surgery before trip - am I crazy? UPDATED!!!!

[poohmom3]

I should be happy that we're at the 2 week point, but instead I'm worried. Long story short, I found out Tuesday that I have to have my gall bladder removed. The earliest the surgeon could do it is May 25 - We leave on for WDW on May 29 The doc and other people I've talked to said the surgery isn't that bad and I should be recovered enough in time to make the trip, but I'm really worried. Darn it why didn't I get trip insurance.

Has anyone else every faced this situation before? Am I crazy for thinking I'll be okay for the trip? I know I'm not going to cancel (unless there are complications from surgery) so I guess I just need some reassuarance that everything will be okay.

 

[NotUrsula]

If your dr. says you should be able to go, then you should be able to go. I had a similar situation last spring (different surgery, though) and I went. Other than carefully following my dr.'s instructions and asking special questions related to certain activities, the only other precaution I took was to get a Rx for extra pain meds just in case, and to carry my Dr.'s phone numbers with me at all times.

 

[chia92]

I had gall bladder surgery a little over a year ago and it was a day surgery. I was tender for the next 2 days but by day 3 I was practically back to normal. You should be fine! Enjoy your vacation. I wish I was going now but I have 4 months to go! Will September ever come! LOL!

Good Luck!

 

[redskiesx25]

My brother (15 yrs old) had his gall bladder out in late december (right after christmas) now i kno we didnt go to wdw right after...but he was fully recovered within three to four days. And plus, if your doctor says its okay, it must be okay!

Hope i helped!

-Ps- Good Luck With Your Surgery!

 

[evilqueenfan]

Sent you a PM

 

[HaleyB]

These new day surgeries amaze me. I have a cronic condition and go under the knife often. In the last five years or so I have noticed a huge reduction in recovery time (I thought it would go the other way). So I agree that you should be okay. Just keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with using a wheelchair if you need to, or even if it just helps. Plus I would rather be in pain in WDW than in my bedroom, so even if you don't feel great there is no reason not to go (unless your Dr says so)
Best wishes, have a wonderful trip!

 

[poohmom3]

Thank you all for your reassurances (Especially the PM, Elisabeth!) I'm feeling much more confident about making the trip now. I guess one good thing is I can delegate my 3 teens to do all the packing, house cleaning, etc. while I sit and recover

 

[laurenk]

I REALLY don't want to burst your bubble, but if you can, I would try and postpone your trip by at least a week. Call WDW and explain your problem. I think you are cutting it pretty close, and probably won't enjoy your vacation very much. I unexpectedly had to have a drainage tube thingie put in, and then had to go have it removed @ 4 days after surgery. I also think that even without the tube, a vacation would not have been a good idea after the surgery. You really fell pretty week after it(and I was in VERY good shape prior to that surgery).

Whatever you decide, PLEASE take care of yourself, and Enjoy!!!

 

[Serenity]

Plan on getting a wheelchair, even if you get there and find you feel well enough and won't need it. Often times people feel that they are stronger than they are and end up overdoing it and have a relapse. That is especially true at Disney since there is soooo much you are going to want to do. So for the first day or so, get a wheelchair and sit back and let those teenagers push you.

I am unsure if you need a note from you Doctor for the chair so get one just in case. Even if you find that you don't want one, it is better to be safe and have the note, just in case.

 

[SueM in MN]

I am unsure if you need a note from you Doctor for the chair so get one just in case. Even if you find that you don't want one, it is better to be safe and have the note, just in case.

You don't need a note from the doctor to rent a wheelchair. You can rent them at each park (limited number, but usually available). The cost is $7 plus $1 deposit (according to the Disney website). They also have motorized scooters (ecvs) for rent at the parks. Those are limited availability and are often all rented out if you get to the parks later in the day. The cost for those is $30 a day plus a $10 deposit.
Also, a limited number of wheelchairs are available (no reservations) at the WDW resorts for loan during your trip. Some people have reported good luck, others have found there were none available, or the available ones were not the right size or not in the greatest condition. People have reported it took anywhere from a few minutes to a few days to get a better one.

