oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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I have to have my gallbladder removed because of gallstones and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect? Also are there stiches involved with this surgery? I don't see the surgen until next Wednesday so I would like a little more information about it now.
Thanks.
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Sky_Queen
Fly Girl
Reged: 12/03/02
Posts: 1971
Loc: Texas
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My husband had his gallbladder removed last December, they did the LAPAROSCOPIC method (through his belly button) and he had two small incisions around that area, the stitches that dissolve on their own. It was day surgery and he had very little discomfort, was up and moving around the next day with a little soreness. I was surprised how easy it went! He felt much better having it out actually. He got a script for 30 Lortab 5/500 with one refill and hardly took any at all, just the first couple of nights. Do you have more than one stone and are they big or small? He had one big stone. The old fashioned surgery was much more invasive so I think these days it's not that big of a deal so I think you'll do very well! Best of luck and let us know how it goes. Try doing a Google search, I came up with this link but there was many more with lots of info.
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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Thanks so much for the site. It actually had some really good info.
Well, when I got the call today my doctor told me that I have 1 almost inch in size gallstone in my gallbladder. I have been having alot of stomach problems lately and I am just so happy that they know what it is now.
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14stones
Board Addict
Reged: 06/18/03
Posts: 336
Loc: On the beach in California
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I had the laproscopic method to remove my gallbladder. OUCH!!!!!!
It was very painful for me at the time but, I wasn't given anything other than motrin for the pain and didn't know better on what to ask for so there you go. I couldn't get out of bed for about a week and then when I did I couldn't eat for another couple of days.
I went back for my doctors visit and he asked how i was doing and he said something like "You should have called and asked for something stronger for the pain!" and I said "its your job to give me the right stuff in the first place" and switched from that craphole Kaiser Permenente to what I have now.
If you are properly medicated for the pain then you should be fine. Expect food to upset your belly a little bit for a little while and then of course, no matter WHAT your doctor says, drink gobs of water/juice for the rest of your life or you will develope Kidney Stones by the bunches too like I did and that is a million times worse.
PM me if you have any other questions, I am certain that if I poke around I can find some info on my procedure.
Hang in there, as long as your doctor takes care of your pain you will sail right through it.
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tone
Veteran
Reged: 06/29/03
Posts: 558
Loc: Chicago
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i cant even touch my belly button or powerful nervious energy shoots all out from it, its try to touch your eye almost or having your penis cut
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trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 133
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I wonder what happens when you are already on a LA opiate med, and then you have gallbladder surgery, what do they prescribe then for this type of surgery? I have to have this same type of surgery SOON, and I am on oxyc, but don't know what the doc will do for more pain from the surgery. What are your thoughts? I am getting a referral from my PM doc for the general surgeon....but don't know what to expect...
Thanks, and good luck to you also Oldnavy!!
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The truth shall set you free!
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bucket
Journeyman
Reged: 04/03/04
Posts: 55
Loc: wisconsin
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okay here i am to scare you all......lol I had to have my gall bladder removed the hard way a little over a year ago. They couldn't get in lap because of a previous surgery i had leaving me with adhesions (small balls of scar tissue under the skin). It is a very painful surgery in the old fashion way. But, i had a pretty good surgeon and when i told her the lortab wasn't wasn't taking away my pain she gave me a script for 50ct 7mg percocet. and for my 2 week follow up gave me 40 more....gotta love that...lol and to close the incision they used staples. And they don't hurt coming out either. Anyway i guess what i want to say is good luck and i hope you can have it done lap. 
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Flavia
Journeyman
Reged: 01/29/03
Posts: 65
Loc: Baja Oklahoma
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I don't mean to scare you, and most people don't have much of a problem with this procedure at all. But, mine hurt for 7 months afterwards, and I couldn't sleep except in one position with a heating pad on that area. It wasn't horrendous, but it was a lot worse than they said. It seems to vary greatly. Flavia
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In this day and age, you need a crutch to get through life. If you don't, you are dead, in a
coma or seriously mentally impaired.
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trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 133
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Oldnavy, when are you going to have your gallbladder removed? I go in for my pre-surgery consult next week. I have two 1 inch stones, that drop me to my knees, and doubled over when they dance!! LOL, anyways...I guess I just need to find out the insurance coverage for me..
I wonder if they will give me additional pain meds for the additional pain from the surgery??? Does anyone know?? Help, I am really concerned!
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The truth shall set you free!
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Janbo
Newbie
Reged: 02/02/04
Posts: 25
Loc: Northeast, USA
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OldNavy & Trixxie, I sure hope you both are able to have the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is a lot less invasive and has a much shorter recovery time.
