Gallbladder Surgery - what to expect??
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| Mon, 05-08-2006 - 3:16pm |
Hello everyone,
I've been reading all the posts on here about gallbladder surgery, post gallbladder surgery, etc...You all have been very helpful!!!
As of right now I'm scheduled for surgery May 25th but I just called the surgeon today to see if we could move it up a week because I'm in pain. I'm waiting on a call back from him. :)
I am mostly concerned about the pain afterwards. I've read ALOT about this and mostly people have complained about the gas they use to pump your stomach up. Is this really painful?? in tears painful??? Was it easily controlled by taking pain meds or anything else such as Gas-X? Of course I'll be in some pain as they just went into my body but as long as its bearable.
I'm staying in the hospital the first night so hopefully they'll keep my pain under control but when I get home I'll have someone there with me that afternoon and night but after that I'm on my own - so I'm scared that I'll need help getting up and down, going to the bathroom, etc...
Can anyone tell me what the experienced after the surgery?? If you experienced pain - was it really bad or nothing unbearable? I know everyone is different but hearing what other people went through helps calm my nerves alittle bit! :)
Thank you,
Teresa

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Does anyone know if they insert a cathater(sp?) during surgery? I just heard they have to and I was wondering if anyone had one that they knew of? If so, did they insert it before or after you were asleep? Thanks!!!!
Teresa
Teresa,
It occurs to me that you have never had surgery before. I thought I might just tell you what you can expect. I don't know about you - but when I know what's coming next - I deal much better. :-)
You will go to the hospital and go through the registration process - no big deal - answering a few questions - making sure you are you, etc... Then you will be sent to the day surgery department. When you are called back there by a nurse she will be getting you ready for surgery. She will weigh you and take your blood pressure and temperature - notmal stuff. Then you will get changed into a surgical gown - you know the type - the embarassing kind that closes in the back. :-) After that they will ask you more detailed questions about your medical history, etc... Then another nurse will come in and get your IV ready. This is often a very nerve wracking part of the surgery for people - but don't worry - these nurses are very good at what they do - they start IV's every day on lots of different people. Depending on the nurse - she may give you a small shot in your hand to numb it. That is literally a little pin prick - no big deal. But if they don't numb it - don't worry - getting the IV in your hand is really not very hard and as I said before - the nurses are very good at what they do. If you are exceptionally nervous (and ask for it) you may receive a drug in your IV to help calm your nerves. The anesthesiologist will come to visit you and ask you some more questions and briefly explain that they will be putting you to sleep for the surgery. And let me tell you - that is the best part! :-) When they are ready for you in the OR a nurse will come to get you. Be prepared that there will be a lot of waiting around for surgery. But once they come to get you - the show is on. You will already be on a gurney and they will just push the gurney to the OR. Once in the OR you will be transferred to the table that they will be doing surgery on. You will have to help get yourself onto the table. It is a small table and may feel a little un-nerving at first. They will put your arms out on their own little tables and strap them down - they will put a blood pressure cuff on the arm without the IV to monitor your pressure during surgery. They will put a nice warm blanket on you and may strap your legs down as well - it's just to help you not feel like you're going to fall off the table. Once they are ready to put you to sleep - they will tell you. They will tell you that they are putting something in your IV to make you sleepy. They will also put an oxygen mask on your face and tell you to breathe deeply. Take a few deep breaths and let yourself go to sleep. If you do need a catheter they will put it in after you are asleep - but most likely for a short laparascopic procedure - you won't need it. When you wake up it will be to a nurse asking you to open your eyes and take deep breaths. You will have an oxygen mask on. You will be very very groggy and sleepy - that's OK - don't fight it - just rest. The nurse will ask you questions such as what is your pain level, etc... You are waking up in recovery. You will stay in recovery until they feel you are stable - it's usually about an hour or so. Then they will move you to your room. That first day you will sleep a lot. Your body needs to sleep in order to heal - so don't fight it.
I hope this is helpful for you. If you have any other questions - please don't hesitate to ask!
I hope that your procedure goes well next week. I will be thinking of you and praying for you. It's my birthday!
Pam
Pam,
Thank you so much for that detailed explaination! You're right, for some strange reason I feel so much better when I know what to expect!
Can you tell me about the pain I might be in when I awake in recovery? This is what worries me the most. I've been told gas is HORRENDOUSLY painful after surgery and also wondering what the incision will feel like..will I wake up screaming? (silly I know!) Where else does pain come from? Do you feel EXCRUTIATING pain inside?
All in all, is the pain bearable or will I be moaning and crying? I know everyone is different but give me your opnion.
AAAHHH I am probably stressing over nothing but it just makes me so nervous!!!
I had my first surgery last year when I broke my hand and they went in to put pins to make it heal straight. I was petrified of being put to sleep but I'm okay with that now...alittle nervous still but okay. I woke up with NO pain at all! I had a nerve block in my hand which lasted 24-48 hours and by then I was fine! Sore but not PAIN.
Thanks so much!!
Teresa
Teresa,
My gallbladder surgery didn't go so well - so I'm not really a good person to tell you if you will be in a lot of pain or not. My laparoscopic procedure turned into an open surgery. I had considerable pain when I woke up - but I made my concerns known and was given ample pain medication. Because it was an open surgery - I was given a "happy button" to give myself pain medication as needed. I don't think you'll have all that if your surgery goes well.
I did have a laparoscopy done in 98 (for fertility issues). I didn't experience a lot of pain from gas. I wasn't in a lot of pain at all. I was really tired. I went home just a couple of hours after surgery - but I didn't have anything removed - it was just exploratory. I know some people really have trouble with the gas - I didn't. I was told that the best thing to do if I did have trouble with gas build up in my system was to walk around. Not exactly what I wanted to do, but it did help - just to get things moving. The more you walk around (not like marathon walking - just around the house, etc...) the better you will feel - sooner.
So it's really hard for anyone to tell you how much pain you'll be in. Some people fly through it pretty easily - some people don't tolerate pain much at all. My advice to you would be to make sure that you vocalize whatever you are feeling. While you are in the hospital take advantage of the good drugs if you need them. ;-) And if you are really concerned about the gas pain, or any pain that you may have - say something to the nurse before surgery. Make sure you voice your concerns - be an active participant in your care.
Let us know how it goes!
Pam
Thanks again for your help! I have a list of questions for the doctors and nurses when I arrive at the hospital! :) I'll let you know how I make out.
Take Care,
Teresa
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