post-surgery anxiety

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2007
post-surgery anxiety
10
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 10:26am
Hello everyone,
I am new here and I need to have a surgery to get my gallbladder out. I am 26 and this is my second surgery, the first being a very difficult (10 hour) back fusion when I was 16. I realize that this surgery is very minor comparing to my last one, but still cannot help but have major anxiety over the post surgery period. I have not been sleeping at all and found this board, so I am hoping to relieve some of my anxieties by finding out more about other post-surgery experiences. Where you in a lot of pain? How long did it take for you to start functioning again? I realize that I am taking this out of proportion and most of this has already been discussed, but I just needed to get my fears out there and get more information for my own piece of mind. Thank you so much!
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2004
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 6:57pm

I had my GB removed almost 2 years ago laparoscopically (sp?). It was a quick surgery with quick healing time. Now that does not mean there wasn't any pain...
The first couple of days will probably be the worst. Esp. trying to get up from a laying/sitting position. I felt like I was run over by a transport! Also, the gas they use to inflate your abdomen may cause some discomfort in your abdomen/shoulders--this was definately the worse pain I experienced and lasted the longest. The best way to get rid of that is to get up and walk around every now and then. I was up and moving around the day after surgey (kinda hunched over). I was basically walking without problems about a week after surgery. A word of warning--try not to rush into the greasy/fat foods. They can cause nausea, cramping and diahrrea.

Good Luck on your surgery!
Donna M

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 9:06pm

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I am glad you posted. Please read over some of the other messages because you certainly are not alone. I have described what GB surgery is basically about and some others have also shared their experiences. It is normal to feel some anxiety about any surgery.


We all react differently to pain, but you should get enough pain control to keep you comfy. You really won't remember much of the first few days, which is better spent sleeping anyway. Walking will help a lot.


If you don't see some of your questions answered directly, please ask!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 9:08pm

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Thanks for sharing your experience Donna! I think we all need to have our hand held when we are facing surgery and nothing is better than hearing from folks that have BTDT!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2007
Fri, 01-05-2007 - 11:45pm
Thank you so much! I have my surgery scheduled for next week and I am feeling much better about it after having read others' experiences.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 12:19am

Great, glad the surgery is scheduled! Feel free to ask any questions that you might think of, or just vent, ask for support, whatever you need. The anticipation is always worse than the reality and just focus on how much better you should feel very soon. We'll be here to hold your hand and of course, we'll all be anxiously waiting to hear from you after surgery too.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 7:09am
Hi. I dont mean to scare you, but I just had my surgery yesterday. Its been pretty rough pain wise for me. I was given Vicoden,and it only lessens the pain some for an hour and I have to wait 4 hours between. I have found it too difficult to lay in bed and have stayed in my comfortabl rocking chair. I do gotta agree with the others to try to get up and walk. I do this every 2-3 hours. It helps to keep from qetting stiff and rid of the gas. Also I have found it esstiental to have someone with me. I am not able to get up/ or down into a sitting position on my own. Not getting much sleep.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 9:15am

Glad to hear that you are safely home. Not sure if you read my suggestion about getting and using a small pillow? A small pillow, held against the surgical site will help support the area. Moving, turning, coughing, sneezing...all of these actions are less painful if you keep steady pressure over the incision, with the pillow.


Also, to get up from lying in bed...never try to sit straight up! You need to roll to the edge of the bed, get your feet over the edge and then use your arm(s) to push yourself up. This puts less strain on the abdominal area, plus is less likely to strain your back.


I was given Vicoden,and it only lessens the pain some for an hour and I have to wait 4 hours between.


Be absolutely sure to eat something when you are taking pain meds. Nausea is the last thing you need right now. Also, be sure to be getting fiber from your food, or take an OTC supplement. Pain meds can cause constipation and this is another issue you will not want to be dealing with.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2007
Sat, 01-06-2007 - 12:54pm
Most of my pain is in my back kidney area and in the front high on my belly. Same places that bothered me when having a gall bladder attack. I do keep a small pillow against my side to make it more comfortable and another pillow on my lap for coughing ( I went into my surgery being sick with a chest cold and lots of coughing, but coughing has diminished greatly too.) I did emotionally break down from my anxiety as soon as I arrived at the hospital. Cried until they took me to the OR holding room and they wouldnt let Hubby come with me, but then they broke the rules and let him. As soon as we got there, they were able to give me liquid valuim, and I dont remember anything til I woke up. They said it would provide amnethesia. Hubby said I talked with him and was awake going into surgery. Worst part was waking up and the worst dry sore throat,kept begging for ice or water. I think they gave me something more in my IV too, cuz I was out again til they moved me to a room and my hubby was there. Also, for some reason the dr most not have been happy with one of my incision and had to reposition so I have 4 bandages.
Ive actually just woken from 2 1/2hrs sleeping, my longest since I woke up from surgery. Still in a lot of pain, but not brought to tears pain like last night. So thats a good sign. Thank you all for your information and support
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2007
Sun, 01-07-2007 - 4:30pm
Wish I had found this place before my 15 y/o son had his gallbladder removed back in November. I didn't have any family that had their's removed and didn't really know anything about it. Did have a couple of co-workers and they clued me in on a few things. But, he did great. They kept him overnight because of his age. They wanted to make sure the pain meds were working ok for him. He was up walking to the bathroom the same day of the surgery. They gave him morphine in his IV when he first got back to his room. After he woke up, they put him on Lortabs and that's what they sent him home with, but he didn't even have to finish the full prescription of that. He was even playing video games in his hospital room the same night he had surgery (kept me up until 1 a.m.). Good luck to you. You're fairly young and I think that helps!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sun, 01-07-2007 - 4:46pm

Most of my pain is in my back kidney area and in the front high on my belly. Same places that bothered me when having a gall bladder attack. I do keep a small pillow against my side to make it more comfortable and another pillow on my lap for coughing ( I went into my surgery being sick with a chest cold and lots of coughing, but coughing has diminished greatly too.)


Another thing to keep in mind...you are lying on a cold slab of metal (table)

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