What can I expect AFTER Gall Bladder Surgery?

[SillyMe]

Ok, I am going to tell the story with as little details as possible:

1) Thought the doctor did something wrong because of the pain
2) went back in for an exam
3) does the word impacted mean anything to you?
4) wanted to die. Especially because my doctor was a total hottie.

Ok, that's enough to scare y'all into getting up and walking around and taking stool softeners as needed.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I thought most people have the opposite problem after the surgery? I really don't want to have this done now.

Trust me what I say it was much easier to go to the bathroom after my gall bladder surgery than it was to go after my c-section!! Completely under vs. no feeling from the neck down... (I had a complete spinal with my c-section) I'd take the completely under any day!

 

[Virgo10]

Going in for my surgery in the AM. Prayers and pixie dust would be much appreciated!

Gifts of flowers and Depends can be sent directly to the hospital or to our room at OKW!

Thanks!

You are in my thoughts.

T&B, glad to hear everything went well for you. To keep things, umm, moving along don't forget to drink a lot of water. I was walking around as soon as they would let me out of bed at the hospital. With back problems, the worst thing I can do is lay in bed.

The only difficulties I'm still having are with high fat foods. While I don't have to sprint to the bathroom, I want it to be close by. Not everything with fat in it gets to me, it has to be high fat like an ice cream frappe. Yeah, won't be doing another one of those babies for a while.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't eat a lot of high fat foods in general. Some, but not large quantities.

I don't think that I mentioned it on this thread, but when I went in for my pre-op physical on Monday my internist asked if I'd lost weight recently. In the past, oh, maybe 9 months (maybe a year) since I started taking Topamax for migraine prevention I've lost over 20 pounds. That's not tons of weight, but depending on which scales, I only weigh about 125 pounds at the most now (less on my scales), so that's a pretty big weight loss percentage. Anyway, she said that weight loss can trigger gall bladder problems, which would explain why mine acted up now after not giving me problems all these years (I had stones when pregnant with my 7yo).

 

[mickeyfan2]

T&B glad to see you are back DISing and are doing well.

 

[Virgo10]

I don't think that I mentioned it on this thread, but when I went in for my pre-op physical on Monday my internist asked if I'd lost weight recently. In the past, oh, maybe 9 months (maybe a year) since I started taking Topamax for migraine prevention I've lost over 20 pounds. That's not tons of weight, but depending on which scales, I only weigh about 125 pounds at the most now (less on my scales), so that's a pretty big weight loss percentage. Anyway, she said that weight loss can trigger gall bladder problems, which would explain why mine acted up now after not giving me problems all these years (I had stones when pregnant with my 7yo).

That's really interesting. I was on a diet when this happened. From 4/06 through my first attack in October I had lost 14 pounds. I may have had GB problems all along as I can remember the same type of pain waaay back when I was pregnant with my son, some 31 years ago.

My Ex also had his first GB attach after shedding 20+ pounds back in the
70's.

It sure looks like there's a connection between weight loss and GB problems.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

That's interesting T&B because usually it is being overweight that can be a contributing factor to gall bladder issues.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Between my recent weight loss and pregnancy they're pretty sure the combo of the two caused mine. I lost 80 pounds then I got pregnant. LOL. Thank god it's gone though! The only problem I have now is when I eat fattier things I have a slight tummy ache and then bathroom look out!

 

[momrek06]

Bumping for any news on my sweet CLARABELLE!!!


T&B, so glad to hear your surgery went well and you are back home resting!!! Take it easy and have everyone in the house wait on you!!

Yikes, I am getting scared as both my parents and one sister has all had their gb out and now I have another sis that is having some issues to the point that she is so afraid to eat anything and when we go out to eat she basically has a salad with no dressing. I told her to get herself checked out and get the darn thing out.

ANYWAY, Clarabelle, if you come on and I am not on PLEASE PLEASE PM me!!!

Disney is calling your name, doll....!!!!!!!!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Bumping for any news on my sweet CLARABELLE!!!


T&B, so glad to hear your surgery went well and you are back home resting!!! Take it easy and have everyone in the house wait on you!!

Yikes, I am getting scared as both my parents and one sister has all had their gb out and now I have another sis that is having some issues to the point that she is so afraid to eat anything and when we go out to eat she basically has a salad with no dressing. I told her to get herself checked out and get the darn thing out.

ANYWAY, Clarabelle, if you come on and I am not on PLEASE PLEASE PM me!!!

Disney is calling your name, doll....!!!!!!!!

From my research it does seem to "run" in families. Could be the genes, family diet or a little of both. Plus being a female makes it more common. In my family both of my grandmothers had it out as did my mom and her sister. My mom's brother has it bad, but won't have it removed. He really suffers with it.

I had a ultrasound today to see if I might be getting it. I have abdominal bloating and had a fever last week (both are symtoms). But I don't seem to have the normal pains associated with it. I am a little concerned, since the tech who did it spent more time looking in another part of my abdomin than where the GB is. My Dr. is hoping that it is the BG, since that would probably be the easiest problem to fix.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That's interesting T&B because usually it is being overweight that can be a contributing factor to gall bladder issues.

I just googled and came up with this...

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/gallbladder/a/dietinggallston_2.htm

Thanks, Kar. I haven't felt too great today, but it might be more from the bad night sleep last night. But I'm just not a daytime napper--I did try!

