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Post by christine58 on May 26, 2022 15:50:51 GMT
So 1 week from tomorrow I am scheduled to have my gallbladder out laparoscopically. Any hints, suggestions, ideas? I know I’ll bring a small pillow in the car for the trip home. After a 12 day stay in the hospital for pancreatitis caused by gall stones I can’t wait for my gallbladder to be gone.
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Post by Zee on May 26, 2022 15:55:21 GMT
Everyone is different, but I had much worse pain from the gas bubbles that migrated up to my shoulderblade and back than I did from the little incisions.
Walk as much as you can to try to get rid of it--though that really didn't help me!
Go easy on the eating afterward until you know what your system can handle. Some people get diarrhea after eating fatty foods post-surg (I'm not one of those people, thankfully).
You should be fully back to all normal light activities in a day or two. More strenuous activities may take some time, check with your Dr.
Best of luck, it was one of my easier surgeries 🙂
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on May 26, 2022 16:02:50 GMT
I had mine out about 20 years ago in emergency surgery. Morning surgery and was released about 7 pm. I agree with walking as much as possible once you get home. I found holding a small pillow to my abdomen helped a little with that the first couple of days. Some people get diarrhea after eating fatty foods post-surg (I'm not one of those people, thankfully).  . Unfortunately I am one of those people. My suggestion is that you eat any greasy or fatty foods at home until you figure out what (if anything) causes it. Then you can avoid those foods while out and about. The relief you are going to feel will be worth any pain you go through with the recovery. Trust me! And be thankful you don't have a grade schooler who will take the photo of your gallstone to school as her Show & Tell object!   |
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Post by jovifan on May 26, 2022 17:53:08 GMT
Everyone is different, but I had much worse pain from the gas bubbles that migrated up to my shoulderblade and back than I did from the little incisions. Walk as much as you can to try to get rid of it--though that really didn't help me! This was me too! Had a kink in my back/shoulder. I kinda felt like crap longer than I thought….for me it was a good week before I felt ‘good’. Good luck C, hope it helps you feel better! ❤️ |
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Post by papersilly on May 26, 2022 18:00:38 GMT
i had mine out 11 years ago. my abdomen area was sore for days after because of all the rooting around done through the different incision points. the scars are tiny but i have 3 of them. the main one a few inches above my belly button is the biggest one because it was probably the main one. no stitches, just surgical tape afterwards.
walk as much as possible after surgery to get the gas out. if you have to cough, do very shallow coughs and hold a pillow over your abdomen to cushion the cough.
good luck with surgery and get well soon.
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Post by beachbum on May 26, 2022 18:05:19 GMT
I had mine taken out years ago, no issues after. My DH also had pancreatitis, his dr. said he'd never seen such a large pancreas! He also has had no issues. Good luck!
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Post by chlerbie on May 26, 2022 19:50:47 GMT
Get some Gas X. It will definitely help with that shoulder blade and back.
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Post by mellyw on May 26, 2022 20:01:48 GMT
Everyone is different, but I had much worse pain from the gas bubbles that migrated up to my shoulderblade and back than I did from the little incisions. Walk as much as you can to try to get rid of it--though that really didn't help me! Go easy on the eating afterward until you know what your system can handle. Some people get diarrhea after eating fatty foods post-surg (I'm not one of those people, thankfully). You should be fully back to all normal light activities in a day or two. More strenuous activities may take some time, check with your Dr. Best of luck, it was one of my easier surgeries 🙂 Those gas bubbles are no joke. I’ve had 5 abdominal surgeries and I dread those every time. Getting my gallbladder out was also one of my easier surgeries, thankfully I was super careful with what I ate at first, and I think I would have been just fine if the stress of moving hadn’t interfered (nothing like moving from Japan to England a month after surgery), but I also don’t have issues with fatty foods. I know several people who’ve had their gallbladder out and avoid pizza like the plague because of what it does to them Good luck. With you having been in so much pain, I bet your recovery will seem easier. But do heed the warning on the gas bubbles, especially if you’ve never had them. I’ve also been told to move as much as possible, can’t really say if it helped or not. They’re just painful little things till they work their way out |
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Post by CardBoxer on May 26, 2022 20:07:37 GMT
Everyone is different, but I had much worse pain from the gas bubbles that migrated up to my shoulderblade and back than I did from the little incisions. Walk as much as you can to try to get rid of it--though that really didn't help me! Go easy on the eating afterward until you know what your system can handle. Some people get diarrhea after eating fatty foods post-surg (I'm not one of those people, thankfully). You should be fully back to all normal light activities in a day or two. More strenuous activities may take some time, check with your Dr. Best of luck, it was one of my easier surgeries 🙂 This. A nurse told me my higher shoulder would hurt. That’s all that hurt. I took one Tylenol with codeine when I got home then either regular Tylenol or nothing. Mine was emergency surgery, and coincidentally the wife of one of my DH’s colleagues had surgery the same day. No one warned her about the shoulder pain and they were wondering about it, thought it was he weirdest thing. So my DH told him. My tolerance for different foods changed over time. |
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Post by MichyM on May 26, 2022 20:18:04 GMT
Son's partner had it done earlier this spring. Recovery was textbook, and not bad at all according to him. Hopefully yours will be too. Good luck!
