Hi Everyone!

Well I did it! I had my gall bladder removed on Wednesday. Today is the first day on my computer, so I guess you could say recovery is a bit slow on my end. Today is also my first day with no pain meds, so I am gradually getting better.
It wasn't as bad as I had worked myself up, but I did receive an extra incision I was never told about....in the middle of where the ribs begin...just under the chest, about an inch long.
I have shooting pain in my shoulders, mostly in the right one, occassionally in the left. Coughing is not fun either!!
I do not have much of an appetite, and I have yet to have a bowel movement (sorry, too much info)
I have trouble walking for any period of time...I get winded and tired very easily.
I get to remove my bandages tomorrow.
All in all, I am the BIGGEST worry wart in the world, but I got through it. I know there are a few of you who have posted who are frightened...this is a natural reaction...it will be ok, I promise you.
I have noticed everyone's recovery is different, so just go at your own pace.
I wanted to thank everyone who posted on my last thread, about being scared about my surgery....
I hope this helps anyone just a little bit. yes there is some pain, but it is manageable. The first couple days being the worst for me.
Good luck to those who are scheduled for surgery, I'm sorry I forgot to write down your names...but I will be thinking of you...
Looking forward to hearing how you all made out!
Take care!

~glorydots

You will do fine -- it just takes time and as you said everyone is different!!

God Bless--- Harry

How long were you in the hospital? Can you give more details of the hospital experience?

I had my surgery on Thursday. It went well, no bad pain, just a pulling when getting up from reclining. I have been eating light, no/low fat as I was before and have had bowel movements. However, I suffer from anxiety and that kicked in big time. I had to go back to ER just to tell me I could have taken my anxiety meds on top of anesthesia and percocet. That was the worse of it, trying to settle the papitations and shortness of breath. Now I am a little weak and sore, but other than that, it wasn't bad.

My next question is what to expect next? Will I be able to eat a regular diet? Will I have bile salts diareeah? Can someone tell me what's next? I waited months for this surgery because of a lack of functioning no stones or inflamation. Now, I'm like what's next?

Hi there post-surgical posters! So glad you got through it so well.

For glorydots, your recovery sounds pretty typical, especially the post-op pain due to the gas you were pumped with to help the surgeon see the organs better.

Jossr - your recovery sounds pretty typical too. Just build up your activity as tolerated. It was probably a good month before I felt 100% again. I started eating whatever I wanted after about a week, when my appetite improved. I was SO scared to try the greasy, acidic stuff, but one week post-op, I had a wet burrito at a local restaurant and felt GREAT!

As far as bile salt diarrhea, it can start anytime after surgery. I want you to understand, bile salt diarrhea will be different than just your garden variety IBS-D. You may also suffer diarrhea for up to one month post-op as your body adjusts to the missing GB. However, if diarrhea continues after 4-6 weeks, you may have bile salt diarrhea - however, remember only 5-10% of GB surgery patients get it. It is a very distinctive problem that will occur during or shortly after meals, be explosive, watery or soupy, and come often without any warning. My bile salt diarrhea stools were bright yellow or light tan from digestive bile. If bile salt diarrhea occurs, several posters have discussed what works for them (including me!).

Good luck to you both on your continued recovery,
Katie G

Hi Everyone,

Well I was released 2 hours after my surgery. As much as I fear hospitals (and I had A REALLY bad experience at that same hospital years ago) I wish that they had kept me in a bit longer. We have a shortage of beds apparently in my city, and as long as you are recovering well from the anesthetic, they send you home.
I had the unveiling of the bandages today and I was really shocked at what I saw. Is it possible for the stitches to be internal? When I touch my skin where the inicisions were, it is hard, but there are no external stitches...just a tiny scab.
I felt worlds better today...however, my fridge decided to break down, so I was up at 8am, cleaning out the fridge, sweeping, mopping...having my super give me a new one and loading it up. my girlfriend came by to take me out for some fresh air and we went by the lake and I felt worlds better. I almost felt guilty for not being at work...but by the time I got home, I was so physically exhausted I felt nauseous. I didn't even really walk...we just sat and talked. Is this normal? I am not used to being so tired so quick. I crashed for about 2 hours and woke up feeling so worn.
You guys were talking about bile salts???? what exactly is this?
I'm sorry if this is too detailed, however I had my first bowel movement in 6 days...and it was pretty normal...and well needed!!!! ;)
I am allowed to have this whole week off work, however there are times I feel extremely guilty for doing this. Should I go back to work, be it half a day? I mean I'm exhausted, but I am also used to keeping busy. Would it be in my best interest to stay home and relax? Day time TV is ANNOYING me!!!!!!!

