It's My Gallbladder! More Help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
It's My Gallbladder! More Help!
6
Wed, 05-23-2007 - 12:01pm

I posted a couple weeks ago regarding some tummy trouble with pain. I thank everyone for their input. Yesterday I had an ultrasound and it is my gallbladder. I have multiple stones, and a thick lining on the wall. I am going to a surgeon tomorrow. I have had 6 attacks in a 2 week span. I have eaten very carefully since the last one this past Thurs. Needless to say I am starving.

It looks like this will require surgery. But from what I hear it is no big deal I just can't lift for awhile afterwards. Big problem, I have a 22 lb 9 month old and I take care of a set of 1.5 yr old twins for a friend! Now I do have willing help for daytime and my husband as well. My question is for anyone who knows or has had this surgery, what is your advice on my "job"? Will I be sick enough where I should just take the time off and have my friend find another care provider for the recommended recovery period or would I be OK as long as I just don't lift them? I hate to lose the cash I receive and put her out for too long, but if I have to then oh well.

Thanks again for helping!

Karri

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Wed, 05-23-2007 - 7:32pm

The lifting restrictions are for your benefit and of course, no one can know ahead of time, just how long your recovery will take.


Risking your health might not be a wise choice. Your friend will need to find an alternative until your doctor and you have determined that lifting is safe again.


You are correct that the actual surgery isn't too bad, especially since most are done by laproscope. Allowing enough time for proper internal healing is important, so losing a bit of money should not color your decision.


Be honest with your doctor; give him/her the weights of all kids involved, so he/she knows what you

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-25-2007 - 9:18pm

Ditto to what Elise said about checking with the doctor on lifting restrictions. When they told me that I would likely not feel pain - but lifting more than recommended could cause things to move around inside before they heal which would result in scar tissue.


I found a low fat diet very helpful to keep attacks down before surgery. Very very low fat. I wasn't so much hungry - but really missed having fat in my diet.


I had my surgery done lap on a Thursday morning. I went home that evening. For 2 days I felt just awful and pretty much slept. I started to perk up and returned to my desk job on the Monday right after the surgery. I didn't have sick pay benefits - I know of a few people who get sick pay that have taken 2 weeks off.


Jo

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2003
Tue, 06-05-2007 - 6:05pm
Greetings from a fellow gall bladder gal!
I had mine out about 5 years ago and while the surgery was necessary (due to a hereditary blood disorder -- all my sisters have had theirs out too) I have to tell you... living without your gall bladder is no bed of roses! The horrible pain of the attacks goes away, but the irritable bowel symptoms do not. As mentioned, limiting fat from your diet is a good start, but sometimes my body just decides it will not like anything I eat.
I have made major lifestyle changes to accommodate my new system, i.e. I have no issues or embarrassment using public restrooms, I schedule time for post meal breaks, etc. Sorry if this is TMI, but I really wish someone had told me about the impact I was having on my digestive system. All the doctors just said it was no big deal and I would be back to normal in no time. You are missing an important part of the digestive tract and bile is no longer controlled or contained by the gall bladder. Eating (especially high fat foods) will trigger a flood of bile to enter your intestines. This leads to intestinal distress that unfortunately will become a part of every day life. It is manageable and I have been on several different types of medicine, but have found that diet and exercise are the best ways to deal with it. It is just a part of my life now and I have learned to live with it.
Hope some of this information was helpful. Again, sorry if it was more than you wanted to know.
Semac.
Avatar for mytwogals
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 06-10-2007 - 12:28am

Hi Karri,


I am sorry you are having problems. I had my gallbladder out 13 years ago when I was 24 years old.

Diane~mom to

Laura(13.5) Sarah(11) Steven(9.5) Jonathon(7)

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 8:01am

Thanks so much for your response. I have noticed trouble eating, but it is weird things that trigger the stomach issues. The other day I ate strawberries and my stomach roared. When I asked the dr at my follow up, he told me it was normal and if it lasts more than a couple more weeks to call him.

What bugs me is that I asked all these questions before. I assumed since the gallbladder would be removed it would mess with the system. But the pamphlets, websites, dr all said everything should go back to normal. When I was released from the hospital, they told me light diet for the first day then I should be fine after that. But everyone I have spoken to has said the same thing. Some had to adjust their diet, some it just took time.

Also, the dr told me I should be OK to lift my baby after a couple days, he is 22 pounds and 10 mo so not walking yet. That wasn't to be. I did not return to work until the following week, after much pressing from my mother and husband, and the parents of the children I take care of. Everyone seemed to know I would need more time.

I will take your advice and ease into things, mark down what bothers me. I myself absolutely hate to take meds, I didn't even take pain meds when I got home from my c-sections or this surgery. I would not like to have to take meds for this either. So I will do some diet adjusting and listen to others with experience rather than the dr's.

That is too bad it took so long for you to know what was going on.

Thanks again.

Avatar for mytwogals
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 10:55am

Glad I could give some advice to you. What is funny is that the drs make it such a big secret that having your gallbladder out is not going to change things. I figured it out after searching the internet and seeing how many people have troubles.

Diane~mom to

Laura(13.5) Sarah(11) Steven(9.5) Jonathon(7)