Just had gallbladder removed...
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| Tue, 03-22-2005 - 11:20am |
Hi everyone--
I found this message board about 2 weeks ago, before my gallbladder surgery and found it informative, so I just wanted to share my experience.
Here is my story--
I am a married 26 year old with an almost 5 year old son. About a year and a half ago, I was getting really bad stomach pain, so I went to the Dr. and she dismissed it as a muscle pull. I knew something was wrong, so I went to the ER, and was diagnosed with pancreatitis.... so began the testing.. I think I had every test out there to check the gallbladder. They could not find any stones or anything abnormal about my gallbladder. The pancreatitis was not due to alcohol or high triglicerides either (gallstones, alcohol, and high chol. are the most commone reasons for pancreatitis.) So they left it as maybe I have some sand size stones that did not show up and to go see a gastro Dr. When I saw him, he recommended I get my gallbladder out. I chose to wait and see, since no one was sure if it was even caused by my gallbladder. I went a while with no issues. Then a couple of months ago, I again got some pretty bad stomach pain. I brought myself to the ER and thankfully, it was not pancreatitis again, but my Alk. Phos. levels in my blood were elevated. (they said this pointed to the gallbladder) Again, I had tests to see if anything was wrong with my gallbladder and nothing showed up. So I went back to my gastro, who said I had to get my gallbladder out, so I made an appt. with a surgeon and got it removed last Tuesday. I still question if this was needed or not.
So here is my experience with the surgery--
I was very very nervous, since I have never had surgery before, luckly it was scheduled for 7:30am.(lapro. surgery- 4 incisions) They gave me something to make me relax, and put an oxygen mask over my face, and I was out. I woke up in extreme discomfort, not from my belly where the incisions were, but in my chest and back, it was a crushing feeling, and I also felt like I couldn't take in enough air (nothing is worse than feeling like you can't breathe, in my opinion), and I could not take deep breaths. The nurse said these feelings were from the gas they use to inflate your stomach during the surgery, it also pushes up your diaphragm so it feels like you can't breathe well. They gave me morphine, and sent me off to recovery. About an hour later, I was admitted to a room at the hospital. I was walking around about an hour later (this helps to rid the gas out of your body). I actually did a lot better than I thought. Besides the initial feelings when I woke up, I was actually feeling ok. I went home around 5pm that night. The first couple of days, I slept a lot (pain meds), and really didn't have any pain, just discomfort. Still, today (a week later), I still have the feeling of pressure in my chest/back if I am standing or sitting for a length of time, but it is getting better every day. The incisions are a bit sore if I bend over or put my regular pants on, but it isn't bad. I plan to go back to work tomorrow.
Oh, another thing, I was terribly constipated until Friday, when they had me take a laxative to help me go.. now whenever I eat it goes right through me.. I hope this won't last??? They told me to watch my diet, and eat low-fat.
So that's my story!! Please feel free to ask me any questions!
Jen

take care of yourself
Donna K
Good to hear both your surgeries went well. I am scheduled to have mine out on the 29th...if they don't reschedule again! I have polyps and a thickened wall but no stones. I suffer from nausea, bloating, pain under right rib cage, and back pain. I actually can't wait to get the darn thing out. I have had laparoscopic sugery before so I know what to expect and not worried about that. I am more worried about after the GB is gone. I have read some horror stories of diahrrea, phantom pains, etc. and that makes me nervous!
Donna M
Donna K
Hey Jen!
Thanks for the update and sharing your story with us.
easter
Donna K