Thanks for listening YET AGIAN!!

~glorydots

Hi again glorydots. The fatigue is very typical - I felt like I was barely getting through my day for at least 2 weeks. I went back to work after only one week (I was a hospital speech therapist at the time) and had lifting restrictions. Let me tell you, I wish I would have taken more time off. I was SO exhausted by the end of my 6-8 hr. work day, and then still had a 45 minute commute home. I had to lay down for about an hour every day after work - I really didn't feel completely recovered for about 4 weeks. To try to build my stamina, I did just some short walking distances, and each week gradually lengthened my exercise. No sit-ups or weights for at least 3 weeks.

The lumps you feel are normal too. I had a hard knot inside one of my incisions (can't remember which one) too and asked the surgeon about it. He just said it was scar tissue and no big deal.

But rest as you can, because when you go back to work, you may be completely overwhelmed with fatigue very quickly. I know daytime TV can be annoying; how about reading, or other sedantary activities. Don't overdo at home just because you're bored - this can delay your recovery even more.

Good luck to you,
Katie G

Thanks Katie.

I ended up doing a half day at work on Thursday. I was sent home by the president of the company. By the time I got home I just sat on the couch and cried. I am soooo tired!
Anyways I'm back to work full time again on Monday...don't know if I can do it.

All my incisions are hard, but then again it's only been 9 days. I meet with my surgeon on Aug 5th so I can ask him a whole bunch of questions then i s'pose.
Oh, I also have an incision in teh middle of my chest...right before my cleavage. my doctor never even mentioned that I would get cut there, so it was quite the surprise to me when I took my hospital gown off and saw it there. is this normal?
Thanks for all your words Katie...means alot!

~glorydots

Sounds like you went back to work too soon. Many (most?) surgeons authorize about two full weeks from surgery date, or more if needed. I went back to work full time (desk job, but I do have to run around a lot and carry notebooks, etc.), and was not tired at all.

I did rest a lot during my time off, didn't drive for five days after surgery, and then just took short walks each day. I was a tiny bit sore when returning to work but within two days that was essentially gone.

If you go back full time, make sure to take breaks and perhaps go home early for a few days. Good for the company President for letting you leave early last Friday!

Everyone heals at their own pace and there's no point in rushing things -- it's quick no matter what compared to the old style surgery, in which case you'd likely be off work nearly six weeks or more. Good luck.

Glad your surgery was a success. I am going Tuesday with my mom to scheduale her surgery. She is scared but more nervous about the colonoscopy she has to have two weeks after the surgery! She has had acid reflux since 1985. She has been on every type of medicine for it but discontinues their uses because the side efects are worse than the acid reflux itself. For the last three years she has been unable to eat because of pain and anything she does eat runs right through her. Its not just one type of food because, for example, crackers will agree with her one day but kill her the next time. So it's hard to pin point one kind of food. Everyday is different. After much nagging on my part, I got her to go to the Dr. After many tests, the pain was diagnosed to the gallbladder. She has many massive stones and the lining is diseased and inflammed. After getting 3 different opinions, she now realizes it has to come out. The colonoscopy will determine more when it is done. I was with her one time when she had an episode and was doubled over in pain. It was bad and it scared me because the woman actually turned yellow! When I told this to the Dr. she said it was the gallbladder and has to come out ASAP. I would love to hear from anyone who has had the surgery and similiar pain and where the pain was. We thought it was her appendix because that is where the pain usually is. But come to find out it can be there too. She will have LAP as an outpatient. Other than this the woman is very healthy and active. She is only 58. Also tell me about your recovery time and how has eating been after surgery. Thanks for your response.

