Kimberley~
03-15-2006, 02:43 AM
I had my gallbladder out a week and a half ago. After reading some of these posts i count myself lucky. I had heartburn for about a week but found those rolaid soft chews worked wonders.
My concern is the other end. After surgery did anyone get sever diarrhea that is like yellow orangish and quite mucusy. (sounds gross sorry i know) it's also i find has a similar smell to the bile infested pee you get if you get a blockage from a stone.
I'm just concerned as these runs don't seem to go away!!! I know if the food is fatty it seems to make it worse which makes sense given the way the body works now
but did anyone else experience the mucusy runny stools??
My concern is the other end. After surgery did anyone get sever diarrhea that is like yellow orangish and quite mucusy. (sounds gross sorry i know) it's also i find has a similar smell to the bile infested pee you get if you get a blockage from a stone.
I'm just concerned as these runs don't seem to go away!!! I know if the food is fatty it seems to make it worse which makes sense given the way the body works now
but did anyone else experience the mucusy runny stools??
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kehorner
03-15-2006, 08:25 PM
This soon after surgery, you should be trying to avoid all fat. Like eat a total of 2 grams of fat a day. Toast, low fat soup, graham crackers, salad with nonfat dressing, veggies, egg substitute, chicken... Basically, nothing with fat. If the diarrhea continues even with a very low fat diet, your doctor can prescribe medication that will help it. The medicine is specifically designed for diarrhea caused by bile. If you feel better on a very low fat diet, in a week or so you can start very, very slowly adding in small amounts of fat. It took over a month before I was eating normal foods after surgery.
Kimberley~
03-18-2006, 01:55 AM
Thanks for the tip
my doctor never told me this stuff...........they didn't really tell me much at all....they were in a rush to get through 6 gallbaldder removal and 14 other sorta urgent surgeries. so i got very little told to me. didn't have a clue what to expect over it!
anyway they told me i could resume normal diet. YEA RIGHT!!!! i've lost like almost 12 lbs now YIPE in 2 weeks it will be tomorrow CRAZY
i'll see how that goes
my doctor never told me this stuff...........they didn't really tell me much at all....they were in a rush to get through 6 gallbaldder removal and 14 other sorta urgent surgeries. so i got very little told to me. didn't have a clue what to expect over it!
anyway they told me i could resume normal diet. YEA RIGHT!!!! i've lost like almost 12 lbs now YIPE in 2 weeks it will be tomorrow CRAZY
i'll see how that goes
Titchou
03-18-2006, 10:18 AM
OH, no! Can't believe they told you that! No way can you resume a normal diet yet.
I was almost fat free for about a month and then slowly introduced fat back into my diet. Go slow on this and you'll be glad you did. The bile duct that they leave to take over the function of the GB needs time to kick in properly. I did have to give in to a Mexican food craving at about two weeks but I got take out and rbought it home anticipating trouble...good thing I did! Good luck.
I was almost fat free for about a month and then slowly introduced fat back into my diet. Go slow on this and you'll be glad you did. The bile duct that they leave to take over the function of the GB needs time to kick in properly. I did have to give in to a Mexican food craving at about two weeks but I got take out and rbought it home anticipating trouble...good thing I did! Good luck.
kaylingr
03-18-2006, 08:18 PM
Kimberley- so sorry you are having problems post-op too! I posted in another thread. I know the yellow-orange color means that the bile is not engaged. The bile gives stools their brown-green color. Breastfeeding babies often have yellow-orange stools because it is such an efficient food they don't need much bile.
-K.
-K.
Kimberley~
03-18-2006, 08:24 PM
What do you mean it is not engaged?
I have kinda noticed changes depending on what i eat. I'm trying to limit my intake of things with fat but its not that easy......haven't had the money to go grocery shopping so i gotta make due till payday with what i got!!! GAH
So bile not engaged means??
I have kinda noticed changes depending on what i eat. I'm trying to limit my intake of things with fat but its not that easy......haven't had the money to go grocery shopping so i gotta make due till payday with what i got!!! GAH
So bile not engaged means??
kaylingr
03-19-2006, 10:40 AM
I just meant there isn't much bile present. If you're not eating fat, maybe you don't actually need bile so it's not an issue. It's certainly normal for babies.
I had yellow-orange diarrhea when I was back in the hospital, and they were concerned that I didn't seem to be releasing bile, but that was on the house meals- which were very heavy and fatty! I was also back in the hospital because of excruciating pain.
Since I've left the hospital, I haven't had a bowel movement, so I'm not much help there.
-K.
I had yellow-orange diarrhea when I was back in the hospital, and they were concerned that I didn't seem to be releasing bile, but that was on the house meals- which were very heavy and fatty! I was also back in the hospital because of excruciating pain.
Since I've left the hospital, I haven't had a bowel movement, so I'm not much help there.
