Went n at 6:3 AM, with my roomate Steve as my designated driver. Was preped and IV inserted, My pastor came and prayed for me and met my dr. Dr. Kodama) The anisteologist said I'm slipping you a cocktail. -----
I awale about 90 minutes later, Dr. Kodama says it went perfect and was a lap. Thank god it was a lap. He said if all goes well I'll be out in an 2 hours.
Well they wanted me to urinate before leaving. Here the problem occurs, I could not void. They sent me to a room. Hooked up two more bags of fluid, still no luck. Around 3 PM they drained my bladder with a catheter (OUCH). Then about 30 minutes after the drain, it started working again. They said when I could produce 30cc an hour, I could go. By 6 PM resident dr came by examined me and ordered my release. Got home at 7PM. Tried to sleep but due to fluid overload had to void every 30 minutes till 5AM the next day. A horrible night. A bit sore but taking no narcotics, perceset was given but dont need it. I was surprised that no antibiotic was given.
____
Today I have had 2 two hour naps and many calls from frends and family. Throat is sore from antisetic. Will take bandages off tomorrow morning. Roomate has two ictures the dr gave hin, I have yet to look at them.
____
Two weeks off from work on disability was approved, 3 if I need it. Follow up appt is next wednesday, stitches dissolve on their own.
___
Eating soup, cottage cheese, vegatables, very low fat.
___
No bowell movement first day. Basically sore and tired.
___
Not bad so far. But what complications are waiting for me????
__________________

Congratulations! You went through with it after all! Sounds to me like you did very well. Everyone must be able to "pee" before they are allowed to leave the hospital so that wasn't surprising. As for antibiotics, you received them in your IV line while you were there and if the surgeon thought you needed more, he'd have prescribed them.

If you notice a slightly elevated temperature for a few days, it's NOTHING. It must be over 101 before the doc's get concerned. I know because it happened to me and I talked to the surgeon. Within another day, it was gone. This is normal.

As for other complications, you'll have to wait and see. My advice is not to anticipate anything at all, but understand that you could have some assorted pains and discomforts along the way. Again, totally normal and this is true for several months. Some doctors say it can take a year to get used to life without a gall bladder, or even longer.

But I wouldn't worry if I were you...you were in and out of the hospital quickly and if you don't overdo it at first, you'll be fine. Your body will let you know if you've done too much too soon. You should be able to drive in a couple of days so long as you can wear your seat belt and move around enough to see out of the windows. Since you are not taking the prescribed pain meds, you can drive as soon as you are comfortable.

I know we are all relieved to hear that you made it through. See, it wasn't so bad, was it???

Congratulations, farscape, glad you went through with it. Sounds like the worse is definitely behind you. Even if it does take you longer than usual to recover, remember few things are worse than a gallbladder attack!

I certainly wish your recovery goes Well !!

Congrats farscape. I just got back form my week's post op. Everything's fine, no pain. I can eat whatever so he says. Rest is important because I was a little tired when I got back. The kicker is I had gallstones. None of the tests, adominal or HIDA showed stones. I'm still baffled. I was told GB was only functioning at 11%. I'm really losing a lot of faith in diagnosis. It's a crap shoot with these DRs. I put myself in God's hands.

Success, first bowell movement today since surgery, good to know stuff still works. Still sore, got brave and took of bandages as dr requested. Incisions look to be healing fine, no leakage or puss, just sore. Next wednesday is my follow up visit.

Hooray - you sound like you're doing very well considering all you've been through! :bouncing:

Katie G

A couple of concerns. I have 4 incisions, a friend of mine at work had the same surgery and he only has 3 holes. Why did I get an extra hole? Any comments?
__________
I still notice a similar pressure when eating that I had before the surgery, I thought it would go away. So I suspect something is still up. Phantom pains perhaps?

Hi,
You may notice phantom pains & pressure for up to a month after surgery, before all the gas is worked out of your system, and your organs have a chance to heal. Remember your insides have been through a terrific ordeal and pain can take awhile to truly subside. As far as incisions, I can't remember how many I had (3 or 4?) and the scars are barely visible. Four years after GB removal ('97), I had Nissan fundoplication, so I had new lap scars very near the GB ones. I think it just depends on your surgeon how many holes he makes.

Don't worry so much - you're looking for trouble that isn't there :angel: You'll be fine, but please keep posting if you have additional concerns about recovery. Be patient and rest!!!!!!!

Katie G

Anyone else have problems wearing belts for a few weeks after. I am overweight and i just cant see myself with suspenders. Scary thought.

I wore it below the naval incision!! But, it still got irritated. It is just a bad area for us overweight people!!
I wish you well---Harry