Well my surgery was tuesday and now its sunday. Eating anything I want at this point. Just had a frappichino with whipped cream. Very high in fat, it used to kill me, but no ill effects other than the caffeine rush. I had one very loose bowell movement on saturday, but bowell movements seem stable. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones, but it might be too eearly to tell.
Still sore and find it difficult to wear a belt. but i have another week of to lounge in my pj's before I have to wear belts at work.

i never had any pain in the lower abdomen....so i can't relate to that.
The gallbladder is not something you want to take lightly, that I have learned.
Your mother turning yellow from the attack is not a good sign. Bile is being trapped inside of her and it could cause the gallbladder to burst.
The doctors are right because stones never go away and the risk to her health is always there. A gallbladder can burst like an appendix...it can cause severe damage....I don't mean to scare you. It needs to be removed.
I have had the surgery and my recovery has been pretty fair.
I cannot eat like I used to. Anything and everything makes me run to the washroom with terrible cramps. But if you ask me, kowing that I will never have another gallbladder attack...well it makes it all worth it.
Your mom will be just fine after her surgery. Sure there are adjustments you have to make, but remind her that the surgery itself and the life she lives after it is nothing to the life she lives now. Gallbladder attacks are terrible. I would never want to feel that kind of pain again. Sacrafices I suppose.
please let us know what happens with your mom, and know that really this is the best thing she could do.

Yankee87:

Sorry to hear about your mom, but one thing struck me -- you said she feels her pain mostly around area of appendix. YES! That happens and is not really abnormal. I had some of that myself and a co-worker said she and four of her close relatives experienced that pain along with other types of pains at various times before they had their gall bladders removed.

I would have discomfort and pain everywhere from upper mid abdomen to upper right abdomen to around the belly button and down to the lower right side near appendix. Sometimes pain was sharp and other times it was nagging and dull. Sometimes pain is felt in the back as well, below the right shoulder blade.

Some folks even feel pain in the abdomen and/or back on the LEFT side and it's STILL gall bladder related!

And discomfort can change in type and intensity from time to time and it's STILL typical of gall bladder. Bottom line, there is NO one totally classic symptom or set of symptoms that everyone has with a bad gall bladder.

Good news that your mom's is coming OUT! She will be SO much better afterwards. Any questions you may have, we're all here to answer!

Hi glorydots - so sorry, I don't have any advice about the incision in the middle of your chest. :confused: Mine were off to the right side and down around my belly button. Call your surgeon if you don't want to wait until the 5th. You have the right to know why you have an incision there.

Katie G

Thanks everyone for your replies! My moms surgery is schedualed for Wed. 28. One other symptom has just come up. GAS! She has never compalined about this in her life but within the last 2 days she cannot take it. Is this part of the whole gallbladder thing? The pain is in the lower abdomen. I know the gallbladder is only part of her problem and the colonoscopy will tell us more. Thanks again!

The new "gas" problem may well be worsened by the gall bladder situation right now because the GB can make all those garden variety digestive complaints worse. But... your mom may still have gas after the surgery so having the GB removed is no cure for that.

My doctor(s) made sure I knew in advance that GB removal is not a cure-all for all things that bother us in the digestive tract -- far from it. In fact, in some people, new things like GERD crop up later on. But...those things can be dealt with and she probably won't experience them, at least not after everything settles down.

Your mom needs to know it takes several months at the least to feel "right" again. Little things pop up now and then but she just needs to accept that. The main thing is to get rid of the diseased gall bladder that can be very serious, not to mention horribly painful.

Yes bad gas is a definite symptom og GB problems, espically after fatty meals. The less fat the less gas generally.

This post is helping me feel better! I went to the surgeon today to meet him and schedule the surgery. I really liked him, we spent a lot of time talking and he ended up discussing my husband's gallbladder/hiatal hernia surgery from 2000 (I felt like a fly on the wall for abit :p ).

Anyway, we went to schedule and he only does these on Monday (he's a vascular surgeon so he does other things on his other days) and they have an opening MONDAY (that's in 4 days!); it took me by surprise, but I'm also thrilled to get this thing out. I asked for pre-surgery valium (Sunday night) because I know I won't sleep. I'm a wuss and take it before I go to the dentist (had 7 crowns done this year so I felt I deserved it).

He told me to take the week off work which threw me! After reading the stuff here, I understand why. I scheduled next Mon-Wed off and then will play Thurs/Fri by ear - I might go in for 3-4 hours to ease myself in - we only live 3 miles from the office so that makes it easy.

