just found out i have to have my

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
just found out i have to have my
4
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 11:27am

gallbladder out.

I new here. I just found out yesterday I need to have my gallbladder removed. Has anyone had this done and what should I expect? I know the docs tell you, but I want to know from someone who has had it done. TIA

Michele

Michele

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 2:04pm

Hi Michelle, and Welcome


Our Jo is the one who usually chats about this topic..
* Some others will post to you about this one.

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-06-2005 - 11:29pm

HI Michelle and welcome to the board. The ladies here are very helpful & provide great support.

I had my gb removed Feb/04.

It was done laproscopically (?spelling). The surgery was done on a Thusday and I was back at work (desk job) on Monday. Had to wear elastic pants for about 2 weeks due to bloating/ swelling.

I had one follow up apt with the surgeon a week after surgery.

If memory serves me I was told not to lift anything >10 lbs or do any exercise or movement that would require use of abdominal muscles for 2 weeks. I managed to get dh to do the vacuuming for 4 weeks (hey - may as well take advantage - lol)

I was eating a *very* low fat diet immediately after my surgery (also the weeks leading up to it). Low = less than 20% of caloric intake from fat ( www.fitday.com has a free on line journal - you input what you eat & it does the calculations).

If you have any questions - ask away. . . . I'm sure that others will be along to share their experiences - I'm slightly brain dead right now - long day.

Cheers,
Jo

 

Avatar for diamond_0
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2004
Sat, 05-07-2005 - 3:46pm

Hi Michelle,

I had my GB removed laparoscopically on March 29 due to inflammation and polyps. I was scheduled to be at the hospital for 7 am. I was given a couple of pills to take by mouth then hooked up to an IV with a medication to prevent infection from the bile and hydrating fluids. I waited about 1 hour then was wheeled into the operating room where the anesthesiologist(sp?) came and asked me a bunch of questions and explained what was going to happen. Then she inserted something into my IV and everything got all fuzzy. The other nurse put the oxygen mask on my face and I was out 2 seconds later. Woke up in the recovery room with some pretty bad nausea and I was given Gravol through my IV which took care of that. I had 4 holes--3 around my rib cage and 1 just below my belly button. I had a bit of oozing from my belly button incision and was extremely groggy. My blood pressure, heart rate and temperature were monitored about every 10 mins. for an hour(my blood pressure was a bit low and my heart rate was a bit fast--so they kept me till they went to normal). After that I was able to go home. They tell you to have someone stay with you the first 24 hours. You will probably feel like you were hit by a transport truck the first couple days. Your abdomen will be sore and it will be painful trying to get up. The CO2 they use to inflate your abdomen may cause some pain in your chest and shoulders. That was the worst part for me!! Try and get up and move around every once in a while and that will help move the CO2 out faster. I had a BIG bruise around my belly button incision for almost a month...i'm assuming that is where they pulled the GB out of. I was told to eat whatever I feel comfortable with. The first week I ate low fat foods and slowly added in others.
It is a really easy operation and quick healing for most.
Good Luck and hope this helps!
Donna M

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sun, 05-08-2005 - 10:16am

Thanks for all the information. I have 5 children, 2 of them still in diapers, so I have been worried about the lifting of the babies. My hubby plans on taking a vacation week to be home with me, and the 3 oldest are going to go to my parents for a week. I was really worried about the kids and such, I think more then the operation itself. I am feeling better about it now. I am on a no fat diet, do not want to risk an attack, and that seems to be working out really good. Although, I do miss my toast in the morning lol. I will post back when I know more about when the surgery is Thanks again for all the advice.

Michele

Michele