So who has had their gallbladder removed and what can I expect

[jamimb]

Please try to encourage me!!!!

 

[kwelch10377]

I have......You will be fine and not having to deal with the pain is sooooo worth it!

I arrived at about 7am and had my surgery around 9:30. When I was done I went to recovery and was home by about 5pm. I had a lot of pain in my shoulder from the gas that they use to inflate you and of course I had abdomen. It hurt the most around my belly button incision. I was able to eat some soup and crackers that night and that is pretty much what I ate for the next 3 days, along with some plain waffles. I took the pain meds the first day, but they really didn't help. One thing to make sure you do is walk around, it helps with the gas pain. A heating pad also helped.I was mostly functional within 5 days and went back to work after a week. I did make the mistake of lifting some things I shouldn't have and about 2 weeks after my surgery I had some pain in my abs, almost like I pulled a muscle.

Eating wise, for the first few weeks I was careful what I ate, sticky mostly to bland food and then gradually adding certain foods in just to see how I would react. I have had no issues with any foods.

If you do a search there are a few threads with people experiences. It seems like almost everyone has gotten or is getting their gallbladder out.

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP, I got mine out last Oct. It is amazing the progress they have made regarding surgery. My late mom had an incision and was off her feet for weeks. Mine was done by laparscophy. I had the surgery & went home on the same day! I was off work for a week. As for diet, I watched the fat for about a month. By Thanksgiving I was able to eat a normal diet. As long as I don't overdo my meals in the fat dept. I am fine. The Creme Brulee at the Garden Grove about did me in when we dined there for Easter dinner this past Spring Break but it was worth it!

Hope yours goes as easlily as mine!

TC

 

[DisneyWitch]

Please try to encourage me!!!!

I had mine out in 2004 - it was a laproscopic surgery - and like a previous poster said, it will be SO worth it to be out of pain.

Having my gall bladder taken out was the best thing that I've ever done and I cannot tell you how wonderful things have been ever since. I don't even miss it!

The surgery was quick, only about an hour for me. I was out of the hospital in a day and back at work in a week. I didn't even have to take anything more exciting than Aleve for pain because it wasn't bad at all.

I wish you much luck, and a very successful surgery!

 

[wdwmom0f3]

I had mine removed in 99 and I was back at work in three days, but I took it easy for about a week. I have not had one single problem since then.

 

[momof1princess]

i had mine removed laparoscopically in 1996. had surgery on a friday morning, went home friday afternoon, and was back at work monday morning-sore, but feeling much better overall. being rid of the gallbladder pain was definitely worth any discomfort i felt for those few days. good luck, OP!

 

[jamimb]

Thanks so much for the positive replies. I have only ever heard horror stories about people having the surgery and not being able to eat for months and even years afterwards so it's encouraging to know that some people have had some good experiences with it.

 

[5 for WDW]

I had my gall bladder removed back in 2000. Three tiny incisions, one night in the hospital and I was back home. Recovery wasn't bad at all. I was back to work after 4 days.

I did not have stones. My gall bladder stopped functioning. So, it was a very welcome relief to be able to eat without getting sick.

Best of luck to you!

 

[krcit]

I also had mine out about 6 years ago. I stayed overnight but could have easily gone home the same day. I was so worried about the gas pain I has heard about that as soon as I could I got up and walked, walked and walked the hallway of the hospital. It must have really helped because I had none of that gas pain. I don't think I took anything for pain other than Tylenol after leaving the hospital. Took it easy for a few days but all in all it was a breeze

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

DW had hers out after a rather ill-fated ohanas dining experience.

thought it was a really bad tummy problem...doctor at WDW said he thought otherwise. she got better, but stayed away from certain foods, just in case.

we came back and a few days after the trip, she got laproscopic. after an overnight stay (required) she was home, and now feels much better after eating.

she does watch what types of food, and limits fried foods, but we did that anyway.

the surgon we got had done about 500 or so of the surgeries, and was very quick.

what can you expect?

it seems to me she said her stomach was a bit sore for a few days, and she did take some antibotics for post surgery.

no driving a car or lifting for a week or so.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I had mine done at Christmas. I was rushed to the ER with the pain and I was SO happy to wake up pain free.

Although I am dieting now, after the surgery I could eat what I want.


