What can I expect AFTER Gall Bladder Surgery?

[momrek06]

I'm home! Sore as anything but home. I have 4 incisions and the whole procedure took maybe a half hour! I don't remember much of yesterday after they wheeled me back for surgery but so far no tummy issues (crossing fingers).

I wasn't given any instructions about not driving but I sure don't feel like driving anytime soon. DH is off until Monday so I know I won't need to drive until then anyway.

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes! I really appreciate them (extra hugs to KAR!) and am just trying to take things easy. Walking around hurts but I have already climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor and though it hurt I could do it slowly. I won't push it though and will stay downstairs for a couple of days.

I can't speak for the after effects yet but the procedure itself was NO BIG DEAL so don't anyone dread that part! Several of the nurses at the hospital have had their GB out and were telling me the things they still had issues eating - basically greasy and fatty things. I just look at this as an opportunity to keep eating healthier but still enjoying a Dunkin Donut now and then (already had one this AM).

CLARABELLE!!!.. YEAH!!! You are HOME!!!

Okay, Doll, get some rest. Remember, you have allot of plans head of you and you need to get better. Make sure you take it slow, even IF you feel awesome. We do not need any setbacks at all. Rent some movies and just watch movies and tv all weekend.

I am so proud of you!!!

Keep me UPDATED either here on the thread or through PM's!!!

KAR

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Glad you're back and everything is ok! Take it easy.

I was trying to stay away from the pain meds today, but my shoulder pain kicked in a little while ago and my belly was starting to hurt more, so I just took a percocet. I don't want to be hurting so bad that I don't move around any, so figure it's better to take some meds.

I've had a big improvement over yesterday (my worst day) and I hope you have it as easy as me).

 

[momrek06]

Glad you're back and everything is ok! Take it easy.

I was trying to stay away from the pain meds today, but my shoulder pain kicked in a little while ago and my belly was starting to hurt more, so I just took a percocet. I don't want to be hurting so bad that I don't move around any, so figure it's better to take some meds.

I've had a big improvement over yesterday (my worst day) and I hope you have it as easy as me).

AHHH, TIG, so glad that you are doing well also. YUP, I think each day that passes, you will feel better and better. And those FIRST 24-48 hours can be the WORST!!! Hang in there, I hope you are planning a quiet weekend as welll!!

 

[kami2199]

YEAH!!!!! I'm so glad you made it through with no complications! I was thinking about you all day yesterday! TAKE IT EASY and get some rest before your trip!

 

[snowwite]

I was told not to drive for a week, which seems long. I'll play it by ear and my DH told me not to push it, but I don't know that I'll need to wait that long. How long did you all wait to drive (those who had the lap surgery)?

Just until I was off the pain meds. I thnink about 3-4 days. I still cant wear my jeans though and my surgery was 12/12. How are you feeling?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

AHHH, TIG, so glad that you are doing well also. YUP, I think each day that passes, you will feel better and better. And those FIRST 24-48 hours can be the WORST!!! Hang in there, I hope you are planning a quiet weekend as welll!!

Well, kinda sorta. My DD's college roommate is spending the weekend with us, so we will have an extra person, but she has been warned. And lately I haven't much cared what image I present, so I'm not doing much around the house other than some straightening that I still need to do. Guess there's a good and a bad side to my current attitude.

Just until I was off the pain meds. I thnink about 3-4 days. I still cant wear my jeans though and my surgery was 12/12. How are you feeling?

Still can't wear your jeans? I'm so swollen now, but I was just assuming that it won't last long.

I did have to take pain meds this afternoon--was feeling a lot better this morning, but not so great this afternoon. The shoulder pain has been pretty bad--often worse than the incision pain.

 

[Virgo10]

Clarabelle... glad to see things went well. Be sure to take it really easy for at least a week. I agree that driving is OK once you're off the pain medication but don't be an idiot like I was and attempt a long shopping trip.

Be good to yourself and give your body a chance to heal.

 

[mickeyfan2]

CCF glad to see you are back DISing and all went well.

 

[SillyMe]

Glad to see you're doing well!

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

Thanks everyone!

Just up for some dinner and DISing for a few minutes. Question - is there any way to get comfortable to sleep?? I am NOT a back sleeper but find that is the only way I am not in pain. I would so love to sleep on my side like usual - have any of you been able to find a comfy position using pillows to prop you up?

Thanks!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Thanks everyone!

Just up for some dinner and DISing for a few minutes. Question - is there any way to get comfortable to sleep?? I am NOT a back sleeper but find that is the only way I am not in pain. I would so love to sleep on my side like usual - have any of you been able to find a comfy position using pillows to prop you up?