 

[alien]

I don't know how bad your situation is with your gallbladder, but could you postpone the surgery until after your trip? (I knew about my gallbladder for about 8 years and then had it done only when I absolutely had to. ) The risk you'll run is if you get an attack and need emergency surgery.
Most surgeries do go well, but there always can be complications such as infection. If you have the laparoscopic surgery done, you will also have about 10 staples in your abdomen for about a week. If you do to Disneyworld, you may have to have them removed while you are there.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

I would either postpone the surgery or the trip. It mustn't be too bad if they are waiting all that time, so I would have them reschedule the surgery.

When I had mine out, I felt yukky for a week...some people feel great, others don't. You should be having a follow up appointment too, so I am surprised that your doc said you could go. And if you do go, I wouldn't go swimming or to the water parks with an incision that is only a few days old, even that little one can get infected.

 

[Micca]

Hi Poohmom, we're neighbors Welcome to the Dis
If you decide to go through with the trip, be sure your family knows you might need to take some breaks, and they may have to pamper you a bit. Good luck with everything

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Unless you're having a lot of pain and/or problems with your gall bladder, I would also postpone the surgery until you get back. A friend of mine just had her's removed, a month ago. She had it done laproscopically (I know I spelled that wrong! ). She had to spend one night in the hospital. She felt ok, but not great the first few days. The anesthesia, alone, takes a couple days to get out of your system. She also had soreness, in a couple of the incisions, for about a week. She was out of work for two weeks, and her doctor told her if she needed one more week, it was up to her. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!

 

[i wish al was here]

first off good luck with your sugery and make many memories on your vacation.....
now, this reminds me of something that happened to me and my mom. Two days before we were going to leave for Disney, my mom was trimming the bushes outside of our home, i wasn't home when she was doing it. when i got home there was a note on the door saying that she had gone to the hospital. i went to the hospital and there she was in the emergency room, she had cut her finger very badly, and was in a large amount of pain, this all happened on her right hand; she is right handed. she got it all stiched up, but really was not sure about going to wdw, because she couldn't get it wet, couldn't move it, and had to get the stiched removed in two weeks. she had her doubts but we went to disney anyway, she got the stiches taken out in disney, and swam with her had in a plastic bag. we had the time of our lives!!

Good Luck,
Courtney

 

[Jaklackus]

Originally posted by laurenk
I REALLY don't want to burst your bubble, but if you can, I would try and postpone your trip by at least a week. Call WDW and explain your problem. I think you are cutting it pretty close, and probably won't enjoy your vacation very much. I unexpectedly had to have a drainage tube thingie put in, and then had to go have it removed @ 4 days after surgery. I also think that even without the tube, a vacation would not have been a good idea after the surgery. You really fell pretty week after it(and I was in VERY good shape prior to that surgery).

Whatever you decide, PLEASE take care of yourself, and Enjoy!!!

Just double check your insurance and what it will and won't cover out of area..'just in case' ....there is always the chance that you will need the drainage tube or the risk of infection. Have copies of your prescriptions and a copy of your Dr's phone numbers on hand.

 

[fairytinkerbell]

I feel bad for you!! You should be looking forward to your trip and this had to try to spoil it!!!! Let's look at your options before you make any decisions..

1. First, How serious is it?? Ask your doctor if you can wait until you return from your trip. If you can wait, (it's only a matter of 3 weeks, right?) then you enjoy your trip- the only thing is - will u be able to enjoy your trip 100% or with this gall bladder situation be on your mind???

2. **WAIT A MINUTE! WHY CAN'T U GET THE SURGERY DONE RIGHT AWAY??? LIKE THIS COMING WEEK?? WHY DOES HE HAVE TO DO IT SO CLOSE TO YOUR TRIP?? Today is May 16th, if he does it this coming week- you'll be all set for your trip and nothing changes!!!!!

If he doesn't have time, can he recommend another excellent doctor?????

3. If you do end up having the surgery on May 25th (try to move it up!) and still go to Disney May 29th, the 3 day recovery time you have u should be IN BED
RESTING FULLY and taking excellent care of yourself. Even though it's a day surgery and most people are back to normal, I think if you totally nurse yourself and get good rest for those 3 days you will have A MUCH BETTER CHANCE at
really feeling 100% better for your trip on the 29th. Plus did u ever hear mind over body?? While you're recovering-tell yourself that u feel GREAT and up to speed. Supposedly, your subconcious doesn't know the difference between what's real and not real. So if u tell your concious those thoughts ur body will believe it's the truth and act as such***

Think about it.*** I think my plan makes a lot of sense. Again, try to move up the surgery to an earlier date - that way time is on your side.

