Gallbladder Surgery

Just found out that due to gall stones I have surgery scheduled next Wednesday to get my gallbladder removed.

Anybody out there that can shed some light on what I am in for?

Thanks in advance!

 

A close friend of mine had to have his taken out when we were in college.

I remember going to visit him, I believe he bounced back quick.

Good luck! Wish I could be of more help.

 

Be glad its caught early and not infected.
Itll be about 4 1/4"-1/2" inch incisions.
Except to be sore for 2 weeks.
Remember to try and sit and stand straight even though the tension will make you want to lean forward.

 

I have not but I’ve had other surgeries done laparoscopically, which is small incisions and they insert cameras and instruments and squeeze the gallbladder out of your abdomen.

Hopefully that is how yours gets taken out, it is very minimally invasive and quicker recovery than opening you up.

You’ll do fine!!

 

It's not that bad. I had mine removed about 4 years ago. I had an infection and a high fever. They removed mine through my bellybutton. Recovery was fine.

You'll be fine.

 

Had appendicitis and it's a very similar surgery. All done laparoscopically. If this is what happens to you, there is a nerve that is shared with a point on your back. Right lower shoulder blade area. That is the most pain I had, that I can remember. I must commend the hospital for their shameless use of morphine!!! 2.5 days in the hospital and can only recall about 15 minutes

 

Make sure they take your gallbladder, not your testicles.

Sorry, just trying to give you a little laugh. Like others have said, you'll be good to go in no time.

 

What were your symptoms?

 

I was in Texas for five weeks oct/nov last year. Had to leave my gal bladder in exchange for the hundreds of pounds of brisket I ate. Four small holes for the robot to take it out one on top of the belly button. Three on the right center of the torso. Mine was about to burst I was sore for a couple of days back behind a desk two days later. You will have to be careful with the diet as your digestive system adapts then you should be fine.

 

Well...from from posts here it sounds like you should be getting a routine procedure. Routine still sucks but it's good to have some insight on what toexpect. Good Luck!

 

For those who don’t know a full blown gal bladder attack will mirror heart attack symptoms. Shortness of breath chest pressure, left arm numbness, sweats, It feels like three sumo wrestlers are doing the tango on your chest.

 

Any time they stick something inside you isn't routine. I failed to mention my temp spiked at 104.something. wife said they had me packed in ice I don't remember.
From the interweb
After your surgery, it is normal to feel weak and tired for several days after you return home. Your belly may be swollen and may be painful. If you had laparoscopic surgery, you may have pain in your shoulder for about 24 hours.

They put co gas in you to pump you up so they can see.

At most I was uncomfortable. Meds I came home with were top shelf. I was singing with Elvis! The young skinny one, not the old fat one

 

I had mine removed 5 yrs ago. I had a gall stone the size of a large marble! Took my gall bladder out through my Belly button. Not a bad surgery at all.the gall stone attacks were much worse than the surgery.You will be fine.

 

Been there done that. Can’t remember how many years ago it was, maybe 7-8. Went pretty easy, few days of being sore and was back to work the next week.

You’ll have to be careful with your diet. Really fatty or greasy foods will pretty much run through you, ha.

 

Hate to hear that and prayers for you! I had my appendix removed 16 years ago and if their similar you'll be back on your game in a month or less

 

Thank You All!!

 

Just had mine taken out on Friday. Went in on Thursday afternoon after my 5th attack and before you know it i’m being wheeled to the OR. Overall not thrilled with how it all went down. Didn’t get to go home to see my kids (I understand, the hospital wants to get the thing out) and barely saw my wife for 10 minutes. Didn’t get to choose the surgeon and surgeon dropped a clip so now I have an extra one floating around. Wake up with hives every morning which is a little alarming and a bit of nausea and lightheadedness (has been getting better with each day though). Hopefully these resolve themselves.

This is spot on. Couldn’t have described it better myself. Had 5 attacks since January. First three i’d just walk around until I fell asleep from exhaustion, would wake up the next day feeling fine. Episode 4 lasted a couple of days and one vomit, the 5th was vomiting almost immediately and then straight to the hospital.

 

Well - if you had 5 attacks, no wonder they “rushed” you into it.

Simply put - it’s very minor surgery with a very real risk if you put it off. People die of pancreatitis - way more than have any complications from gall bladder surgery.

I Put mine off once - 2nd attack pretty much as you said - I was pushed into surgery after being laid up for 6 days waiting on pancreas and liver to recover. Didn’t give me a choice as they knew I’d likely blow it off again.

The surgery itself - piece of cake. Home day after and probably could have been outpatient if not for the issues with the gall stones.

 

I had mine out in 2008.

Was living alone, woke up in the middle of the night with bad stomach pain.

Went to work the next day, went to hospital and scheduled surgery.

No way I was going through that again, or risking something more serious like pancreatitis.

Surgery was scary for me (only surgery with exception of vasectomy).

Biggest issue is I couldn't pee, was threatened with catheterization which definitely freaked me out.

Thankfully they did not have to do that.

Rest, and sleep, over the next few days.

I remember the pain meds well and how quickly their effects were reduced...that scared me a bit, too.

SPP

 

OK, there are camps, where Gall Bladder removal is a last resort.
My brother (Stanford MD ) is one of them.
Reason? It can cause other issues like for life diarrhea.
Gall bladders fail for a few reasons.
1. they pump too fast and produce too much gall.
2. they get clogged up and become infected.
If a gall bladder can be recovered by cleansing types of diets and OTC supplements, your way ahead and recovery is fast.
If the gall bladder is beyond recovery, then you remove via micro surgery which is less evasive and recovery is a week or two.
Make sure you get two opinions always when surgery is stated.
My wife had her gall bladder removed and the pain subsided but, she still had to modify her diet quite a bit.
Good luck.

 

Thanks again Everybody! I do have to say it’s been a while since and as people have mentioned it’s all about diet now. Fried foods go right through me and it’s weird as I still will have pain on the right side once in awhile but nothing near the pain of the gallstone attacks. Hopefully this thread helps somebody here going through the same as issues!