I had my gallbladder removed yesterday.

alicatjoy

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I should have posted this prior to my surgery. But, I was so anxious. I couldn't do much more than tell a couple of people about my surgery. It was hard, but I am coming out the other side now. And, as much as I'd like to be able to say that I can do this on my own, I know that I can't.

I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically yesterday morning. The surgery was done because the my gallbladder functioned at less than 10%. And, while they did not find stones, they did find that my gallbladder was extremely inflamed. And, because of that, I had a total of 5 incisions as opposed to the 4 incisions which is customary. The only other surgery I've had was an appendectomy in November of 2009 and, let me tell you, I never imagined recovery from surgery to be this difficult. But, I'm getting by -- if only second by second...

I reported to the hospital at 6:00am yesterday. My surgery was at 7:30am and lasted an hour and twenty minutes. And, I was home by 12:30pm. I wanted to remain in the hospital, but my surgeon (the same surgeon who did my appendectomy) felt it was in my best interest to return home. They prescribed me Vicodin and Phenergan and sent me on my way. It's been a rough 36 hours. Not only am I in an incredible amount of pain, but I am also struggling with intense nausea and some other symptoms that are most likely a result of the surgery.

I am not feeling well and am having trouble even writing this much, so I am going to end this thread for now. I feel foolish for not sharing this information sooner, but, I was struggling too much to ask for support here. But, please know I am here and appreciate any support and kindness you can offer...

This surgery took its toll on me and I'm having a rough go where recovery is concerned. I'll write more when I can, but between pain and medication, I just can't do much more than this right now.
 

gailc

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You take care and recuperate. Its the best for you right now.
 

gardenandcats

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Rest and get feeling better soon. Its terrible how they send you right home after surgery now..
 

my4llma

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Wow I'm so sorry your having a rough time recovering.

I had my gallbladder removed in 2001, due to gall stones. I didn't have any problems from the actual surgery. My stomach didn't hurt at all. But for some reason my right shoulder hurt terrible for 1 week after the surgery. I got sick, but it was because I was allergic to the pain med they gave me. I was in the hospital 3 days. I went in Halloween night. I had the surgery done November 1. I had a very hard time waking up, from being put under. My oxygen level was very low. That is why they kept me 1 extra night.

My aunt had her gall bladder removed before I did, she didn't have any trouble at all.

My mother had her gall bladder removed after I did. She had a very hard time recovering. She was in a lot of pain, and it lasted a few weeks. Like you she went in the morning, and was home later that afternoon. She still sometimes even now has pain.

The nausea could be a side effect of 1 of the medicines your on. You should also call your doctor, because they can give you a pill that will stop the nausea. That's what they had to give me because of being allergic to the pain med.
 

bella713

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Oh bless your heart
Are u taking the Phenegran along with your Vicodin, just asking because when I have kidney stones they give me phenegran to take with the pain killer so I don't get nauseous. I hope you feel better soon, hang in there
 

blueyedgirl5946

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Rest and take care of yourself. We are all hoping you will soon feel better.
 

strange_wings

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A lovely bit of information for everyone. Narcotic pain killers have the potential side effect in some people of causing the bile duct and spinctor of oddi to spasm. Pain from this is similar to a gallbladder attack.

I had mine out a couple years ago and the percocets they gave me caused pain and vomiting. Any attempt to take any pain killer now still causes pain (right sided), vomiting, and diarrhea. My GI doc recently addmitted this is fairly common.

So while it seems counter productive to not take a narcotic pain killer for your pain, make sure it isn't the cause of it. Bring it up with your doctor, and if they don't know about that side effect then make rhem go look it up.

Btw, I thought five incisions were normal? I had five.
 

starryeyedtiger

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Sending lots of vibes your way for pain relief and healing!!


My niece Terri had her gallbladder removed after her first baby; I helped take care of them both at the time. It took my niece about a week to really start feeling better afterwards (she had it done laproscopically as well). Once she started healing up, a lot of the pain went away and she felt much better. I hope you do too!
 

dusty's mom

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Wow AJ! Hope you feel better soon.

I just took my 38 YO son to the ER this morning for severe pain. Turns out he has gall stones and must have his GB removed too. He sees the surgeon next week for a consult and then they will schedule it. He also has really bad GERD and esophageal spasms, which he thought was the cause of his pain.

Anxious to hear all the GB removal stories, now that I know he is facing it.

Take care of yourself!
 

evanescentriver

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From personal experience; I feel your pain; I could walk comfortably again after several days. Vicodin was a god send for me.


Get well soon!!!!
 

darkmavis

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Oh my goodness! I hope this surgery will lead to you finally feeling better overall. And in the meantime, I hope you begin to feel better from the surgery SOON!!!
 

jennyr

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I am so srry to hear of your problems and I do hope they have found the cause of the pain and that you feel better very soon. Everyone reacts differently to surgery and you have have had a rough time. Good vibes coming your way.
 

Winchester

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Hope you'll be back to normal in no time!

Had my gallbladder out several years ago....I had lost quite a bit of weight and it seems that rapid weight loss does a number on the gall bladder. I had been feeling crappy for several months and it got so bad I had to see a doctor. It was full of stones. Thankfully I had no ill effects from the laparoscopic surgery and, the day after I came home from the hospital, I was putting my new computer together.
I think I had four teeny little incisions.

Get as much rest as you can.
 

kailie

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I know how you feel doll! I had mine out when I was 16 because I was having crazy attacks. When I had a gallbladder attack I seriously thought I was dying, the pain was insane.


I hope you start feeling better soon!
 
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