gallbladder surgery coming up and scared

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
gallbladder surgery coming up and scared
6
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 4:10pm
Hi everyone. I posted hear a couple times and have gotten some helpful information. Well, I have a low gallbladder ejection fraction (20%) and am scheduled for surgery in the beginning of November. I am scared to death. I'm not really that afraid of the surgery itself. I guess I'm afraid of what will happen after surgery. Afraid that it will make me sick, I will have diarrhea that will not go away, or that it won't take care of the terrible nausea and other symptoms that I have been having for 4 years. I guess I don't really have any questions, just looking for some good thoughts from people who have been through this. I am only 31 and live alone. I didn't expect to have a major health issue this soon in life. My mom will be coming down to stay with me for a few days after surgery. Thanks to everyone who posts on here, it's great to have a place like this.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 7:07pm

I think that what you are experiencing is totally noramal. I had my GB removed Feb/04 and as soon as I was given my surgery date I turned into a bit of a basket case. I was also worried about having dreadful side effects - the worst of which didn't happen.


When I finally came to accept that the GB had to come out - keeping it really wasn't an option I became a bit more sane. I still had moments where I was a bit nuts - but accepting that it had to be removed and deciding that what ever side effects came up - well I'd just have to do what I can to resolve or minimize them. (easy for me to say

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 10-23-2004 - 7:26pm

Hi and Welcome back, hmdoyle00


I think Jo is the best one who has had her's out and she knows more than I do..


I would suggest that you take one day at a time and Think Postive because thinking that way will help you feel better

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Tue, 10-26-2004 - 8:10pm

Hey Hmdoyle00!


Good to see you again!

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 8:53am
My surgery is scheduled for Nov.4. I am nervous but hopeful at the same time. I just hope it gets rid of my symptoms and gets me back on track to leading a normal life. Thanks for the good thoughts.
Avatar for chrisalh
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2003
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 6:37pm
Hi - I will be three weeks post op on Friday, and while I'm not 100% back up to speed, I have been back to work in my office for nearly 2 weeks. I recovered at home 8 days and then went back to work 1/2 days for 4,now back fulltime.

I had horrible diahrrea before I had my gallbladder out, and I've been pretty careful since - the first week was no different than before my surgery - still ate carefully, but this week I've worked back into eating a normal diet, and all I've found is that I eat LESS before I'm full - kind of a bonus side effect for me!

Surgery is always nerve-wracking - mine was an emergency surgery as the tube from my gallbladder to my intestine was infected - but you'll be fine. And having help the first week or so is a must, so it's good your mom is there!

Chrisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-28-2004
Thu, 10-28-2004 - 10:47pm
I wished I was you! I have gone through this for so long it is making me crazy!!! Since August my right ab and back burn most of the time, I'm nauseated every time I eat. I definately stay away from any greasy or high fat foods. I have had ultra sound and it showed I do not have stones. I had a hida scan next and my ejection fraction was low like yours. My GP said my gallbladder needed to come out. After 2 weeks I finally got an appointment with the surgeon. The day of the apppointment I was so tense. An hour before I was to leave they called and canceled it and gave me another one the following week. I just about lost it. The next morning they called and said he would see me between surgeries. I filled out paper workat his office and then had to walk over to the hospital and he saw me for 4-5 minutes in the hallway. He didn't touch me, I'm not too sure he looked over my test cause the nurse handed it to him as we meet. Here I am all prepared to have surgery and he says when was your last scope? I said never...so now I get to wait 2 1/2 more weeks so he can make sure that my pain is not an ulcer. I was so shocked, I was speechless. I wished I would have had someone go with me so that someone could have had a brain to ask WHY are you doing this?????

Good luck on your surgery! My friend just had this done 3 weeks ago and she said she already feels better. I hope you feel better too!