Due to a blocked bile duct, I had the old-fashioned (traditional) surgical method of gallbladder removal and was in the hospital for five days.
As for your questions regarding the pain meds you are already taking - please tell your surgeon, in advance, about them and ask what can be done to compensate for your existing tolerance to these medications.
Before my last operation, pain relief was one of my big concerns, too, since I already was taking opioids for other problems. The surgeon was very understanding about it. We worked out a plan, in advance, regarding the post-surgical pain pump and I had no problem in that regard.
Best wishes to you both for successful operations! You should feel a lot better once those gallbladders (and gallstones) are history.
Janbo
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JB
Not really invisible - it just seems that way
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kimbuka
Enthusiast
Reged: 12/14/03
Posts: 219
Loc: Midwest
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Hi ladies...I'm so glad I came across something that I can relate to! I had my gullbladder removed 4 years ago...here's my scoop on it.
I had a stone 1 1/2 in size, the Doc said it was rather large. Gave me the option to remove the stone where it would probably just keep re-occurring, or have the Gullbladder removed. I chose to have it removed because the pain that came from the stone really did hurt. It was odd because it wasn't so much pain in the gut but more so the pain was all along the right side of my back and always felt like a really tight stretching/cramping feeling.
Anyway, I was fortunate to have the Lap type procedure. 3 very small cuts. One at the belly button and the other two near each other on the stomach. There won't be any stitches that have to be removed. I have scars but they are so very little. As for recovery, I went to work a couple of days after the surgery but should have waited a full week or more. Basically I was just really sore. My belly was sore. The most uncomfortable part was that there was-what was described as a stump-that rubbed against my rib. The stump was there because that is what is left after the laser surgery to remove the gullbladder. (This is what a Doc explained to me). Other than that, it wasn't bad as far as being to much in pain. I can't remember what was given to me for meds, but I assure you it wasn't anything very strong...darvocet I think.
The absolute worst part was that I ended up gaining like 60 pounds afterwards within a year. I didn't change anything about me, not my moods, I was living happy, I didn't eat differently, I didn't change anything. The Doc had failed to explain to me that the gullbladder is a FAT BIO DUCT (something like that) and it basically seperates the fat from what you eat...so when it's removed then that organ isn't there any longer to do whatever that seperation did. I know, it don't make sense, but its true.
On a more happy note, I learned to eat healthier and have finally lost all that weight and feel normal again.
So, ladies, you will be fine, but do try to read some good material about this organ. I wish you luck and will keep you in prayers. It's not a difficult surgery (usually its not) so as long as you keep positive thoughts, you'll recover nicely and quickly and shouldn't have any problems.
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dallasgirl
Stranger
Reged: 03/18/04
Posts: 3
Loc: Dallas TX
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Hey Old Navy,
Sorry to hear about your gallbladder troubles! I can definitely relate. I had mine out July 2003. They made four small incisions (laproscopic surgery). I can honestly say that the surgical pain wasn't that bad, however...they fill your abdominal cavity with air to do the surgery. I had TREMENDOUS pain from the air bubbles later that day. The pain was in my SHOULDER!! The doctor said that's where the air goes..rises into your muscles. The pressure in the abdomen right after was uncomfortable, but my shoulder hurt bad for 2 days. Don't want to scare you, but be prepared. They gave me #30 Lortab 7.5 with one refill. Didn't help the shoulder at all though. Good luck...I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
Jennifer
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buey
Old Hand
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 453
Loc: USA
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I had mine out about 5 yrs ago via the lap.method as well. The worst part of the ordeal was vomiting from the anesthesia. I got home and puked on the floor because I was so dopey from the anesthesia and so incredibly nauseous I could not make it to the bathroom in time.
The incisions hurt but I was given two percocets in the surgery center and then two weeks worth of Vicodin ES to take home and that took care of most of the pain. When I took the pain pills, my belly was just sore, not painful.
I had three incisions. One in the naval and two in the abdomen. All of them were closed with disolvable stitches and covered with steri-strips and then again covered with regular small bandaids. There was a tiny bit of leakage from the wounds, but nothing much.
I was happy to have that organ removed. The pain of the attacks from the stone were excrutiating and much, much more painful than the surgery. I was up and around after surgery within a couple of days and could have gone back to work. I chose to take a week off from work though to relax. I own my own business so it was not a problem. I had my post op a week after the surgery and everything was fine.
Oh, and by the way...about the fat and the gallbladder. Your liver still makes and dumps bile into the intestines to dissolve fats. The bile is just not stored anywhere anymore, awaiting the introduction of fat into the body to be pushed out since the gallbladder is gone. Instead the bile is a constant drip and will still dissolve the fats. Not sure why you would gain so much weight because of having your gallbladder removed. I was working out during that time period in my life (pretty intensly) and never gained any weight. I did pack some on when I stopped working out. About time I get back on the wagon and start up again.