I don't have gallstones, just the version that doesn't work at all virtually. Typically, I can eat most anything, but deep fried foods have the potential to send me into an attack. Realistically what should I plan on eating post-surgery while I'm at home? Soups, grilled cheese sandwiches, yogurt, etc? I want to shop on Sunday so I have a lot of quick-fix things at home.

Thanks!

Hi Masonpips.

It sounds to me that you are pushing yourself before you even know the outcome. You actually sound like me!!!!!
As soon as I got out of surgery I told my ride to take me straight to work, I could handle it!!!!
Well the drugs wore off and reality hit. i took 7 work days off and to be honest with you, I could have maybe used more. I had gone back to work 8 days after my surgery and made it half a day. I went home, sat on my couch and cried. Don't push yourself. you are having an organ removed from your body...it is a pretty big deal. the best advice i could offer you is to listen to your body. It has been 15 days since my op...i am starting to feel more like myself, but i feel changes inside me. I don't react the same right now to any kind of food, i tire easily...and I am grumpy because i am tired of feeling "uncomfortable".
Please just take it easy. It's easy to think you will be 100% 3 days later, but really it's not the case. Just let your body heal, and it will gradually. Don't push yourself. 15 days later and sneezing is worse than surgery itself!!!! I went from having an innie belly button to an outtie...and every time I sneeze I have to look down to make sure it's still there! ;)
What most people don't know is that although it is one of the most common surgeries it is also MAJOR surgery. So be gentle with yourself, and please let us know how it goes.
In my thoughts
~glorydots

Katie,
thank you for posting!!!
I talked to several people who know someone who has had the surgery and apparently the incision is normal...which makes me feel normal.
Normal is an odd word to use these days though. Odd feelings inside of my body...almost as if I can feel a difference within. Does that sound dumb? I get odd sharp pains in my chest, my lower abdomen, and everything I eat I basically am taking a chance. Each and every thing affects me differently. I go from extreme to extreme. to loose bowel movements to constipation. I just hope that's what should be expected.
I ahve always been pretty in tune with my body but these past couple weeks anything goes you know???
It's the sharp pains that bother me the most..i don't like to seem in pain or uncomfortable at work....
Oh well....i will get more clarity on the 5th when the doc tells me what is normal and what is nt.
Thank you!!!!
~glorydots

glorydots,
I am 14 days post op for GB and I am experiencing the same things. The first week wasn't bad and gave me a false impression of healing. After eating what I wanted, I was laid up for three days with sharp gas pains. Now I have heartburn even taking the Prevacid. You are right this is going to take some time to heal. Glad that you are here to compare notes.
Jossr

Aahhh, yes -- the sharp pains! I have posted about those elsewhere on this Board. I'm eight weeks post-op and still have strange occurrences. I have been told that we all need to give the healing process at LEAST three to four months, if not more. Some docs say six months to a year for full healing.

But truth is, in general I feel better all the time. It's just the surprise pains/digestive troubles that catch us off=guard. Not to worry, it's ALL "normal" and will eventually settle down.

Yesterday I felt like the GB was back in place again because I had an aching in that region and around to the back. Last night while asleep, I was perfectly fine. Then, making the bed this a.m., it started up again. Perhaps it is merely..... muscle related!

As I've said, just about anything is possible post-op, so unless you feel really sick in some way or run a high fever or have horrible long lasting pains, I wouldn't worry. I've called the doc twice early on about what I thought were frightening little events but was reassured each time. We are tuned in to be looking for trouble post-op because a tiny minority of people have serious problems due to surgery.

I'm not talking about bile salt diarrhea -- that is a major inconvenience but as we know now it can be handled via Questran and/or Colestid if it causes grief. I have learned to expect anything but fear nothing in this recovery phase. You're right, even though the procedure is common and seems easy, it is MAJOR surgery. Laparoscopy is a Godsend, but it also teaches many of us to expect too great a result too soon. After hysterectomy many years ago, I was off work six weeks; after eight weeks I went on a little trip and was exhausted and sore the whole time. I didn't feel "good" until at least 12 weeks -- that's three months AND in hysterectomy you are not messing with your digestion! But what a difference in total -- I'd do this lap chole again in a minute over another hysterectomy!

Just take recovery at your own pace and take care.

Best to wait 3 or 4 weeks before eating anything you want. I did a chinese meal and suffered for it one week post op. Be careful.