Thanks!

Do you have a recliner? I was much more comfortable sleeping in that then in bed. Glad things went well. Now rest up!!

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

Get well soon! Best of Luck!

 

[Nutsy]

Sillyme and Eeyore'sthebest I'm with you guys on the pain...tho I do get a bit under the breast.. but mainly it's in the back.. I have had it right around on two occasions as well.

The back seems to be more of a constant pain, where the others come and go..

Been to the doc and he is not into doing anything about it at this stage. I have medication to take when I have pain and it's also a muscle relaxant he said.. so it should ease the pain.

Mine stones were discovered quite by accident.. I was having abdominal pain and was sent for an Ultrasound scan to see if they could find what was causing the pain... nothing showed up.. they checked everything and then as a last resort they checked up higher and low and behold they found 3 gall stones.

In some ways I'd like to have the gall bladder removed and hope to have no further pain, but in another way.. I'd rather not have the surgery and hope that the pain stays away.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Nutsy, get it removed. No more pain!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Thanks everyone!

Just up for some dinner and DISing for a few minutes. Question - is there any way to get comfortable to sleep?? I am NOT a back sleeper but find that is the only way I am not in pain. I would so love to sleep on my side like usual - have any of you been able to find a comfy position using pillows to prop you up?

Thanks!

Someone suggested to me that I sleep with a pillow between my legs, which is what I've been doing. I might not even need that tonight. Really the first night was the only bad night, but part of that was the fact that I think my kidneys must have started working right again and I was up peeing very often AND my DH elbowed me during the night a couple times and was snoring a lot. Last night was a lot better and hopefully tonight will be ok.

Just have some extra pillows--one for between your legs and another to help prop you up a little and see how it goes. Last night I told my DH that I was going to sleep on the sectional recliner if I had trouble again. My problem is that we have cats that would have kept me company.

 

[Nutsy]

Nutsy, get it removed. No more pain!!!

I agree with you, just wish Doc did as well. His opinion is that unless it's really, really painful and either continuous or comes and goes within short periods of time, then he doesn't see the need to have it removed.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Thanks everyone!

Just up for some dinner and DISing for a few minutes. Question - is there any way to get comfortable to sleep?? I am NOT a back sleeper but find that is the only way I am not in pain. I would so love to sleep on my side like usual - have any of you been able to find a comfy position using pillows to prop you up?

Thanks!

I either stayed in the recliner, or in the corner of the sectional sofa.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Glad both of you are doing well!! One of you mentioned not having tummy issues yet. When I had mine out I really didn't have the "I must find a bathroom NOW" issues for about a month. I remember telling a friend of mine who had hers out "I really have had no going problems, I'm having some not going problems" and she said "just you wait". Sure enough.......they started about a month or so afterwards. So please watch what you eat, and for the first time or two you eat something greasy/fatty--stick close to a bathroom!

 

[Virgo10]

*Sigh* This is the first bad day I've had stomach wise. Eh, I figure anyone on here won't mind me being graphic so let me just say I am very gassy. Started this morning, then went away for a few hours. Now it's back and it reminds me of a regular gallbladder mini attack.

I understood why I felt bad this morning. The meal I had last night had broccoli in it. Probably not a good idea. But for it to get better and then worse again has me concerned. I even reverted back to my pre surgery potato and rice meal for lunch.

Not running to the bathroom at all, just gas pains in my upper and lower abdomen. Anyone have one of this episodes after GB surgery? I just want it to stop!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Glad both of you are doing well!! One of you mentioned not having tummy issues yet. When I had mine out I really didn't have the "I must find a bathroom NOW" issues for about a month. I remember telling a friend of mine who had hers out "I really have had no going problems, I'm having some not going problems" and she said "just you wait". Sure enough.......they started about a month or so afterwards. So please watch what you eat, and for the first time or two you eat something greasy/fatty--stick close to a bathroom!

Oh, no...I was hoping my not going problems and now my, uh, firmer issues meant that I was going to escape. Well all I can say is, "CRAP".

I'd also like to say that I hope the Tag Fairy is not reading this thread and if she is and I get a tag, I will erase it, so please don't try and be cute.

Took me over 48 hours to go and that was with a little stool softener help. Can't believe I'm saying that here. And in case anyone has caught on, yes, the gas thread that my buddy Paige started was for my benefit. I'm still having a lot of shoulder pain and it's been suggested that it would help that if I have more gas... Here's the thread--just please don't out me quite yet. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1323364

Virgo, sorry that you're having a rough day! I hope it's an isolated problem or maybe you have a virus.