Good luck with your surgery. It really is not a big deal and I'm sure it will be a relief to get it out. No more attacks!
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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Quote:
Oh, and by the way...about the fat and the gallbladder. Your liver still makes and dumps bile into the intestines to dissolve fats. The bile is just not stored anywhere anymore, awaiting the introduction of fat into the body to be pushed out since the gallbladder is gone. Instead the bile is a constant drip and will still dissolve the fats. Not sure why you would gain so much weight because of having your gallbladder removed. I was working out during that time period in my life (pretty intensly) and never gained any weight. I did pack some on when I stopped working out. About time I get back on the wagon and start up again.
Actually thats another good question. How long were you not able to work out for? I joined Curves 2 months ago and I don't want to miss too much.
I really appreciate all the great information that everyone has provided.
Thanks.
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oldnavy170
Board Addict
Reged: 05/12/03
Posts: 357
Loc: New York
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Quote:
Oldnavy, when are you going to have your gallbladder removed? I go in for my pre-surgery consult next week. I have two 1 inch stones, that drop me to my knees, and doubled over when they dance!! LOL, anyways...I guess I just need to find out the insurance coverage for me..
I wonder if they will give me additional pain meds for the additional pain from the surgery??? Does anyone know?? Help, I am really concerned!
I go see the surgen this coming Wednesday and I will find out then when the surgery will be. I suppose that they will wait till June because of Memorial Day coming but then again who knows.
My doctor did tell me that if I get in any kind of severe pain between now and when I have my surgery that I should go to the ER and they'll just remove it then. I hope that my body waits it out.
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trixxie
Member
Reged: 05/23/03
Posts: 133
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Oldnavy, thats where I am at too, funny(read strange)I didn't realize all those tummy aches(minor) were my gallbladder acting up. So, now 2 and 2 are added up, well I am glad that I don't have to suffer with it any more. I also have the back pain as well. You don't want the stones to get stuck, as they can become infected and cause gangrene, and then the surgery is on an emergency basis. I hope I don't have to take much time off, unless the weather is really good....
I think mine will be in June as well, but will find out more after the pre-surgery consult.
regards
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The truth shall set you free!
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mrscoach
Journeyman
Reged: 07/29/02
Posts: 82
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I had a large gallstone as well (an inch in diameter) and had my gallbladder removed laproscopically 3 years ago. It was no big deal. A breeze. I did have the sore shoulder someone mentioned earlier, but it was gone pretty quickly (same day as surgery).
I would best describe my post-surgery pain as feeling like someone who wasn't very strong had punched me in the stomach. A little sore. Vicodin was definitely enough for my pain. However, I tend to recover really quickly from surgeries with a high pain threshold (why I am at DB then, I'll never know! Ha ha). They say, however, that redheaded women (which I am) have the highest tolerance for pain of anybody. So maybe that explains it.
Regardless, it's quite non-invasive with the laproscopic variety. I'm sure you'll be very happy when it's gone - the gallstone attacks are WAY worse than the recovery, in my opinion. I thought I was dying or something when they would happen!
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"I'm not tense - just terribly, terribly alert."
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537
Threadhead
Reged: 12/08/01
Posts: 785
Loc: west coast CA
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Amen sister. Redhead here, and I can attest to the fact that I am one of the toughest women you'll ever meet!!   But seriously, I have heard that, as well as redheads bleeding more during surgeries and childbirth. I can attest to that, to. When I delivered my first son, my uterus got pulled out (inverted), too. Apparently the delivery room looked like a horror movie, with blood even on the ceiling. So I've been told. I don't remember too much about that.
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buey
Old Hand
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 453
Loc: USA
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Quote:
Quote:
Oh, and by the way...about the fat and the gallbladder. Your liver still makes and dumps bile into the intestines to dissolve fats. The bile is just not stored anywhere anymore, awaiting the introduction of fat into the body to be pushed out since the gallbladder is gone. Instead the bile is a constant drip and will still dissolve the fats. Not sure why you would gain so much weight because of having your gallbladder removed. I was working out during that time period in my life (pretty intensly) and never gained any weight. I did pack some on when I stopped working out. About time I get back on the wagon and start up again.
Actually thats another good question. How long were you not able to work out for? I joined Curves 2 months ago and I don't want to miss too much.
I really appreciate all the great information that everyone has provided.
Thanks.
I started up again in two weeks but everyone is different so please consult with your surgeon during your post op exam about this. I wouldn't want to see you hurt because you started working out too early!
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