Gallbladder Surgery Tommorow - Gallbladder Message Board

so_called_chaos · 07-07-2004, 10:04 AM

Hi, well, as you may have read, I have been pretty sick, for well over a month now.
I went in for some bloodwork today, (I also have RH factor5) so I went in for routine bloodwork. I just got home, and they said that my bloodwork indicated that my gallbladder is getting worse by the day, so they scheduled my surgery for tommorow afternoon at 230.
Will I be able to go home, or should I plan on an overnight stay? Any help would be appriceated. I will let you all know how it goes.

S.

Katie G · 07-07-2004, 10:09 AM

Hey there - thinking of you. Depending on how you come out of anesthesia and with no post-op complications, you may be able to go home tomorrow night. Lap GB surgery is considered day surgery meaning you can stay up to 23 hours in the hospital if needed. My surgery was at 4:30 p.m. so I ended up staying overnight and was discharged the next morning by 9:00 a.m., so it was still considered a day surgery since I left the hospital within 23 hours. It all depends on how you feel after you wake up. The procedure takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes, and then you'll be in recovery for up to an hour afterwards to monitor your vitals, then you may be allowed to just rest for a few more hours to monitor your situation before you're discharged.

Keep us posted,
Katie G

farscape66 · 07-08-2004, 04:57 AM

Another one bites the dust. You would think gallbladder is an epidemic or something. There has to be a better way. I hope someone is working on a better way. If I were a millionaire I would fund the research myself.

farscape66 · 07-08-2004, 04:59 AM

Please write back with details afterwards. Mine is tuesday next week.

fear of surgery · 07-08-2004, 09:20 AM

Hi Farscape --

I know you are not keen on having this done, but how sick do you want to get? Where do you want to be when the big attack hits? Wouldn't you prefer to pick your own surgeon/facility? How old do you want to be when you have surgery? The younger you are, the easier this will be. Wouldn't you prefer not to be terribly ill and have to possibly have the long version of this surgery as a result of that? There are a lot of questions to ask yourself. Only you can make the ultimate decision, of course.

I understand your fear of surgery, believe me, and your dislike for needles, etc. But it's not bad, really! And you will feel SO much better, and all this angst will be gone and you can move on with your life. Being consumed by something like this is unhealthy in itself.

If I were you, I would really ask for some Valium to get you through the long days before the surgery. The waiting is the WORST, truly. If you have any other questions or concerns, ask away.

FYI, gall bladder surgery IS popular. In fact, it is the MOST commonly done abdominal surgery in this (and many other) countries. Before lap surgery was perfected, the old style open surgery was very common, but more people lived longer suffering with the attacks and discomfort because recovery from open surgery was so long and painful. Now it's quicker and easier to just get it done.

Best wishes to you as you struggle with this decision.