-K.
jen3175
03-19-2006, 08:52 PM
Kimberly,
Had my GB out on 3/13 after 7 MONTHS of digestion hell! I too am trying to figure out what to eat and all that jazz. My diet had already radically changed 7 months ago, but I was down to a liquid only diet for the last 3 wks. til surgery. I've been eating saltines, ck. noodle soup, white rice and tried a little ck (plain baked - about 1oz. or less), today. I had to have my appendix out as well so my incision under sternum is larger. Doc also moved everything around and took a peek at everything else, I've got pics for my girls. I feel pretty kicked around still and have more pain if I take a full breath. I've also had cramps like I was going to have DH, but would have a little BM. Was feeling better though this morning until I had lunch of white rice & baked ck. After 15 minutes I started having really painful cramps and got very nauseated. For the next 4 hours I was pretty much in the bathroom with DH/Mix or feeling like I needed to. I know that this is to much TMI but, like others that I have read on these boards, I have'nt gotten alot of help from the medical community with anything that's gone wrong over the years and have learned to be VERY Proactive. Please keep me posted so I know how you're doing. How much time did everybody take off of work? I took 2 weeks. I know that it's gonna take a while since my digestion was so screwed up for so long, but these people bringing me blueberry cream cake and hot ck. & cheese salad are gonna kill me!LOL Any words of wisdom from the vets? Thanks :)
Had my GB out on 3/13 after 7 MONTHS of digestion hell! I too am trying to figure out what to eat and all that jazz. My diet had already radically changed 7 months ago, but I was down to a liquid only diet for the last 3 wks. til surgery. I've been eating saltines, ck. noodle soup, white rice and tried a little ck (plain baked - about 1oz. or less), today. I had to have my appendix out as well so my incision under sternum is larger. Doc also moved everything around and took a peek at everything else, I've got pics for my girls. I feel pretty kicked around still and have more pain if I take a full breath. I've also had cramps like I was going to have DH, but would have a little BM. Was feeling better though this morning until I had lunch of white rice & baked ck. After 15 minutes I started having really painful cramps and got very nauseated. For the next 4 hours I was pretty much in the bathroom with DH/Mix or feeling like I needed to. I know that this is to much TMI but, like others that I have read on these boards, I have'nt gotten alot of help from the medical community with anything that's gone wrong over the years and have learned to be VERY Proactive. Please keep me posted so I know how you're doing. How much time did everybody take off of work? I took 2 weeks. I know that it's gonna take a while since my digestion was so screwed up for so long, but these people bringing me blueberry cream cake and hot ck. & cheese salad are gonna kill me!LOL Any words of wisdom from the vets? Thanks :)
Kimberley~
03-20-2006, 12:41 AM
Hey
I was really bad i only took 4 days after surgery and i was back at work i was out of hospital sat and back to work half days thurs. then the next week full time. I admit i probably should have taken a little longer as i got really tired and wore out but other then that was fine. And of course the frequent trips to the bathroom!!! GAH but thats reality now.
I didn't have the gas issue either and i am bigger. i think i let out like 2-3 burps right after as i got outta bed about 2 hrs after i woke up and did a lap around the ward. The dr told me if i could walk around keep food down and urinate and pass gas i could go home. I didn't pass the gas right away but the surgeon said that was fine he was on call so if i didn't by monday to call him. I really didn't like the woman i had to share a room with. She would crank the heat to 30 and the nurses would be in constantly asking why it was so hot and were trying to regulate my temp and that was not helping. and she well lets just say made a mess on the floor and in the bathroom so i wanted to go home she kept me up all night everyday i was in there. so they gave me the option to go the same day and i took it.
I've been fairly lucky by the sounds of it. I only get the odd pain in that area and its all food based. so i know what to avoid.....
my only real complaint is the bowel issue but that will eventually get better..
I was really bad i only took 4 days after surgery and i was back at work i was out of hospital sat and back to work half days thurs. then the next week full time. I admit i probably should have taken a little longer as i got really tired and wore out but other then that was fine. And of course the frequent trips to the bathroom!!! GAH but thats reality now.
I didn't have the gas issue either and i am bigger. i think i let out like 2-3 burps right after as i got outta bed about 2 hrs after i woke up and did a lap around the ward. The dr told me if i could walk around keep food down and urinate and pass gas i could go home. I didn't pass the gas right away but the surgeon said that was fine he was on call so if i didn't by monday to call him. I really didn't like the woman i had to share a room with. She would crank the heat to 30 and the nurses would be in constantly asking why it was so hot and were trying to regulate my temp and that was not helping. and she well lets just say made a mess on the floor and in the bathroom so i wanted to go home she kept me up all night everyday i was in there. so they gave me the option to go the same day and i took it.