Let us know what you can do and if u speak w/ your doctor tomorrow or today- post it and see if he can move up the surgery to earlier day **

We're cheering for you!!

 

[frankiemom]

I had a lap to remove my gallbladder and even though it was not that bad, I could not even take my son back and forth to school for a week! I would definitely postpone the surgery til you come back if you think you can do it physically. The last thing I would have wnated to do is walk around Disney 3 days after my surgery! Also keep in mind most people can have it done using the lap but there is always a chance that they will have to open you which means a much longer recuperation period.

 

[poohmom3]

You all have given me a lot to think about. The teens and I are going to have a heart to heart after my DD gets home from work.

Originally posted by alien
I don't know how bad your situation is with your gallbladder, but could you postpone the surgery until after your trip? (I knew about my gallbladder for about 8 years and then had it done only when I absolutely had to. ) The risk you'll run is if you get an attack and need emergency surgery.

The doc doesn't want me to postpone it because of the number of gall stones (I know this is gross) he's afraid it will turn into pancreatitis. He told me that if I have another attack I need to go back to the ER and have emergency surgery.

Orginally posted by Serenity
Plan on getting a wheelchair, even if you get there and find you feel well enough and won't need it. Often times people feel that they are stronger than they are and end up overdoing it and have a relapse. That is especially true at Disney since there is soooo much you are going to want to do. So for the first day or so, get a wheelchair and sit back and let those teenagers push you.

Good idea! This is one of the things we are going to talk about this evening. I think I'll bring extra money for the ECV.

Orginally posted by Tinkerbell'sMOM
You should be having a follow up appointment too, so I am surprised that your doc said you could go.

I've made my follow appt for June 7, the day after we get back. He said the only issue would be my stitches may start itching (he's not using staples) and that I can't swim.

Originally posted by Jaklackus
Just double check your insurance and what it will and won't cover out of area..'just in case' ....there is always the chance that you will need the drainage tube or the risk of infection. Have copies of your prescriptions and a copy of your Dr's phone numbers on hand.

Another good idea! I checked and it will cover anything as long as they have permission from my primary care physician.

Originally posted by fairytinkerbell
**WAIT A MINUTE! WHY CAN'T U GET THE SURGERY DONE RIGHT AWAY??? LIKE THIS COMING WEEK?? WHY DOES HE HAVE TO DO IT SO CLOSE TO YOUR TRIP?? Today is May 16th, if he does it this coming week- you'll be all set for your trip and nothing changes!!!!!

I'm going to call Monday and see if I can do this. If not not I'm going to keep things as scheduled and if complications do happen then and I don't recover like I should then I guess we'll just have to cancel our trip.

Originally posted by Micca
Hi Poohmom, we're neighbors Welcome to the Dis

Hi Micca It's nice to know I'm not the only Diser in good ole' Wichita!

Thank you all for the advice and Pixie Dust I'll keep you updated.

 

[Desnik]

I just wanted to share 2 stories with you.

First, my uncle had this surgery and he had a trip planned. He goes to Fl. every year with my dad for Yankee spring training. Anyway, his surgery was set for the day he was suppose to leave. He changed his flight to the late evening. He had the surgery in the morning and was on the plane to Fl. that night! He had some pain meds with him and said he felt fine. We all thought he was crazy!! Anyway, he was fine, no complications.

I recently had this surgery. Almost 4 weeks ago. I was in and out same day. They make 4 incisions. I like you had stones, more than 6. I was having pain. I told my surgeon this and he had me in surgery within 3 days. You need to stress that you are in pain and they will most likely move up your surgery. The first 2 days were bad. You really don't get back to normal for about a week. I still had to wear loose fitted clothing the 2nd week because the incisions were still soar. They are still not all healed, but they don't hurt anymore. You have to really take it easy the first 4 days, no driving, or baths, etc. That's if there are no complications. When they get in there it may be worse than they thought. They may need to do more than just remove the gall bladder.

My advice would be to do everything you can to have the surgery sooner. If you are not in pain, then make it for when you return. If neither is possible then I will be sending you some pixie dust that the surgery goes smoothly. Please just take it easy the first couple of days of your trip.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions about the operation and recovery.

Good luck.