 

[momrek06]

From my research it does seem to "run" in families. Could be the genes, family diet or a little of both. Plus being a female makes it more common. In my family both of my grandmothers had it out as did my mom and her sister. My mom's brother has it bad, but won't have it removed. He really suffers with it.

I had a ultrasound today to see if I might be getting it. I have abdominal bloating and had a fever last week (both are symtoms). But I don't seem to have the normal pains associated with it. I am a little concerned, since the tech who did it spent more time looking in another part of my abdomin than where the GB is. My Dr. is hoping that it is the BG, since that would probably be the easiest problem to fix.

I think you are right, as my mom had her's out years ago. Then dad started having issues and was acting exactly like your mom's bro, my dad would have a terrible attack, actually end up in ER for pain meds and then when the attack was over, he dismissed the whole episode, all the while mom is saying.."you need your gb out"...after THREE severe episodes, he finally agreed. I am not sure what really happened but he was scheduled for the LAP and while in the process of doing the LAP, they (MD's) had to STOP and do the full blown surgicial procedure. He was so INFLAMED and INFECTED (as I am recalling as this was a few years ago) and man, his recovery was so long. Then older sis had her's out, LAP procedure and now my other sis is having issues........I think it is only a matter of time for me BUT so far no issues but because it is a topic of dicussion in our house, I am very careful what I eat esp as far as fried foods and fast foods.

BG...

 

[Tigger&Belle]

BG...

I think a typo... GB However, we could make up things......

 

[momrek06]

I just googled and came up with this...

http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/gallbladder/a/dietinggallston_2.htm

Thanks, Kar. I haven't felt too great today, but it might be more from the bad night sleep last night. But I'm just not a daytime napper--I did try!

Ahhh...T&B, good to see you. I am so hoping this will all be behind you SOONER than later. Hang in there, babe!!! Here are some flowers for you,


ETA: Tig, wow, I just went back and read that article on dieting and gallstones etc and wow, that is pretty amazing...to think after someone loses some weight to get healthy, they basically, I guess for lack of a better word.."shock" their gb's and then they end up having attacks and out they have to come. Interesting article everyone, please read.

 

[Virgo10]

Thanks for posting that article. I never thought my diet would cause the GB problems. No one in my family has ever had theirs out.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I read somewhere else that a person can take medication while dieting (the one that starts with a "U"--forgot the name, but it's the one that breaks up stones), but it's expensive that might eliminate the stones from forming. But obviously a person has to anticipate a problem.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

momrek06, How was your dad's recovery? I just got off the phone with my mom, and my dad will be having his removed tonight or early tomorrow. His is too large to do a LAP, and this really just sprung up on us he never really complained of problems until about 1 week ago. I have got some reading to do, this is a long thread.

 

[momrek06]

momrek06, How was your dad's recovery? I just got off the phone with my mom, and my dad will be having his removed tonight or early tomorrow. His is too large to do a LAP, and this really just sprung up on us he never really complained of problems until about 1 week ago. I have got some reading to do, this is a long thread.

No, my dad NEGLECTED himself. He had so much infection around the gb. He had THREE, that I am aware of, horrible attacks. He would be in so much bent over horrible pain, complain and complain to my mom before HE would allow her to take him to the ER. After the 3rd attack (and these were months apart) mom said, next attack, I am DOING NOTHING, you can deal with it yourself. He finally realized he was being a HUGE IDIOT and made the appt. What was confusing is the MD's (Maine Medical Center in Portland (high ranking facility) ) felt dad was a candidate for the LAP. They got him all prepped that early morning and as they began the surgery, and started in with (whatever equipment they use) they noted he was very inflamed in that whole gb area as well as infected. I really believe it was because he let this happen from ignoring the countless attacks ADD UP.

Anyway, dad was 70yo and the recovery was quite lengthy. He was in allot of pain for quite sometime. Five years later he is playing golf daily, lives in Tampa all winter and on the Ocean in Maine all summer. Still mows his own lawns..etc etc...But I will tell you the first time I walked into his room after the surgery I stood there and cried like a baby. I thought he look horrible. But he recovered nicely. And since then, NO MORE PROBLEMS, ever.

And HAPPY, please call me KAR ...(my username is so long)

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Thanks Kar, atleast my dad is active, a little to if you ask his orthpod. After he had his rotater cuff repaired 2 years ago my mom and I had to keep "slipping" him pain meds to keep him from taking my kids to Disney(they were on spring break and they should go ride coasters with him). This time mom is on her own for keeping him on bedrest but if I need to I will be there to "sit" on him. They are in Ocala and went to see the surgeon today who sent him straight to the hospital for preop and surgery ASAP. I let you know how things go. Again thanks!!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I had a ultrasound today to see if I might be getting it. I have abdominal bloating and had a fever last week (both are symtoms). But I don't seem to have the normal pains associated with it.

Good luck with this. I recently had mine out but not due to stones. The ultrasound tech kept looking else where and was trying to diagnose me. I finally got really upset because she was asking all these questions and shaking her head but wouldn't say a word to me. When I left I was convinced I was dying. I'm not a cryer but cried the whole way home.
It turned out that my GB was only functioning at 20%. I still had alot of pain and didn't present like stones. If they don't find anything on the ultrasound ask about a biliary function test. It was painless (except where they stuck the IV in).

T&B, glad to see you recovery nicely!