I've been fairly lucky by the sounds of it. I only get the odd pain in that area and its all food based. so i know what to avoid.....
my only real complaint is the bowel issue but that will eventually get better..
kehorner
03-20-2006, 12:46 AM
I had loose stools, nausea, sweats, etc. when I tried to eat meals for several weeks after surgery. I was okay with nibbling. But if I sat down to eat a meal (even a low/no fat meal), I might start feeling sick right at the beginning, or I might make it halfway through, go to the bathroom, and come back. I'd spend a lot of time just sitting there at the table not eating, with my mom asking if I was okay. It gradually did get better, though. And I was able to resume a normal diet eventually.
Just take it slow. Eat a little bit at a time and see if that helps.
As for time off, I'm a grad student, so I don't have as much of an opinion. I had my mom staying with me for about 10 days to drive and cook and baby me. I had the surgery on a Thursday and was back in classes the following Monday. But I think I only had one class per day. Thursdays were my long days, and I got somebody else to teach my first lab for me the first week after surgery so that cut out some time. Two weeks is good, though, for a real job. It was definitely two weeks before I felt fairly decent.
Just take it slow. Eat a little bit at a time and see if that helps.
As for time off, I'm a grad student, so I don't have as much of an opinion. I had my mom staying with me for about 10 days to drive and cook and baby me. I had the surgery on a Thursday and was back in classes the following Monday. But I think I only had one class per day. Thursdays were my long days, and I got somebody else to teach my first lab for me the first week after surgery so that cut out some time. Two weeks is good, though, for a real job. It was definitely two weeks before I felt fairly decent.
jen3175
03-20-2006, 03:30 PM
has anybody else had like a long hard knot where sternum cut is? I just called my doc to ask if I could take tape off since it was already coming off as it was & nurse said ok I thought that part of the lump was the tape and scabbing, but it's all internal. Figured that it was the internal stitching, right?
I'm feeling really good today 6 days post op and slept until 7 am. this morn. I haven't been able to stay asleep any longer than 4 or 5 am for almost 8 mos. because of the pain. I'm so excited about getting on with my life and enjoying my hubby and girls again! :angel: Thanks for the info and hope that you'll continue to get better!
I'm feeling really good today 6 days post op and slept until 7 am. this morn. I haven't been able to stay asleep any longer than 4 or 5 am for almost 8 mos. because of the pain. I'm so excited about getting on with my life and enjoying my hubby and girls again! :angel: Thanks for the info and hope that you'll continue to get better!
Titchou
03-20-2006, 04:02 PM
Most likely it is. I took my tape off the 2nd day...per doc's instuctions so you really don't need it any more. You might also want to ask about using vitamin e oil or merderma or something like that to fade the scars.
Kimberley~
03-20-2006, 05:48 PM
my belly button and the upper one are both itchy.....and feel kinda lumpy. But they are both REALLY bIG! compared to the other two. The belly button one is almost 2 inches and no stiches i was shocked to uncover that sucker.... and the higher one is about an inch. But they both healed well. It's the small one that is giving me grief
I had to uncover the one that is not healing well as i had a bad reaction to the bandaids and tape. i have a cross on my stomach now haha its funny
Good news today i had normal bathroom episodes. I'm sure i will still have issues but it was a nice change for once
I had to uncover the one that is not healing well as i had a bad reaction to the bandaids and tape. i have a cross on my stomach now haha its funny
Good news today i had normal bathroom episodes. I'm sure i will still have issues but it was a nice change for once
Titchou
03-20-2006, 06:05 PM
Kimberly: Yeah, know what you mean! I'm allergic to the adhesive and am a jogger so most of my pre-op talk with the doc was what we were going to do about the bandages and how soon before I could run...they used steri strips and told me to take them off the second day so I wouldn't get itchy. and I did 2 miles one week to the day after surgery (i know, I'm a fool!) Glad you're getting better.
Kimberley~
03-22-2006, 10:35 PM
YAY
I've had 3 days of fairly normal bowels. I NEVER thought i would see the day i would get excited about poop lol
I'm seeing a dietician tomorrow to help with diet and weight management and stuff as i am bigger and i wanna lose weight and i want some help. Someone told me I should also see a naturopathic dr as my liver is still working a bit much and they could give me liver friendly foods and stuff and help me with weight loss too! Who knows.
I love living in Canada and I don't have to pay for this stuff!!! Otherwise i would probably still be in pain YIPE!
The last incision that i am having troubles with looks almost like it will heal like a poc mark like some people get from acne but we shall see. It's not gross anymore just looks like it might stay the way it is.
But all and all doing okay.........taking a day off work as i am exhausted and i need rest. WEnt back to work WAY TO SOON! I guess the week off would have been wise!
