Gallbladder surgery-Anesthesia Concerns

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2004
Gallbladder surgery-Anesthesia Concerns
3
Tue, 11-09-2004 - 4:31pm
I am going to have my first surgery EVER on the 18th. I am having my gallbladder removed. I am 24 and in fairly good health, and I don't smoke, but I'm nervous about the pain and about the anesthesia. I don't want it to make me sick to my stomach and I have NO CLUE as to how I'm going to be feeling afterwards. They are doing it laprascopically, so I will get to go home the same day, so that is a PLUS. Could you all please shed some light on all this for me.

Thanks : )

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2004
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 2:28pm
I had my surgery in June of this year. I remember them putting a mask over my face and the next thing I remember was waking up in recovery. I didn't have any dreams which is the thing that I worried about most.

After I woke up, my throat was very, very dry. I aske for warm water to hydrate my throat. Warm water will keep you from throwing up which happens a lot after anesthesia.

I was real thirst for about a week after the surgery and drank a lot of water, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

I woke up at about 5:00, was backing in my room by 5:45 and down in the snmoking area in a wheelchair at 6:00 ( walked like I was drunk so they wouldn't let me walk down) by 8:00 I was up and walking on my own. The Dr. wanted to let me go home by 9:00 but I said no wait till tomorrow cause I had already been there a week, and I wanted to make sure that all the anesthesia had worn off. I left the next day.

The only pain I really had was more like muscle aches. No real pain. And since I couldn't soak in the bath tub yet.(had to wait two weeks for a good soak) I took either ibuprofin or the hydracodone(codine and tylenol) they sent home with me. Out of 40, I only used three.

I had some bruising, but not a lot. The best advise is get up and stay active, it helps the anesthesia leave your body faster and also helps disipate the gas they pump into your stomach to expand things. Drink plenty of water to re=hydrate and eat healthy. You may need a stool sofenter and some antacids, but they should prescibe them for you or tell you what to take in your discharge summary.

You may notice a change in your digestive system. It takes between 6 months and a year for your body to adjust after the surgery. You may also have phantom pain. Ibuprofin and activity will help with that.

That's the best advice I can give you and that is the advice they gave me in my discharge summary.

The following things to remember and call Dr. if they occurr"

unusual discharge from incisions(you will have between 3 and 4 small (1 to 1 1/2 inches)ones)

Fever

severe stomache cramping

severe bloating of the stomache.

Dawn

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2004
Wed, 11-10-2004 - 3:42pm
Thank You SO MUCH Dawn. You really helped me with this! I appreciate it!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Fri, 11-12-2004 - 11:37am

Hi Tatertot!


It's ok to be scared when confronted with surgery.