post-surgery anxiety
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post-surgery anxiety
| 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!
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!

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
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!!
CL of

<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!
CL of

<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.
CL of

<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.
CL of

<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
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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