Hope everyone is doing alright
I can't believe i can't lift anything nothing hurts anymore but to be safe and not create issues i am doing fairly okay with that and only lift things sometimes. Hey if someone can go back jogging right after why can't i carry my nephew (although i have not done that they kept him away cuz they knew i wouldn't do well with not playing with him) he is 6 months
I've had 3 days of fairly normal bowels. I NEVER thought i would see the day i would get excited about poop lol
I'm seeing a dietician tomorrow to help with diet and weight management and stuff as i am bigger and i wanna lose weight and i want some help. Someone told me I should also see a naturopathic dr as my liver is still working a bit much and they could give me liver friendly foods and stuff and help me with weight loss too! Who knows.
I love living in Canada and I don't have to pay for this stuff!!! Otherwise i would probably still be in pain YIPE!
The last incision that i am having troubles with looks almost like it will heal like a poc mark like some people get from acne but we shall see. It's not gross anymore just looks like it might stay the way it is.
But all and all doing okay.........taking a day off work as i am exhausted and i need rest. WEnt back to work WAY TO SOON! I guess the week off would have been wise!
Hope everyone is doing alright
I can't believe i can't lift anything nothing hurts anymore but to be safe and not create issues i am doing fairly okay with that and only lift things sometimes. Hey if someone can go back jogging right after why can't i carry my nephew (although i have not done that they kept him away cuz they knew i wouldn't do well with not playing with him) he is 6 months
kaylingr
03-22-2006, 11:01 PM
Kimberley-
I am glad you are doing so much better! I feel like I have turned a corner too, also after improving bowel movements. Now, I feel like I am in normal recovery pain, although I am still not eating anything.
I am also struggling with not being able to play with my 6 mos. old son.
Best wishes for a continued recovery!
-K.
I am glad you are doing so much better! I feel like I have turned a corner too, also after improving bowel movements. Now, I feel like I am in normal recovery pain, although I am still not eating anything.
I am also struggling with not being able to play with my 6 mos. old son.
Best wishes for a continued recovery!
-K.
amberjean
03-23-2006, 05:24 PM
My name is Amber and I just had my gall bladder emoved 8 days ago. I am an RN student, and JUST finished the GI section in school ( I aced it too) when to my surprise I woke up in the middle of the night with HORRIBLE pain under my right rib, in the epigastric region (the stomach) and my back. I thought to myself I know what this is, and i know I fall into 4 of the 5 catagories that predispose a person to it, the five F's...Female, Fat, Fertile, Fair, and Fourty (I'm 22, not 40...thats the only catagory I didn't fit into.) I feel very lucky, I knew what to expect, I knew what to do, my surgery went smoothly, I also had adhesions which the doctor removed, but they'll grow back, so I'm concerned about that, but I never had small bowel problems associated with them before...maybe I'll still be okay. But reading the posts made by some other people really concern me. Why would ANY doctor tell someone they can resume a normal diet?...you shouldn't, you should have been on liquid only, then introducing one food at a time to see if you can tolerate it, and not just fatty foods either...you have to consider dairy too, eggs, cheese and milk are digested by bile. everyones tolerance is individual, and it takes ALOT of time to deterimine what that is. Stools will never be the same, they may be clay colored, greasy and semiformed with a much fouler smell than normal.
For me, this incidence has been a BIG wake up call. I have to lose weight-i know better than to eat wrong, and now my body won't let me. Time to get healthy!
For me, this incidence has been a BIG wake up call. I have to lose weight-i know better than to eat wrong, and now my body won't let me. Time to get healthy!
amberjean
03-23-2006, 05:30 PM
I almost forgot...to kimberly, the reason why your incision on your belly button is larger is because thats where they actually took your gall bladder out of your body at. And to everyone else, the incisions will be hard at first, they may feel knoted and lumpy...thats just the way abdominal incisions heal, but if you feel that there is ANYTHING out of the ordinary don't be afraid to call your doctor...thats what he's being paid for.
Kimberley~
03-23-2006, 11:33 PM
Amberjean
you will be of great help hahahahaha
I have a few other things i wanted to ask but i might hold off for now.
we were trying to decide on our own if the one on the belly button was big cuz of that but the one up top is big too so we didn't know. I had assumed the belly button cuz it seemed to make sense.
yeah the sheet I got said after a few days resume normal diet YEA RIGHT
I'm back to having bowel issues again but this time it's TOTALLY different and i didn't even eat anything bad so i'm concerned. i'll see what happens later and go from there....
thanks for all the info from everyone this is great
you will be of great help hahahahaha
I have a few other things i wanted to ask but i might hold off for now.
we were trying to decide on our own if the one on the belly button was big cuz of that but the one up top is big too so we didn't know. I had assumed the belly button cuz it seemed to make sense.
yeah the sheet I got said after a few days resume normal diet YEA RIGHT
I'm back to having bowel issues again but this time it's TOTALLY different and i didn't even eat anything bad so i'm concerned. i'll see what happens later and go from there....
thanks for all the info from everyone this is great