Just don't overdo trying to move too much after the surgery. I stayed in the hospital overnight due to infection but once I was home, I had my husband and my mom nearby for three days. Mine was really bad because my gall bladder had failed altogether, but the surgery was a breeze. I took the pain Rx they gave me regularly and I did need it.

It was strange waking up from the surgery with the oxygen tubes up my nose.

 

[traviesojmt]

I have......You will be fine and not having to deal with the pain is sooooo worth it!

I arrived at about 7am and had my surgery around 9:30. When I was done I went to recovery and was home by about 5pm. I had a lot of pain in my shoulder from the gas that they use to inflate you and of course I had abdomen. It hurt the most around my belly button incision. I was able to eat some soup and crackers that night and that is pretty much what I ate for the next 3 days, along with some plain waffles. I took the pain meds the first day, but they really didn't help. One thing to make sure you do is walk around, it helps with the gas pain. A heating pad also helped.

This was pretty much my experience too. Most of my pain came in my shoulder from the gas. I rarely take medication, so between the meds at the hospital and what they gave me to take home I slept most of the first day. My DH would wake me every 2 hours to walk as my Dr strongly encouraged that I walk for 15 minutes every 2 hours. I also strongly encourage the use of the heating pad. I had one that I kept on my shoulder. While the first 2 days were painful and uncomfortable, I am so glad that I had the surgery done and no longer have the pain from my gallbladder.

 

[Tinkh]

I had mine taken out laparoscopically in 96 and I was hanging curtains 2 days later. Mostly, I felt relief and just a hollow emptiness.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I had mine out when I was 17 weeks pregnant with DS. Mine was an easy procedure - surgeon was in and out in less than 30 minutes. Due to my clotting disorder and the pregnancy I was kept overnight for observation but I was fine and was at WDW within a couple of weeks for vacation.

Some friends of mine had warned me that after surgery I wouldn't be able to tolerate greasy foods any longer but I haven't found that to be the case at all. My surgeon told me that he has found that most of his patients that are lactose intolerant find that the surgery somehow "cures" them of that and I have found that to be the case. I used to have to take Lactaid before anything with dairy in it and now I only take it for heavy dairy like ice cream or straight milk.

Good luck!

 

[happily single]

I had mine out in 99 shortly after birth of my son. I had to stay overnight because the hospital couldn't get in touch with my dr to approve my discharge But the following day I was buying and carrying a toddler bed. I haven't had any problems since then, although I have three scars which aren't pretty

 

[JLTraveling]

My mom had hers removed laparoscopically in the mid-90s. We lived about 40 minutes from WDW at the time. She went in late in the evening, had the surgery VERY early the next morning, and was done before we knew it. She had to stay till lunchtime to prove she could eat okay. Ate everything on her tray, got discharged, and was on Splash Mountain before dinner! We only stayed a few hours and skipped the coasters, but she said walking around helped a lot. She did have a couple of hours of the gas pains that night and was sore the next day, but was back at work taking care of psych clients within three days.

 

[Freyja]

I had mine out August 17th. I had the surgery at 8 in the morning and went home around 4 PM. Like some other posters have described I had some bad pain in my shoulder (from all the gas) and my abdomen was very sore. I was able to eat a regular meal that first night and stayed mostly off my feet for the first 3 days. I went back to work a week later and haven´t had any problems since

 

[Tinijocaro]

Surgery in January, no pain whatsoever, can eat anything. Have gained 15 pounds since surgery and don't usually gain weight. I don't think this is the norm according to a poll I made recently on this board.

ETA: Of course, I had post-surgical pain for about 3-4 weeks but I went back to work after two weeks.

 

[nancycg56]

Well, I'm one of the weird people who has to be careful what I eat since surgery or else I pay for it in one way or another.

The surgery was quick and I had no problems. My surgeon did tell me that a certain percentage of people still have gall bladder pain and I do every once in awhile but not nearly as bad as it was!

I have problems eating meat, anything greasy, anything carbonated, salad, sometimes fruit, and sometimes bread. I could eat anything before and now, not so much. I have to be careful when I eat, too. What bothers me the most is that its not ALWAYS the same food.

Such a PAIN in the neck BUT I'll still take it over the gall bladder attacks I used to have!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I had mine out in June. I left the house at 8:15, and I was home in the recliner at 2:30. I had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and couldn't keep anything down the first night, but I was doing okay the next day. I also experienced a pain in my rear, but she flew home after a few days.