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Post by bc2ca on May 26, 2022 20:32:42 GMT
Everyone is different, but I had much worse pain from the gas bubbles that migrated up to my shoulderblade and back than I did from the little incisions.  Thankfully I was warned about it, but it still surprised me how much discomfort and pain I had in the right shoulder. The incision points were nothing and the only other pain I remember was if I tried to roll over or get up/down from a chair too fast. I did take prescription pain medication the first couple nights but didn't need anything more than Tylenol during the day. Having a pillow in the car was useful and wear something loose and comfortable around the waist. I wouldn't bother wearing a bra because you aren't going to want to put it on after surgery. Also wear slip-on shoes and no socks. I felt surprisingly good the first couple days after surgery and woke up feeling like a truck had hit me on the third day. It wasn't pain, but I couldn't get comfortable, was very emotional and weepy. IIRC, there were restrictions on how much weight I could carry for a few weeks and I don't think I drove anywhere until after my post-op appointment. |
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pridemom
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Post by pridemom on May 26, 2022 20:33:01 GMT
I hope your experience is as easy as mine. I had surgery on Tuesday and Thursday was with my daughter testifying before a state legislative hearing. When I had mine out I realized that it had been causing spasms and painful diarrhea several times a week for 20 years. I have no problems after having it out. My brother has issues with loose stools since having his out, but his GI prescribed a powder he drinks dissolved in water and it helps greatly.
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Post by vjlau on May 26, 2022 20:33:55 GMT
I also had (what I expect you have) Gallbladder induced pancreatitis and spent 10 miserable days in the hospital waiting for more pain meds! It was not fun, I'm so sorry!
That being said, after all that, the gallbladder was easy peasy. Came home rested easy a few days, and have been fine since!
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Post by christine58 on May 26, 2022 20:41:35 GMT
I also had (what I expect you have) Gallbladder induced pancreatitis and spent 10 miserable days in the hospital waiting for more pain meds! It was not fun, I'm so sorry! That being said, after all that, the gallbladder was easy peasy. Came home rested easy a few days, and have been fine since! I spent 12 days in the hospital. And I cannot wait to get my gallbladder out. I completely understand why they didn’t do it when I had the pancreatitis but they had. |
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Post by librarylady on May 26, 2022 21:01:47 GMT
My surgery and recovery went very easy. A few weeks after recovery, I would have random sharp pain in that area, just one sharp pain. When asked, the surgeon told me those pains would last a year. About a year later I realized that those sharp pains had ceased.
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Post by kandie on May 26, 2022 22:07:41 GMT
I had mine out 3 weeks ago. It was the darn gas and bloating discomfort. Lots of walking around to help it pass. I had it out on a Friday and felt I was starting to turn the corner to feeling better on the Tuesday. I took one narcotic pain med the first night. The alternated Tylenol and ibuprofen for the next few days. So happy to have it out! Good luck to you!
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Post by mom2rjcr on May 26, 2022 22:13:03 GMT
I had emergency gallbladder surgery one year ago this month. The recovery for me was really easy and I felt so much better without my gallbladder. I didn't realize how sick it had been making me.
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Post by amp on May 26, 2022 22:17:47 GMT
So 1 week from tomorrow I am scheduled to have my gallbladder out laparoscopically. Any hints, suggestions, ideas? I know I’ll bring a small pillow in the car for the trip home. After a 12 day stay in the hospital for pancreatitis caused by gall stones I can’t wait for my gallbladder to be gone. I had this surgery about 15 years ago. I had no pain, no complications, and could eat anything I wanted immediately thereafter. I even got a Big Mac on the way home from the hospital. I'm vegan now, but back then, I never had a problem after the surgery, whereas before, if I ate any fatty food, I was in immense pain. The doctor signed me out of work for two weeks to recover, but after a couple of days, I felt great, and was playing video games all day...and I got to feeling guilty for being out on sick leave. So I had him sign my release to go back to work. In summary, it went great, and I recovered quickly. I hope your surgery goes as well as mine did! |
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carhoch
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Post by carhoch on May 26, 2022 22:30:20 GMT
Every recovery is different, mine was very easy and I wish you the same .
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Sue
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Post by Sue on May 26, 2022 23:02:56 GMT
I had pancreatitis caused by my gall bladder but was hospitalized for only a couple of days. A month later I had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery. My recovery was pretty easy, no painful bloating, diarrhea for only a day or two and then I could eat anything I wanted with no problems. My only lasting problem caused by the surgery is a hernia caused by the incision near my belly button which didn't heal properly. Doctor says it will only require repair surgery if it bothers me. So far, it hasn't and it's been 7 years.
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Post by cecilia on May 26, 2022 23:03:48 GMT
I had mine out in 2010. I was off work (retail) for a month due to lifting restrictions. I thought I was okay enough to sleep in bed. I wasn't. It hurt to sit, stand, get in bed, etc. Slept in a recliner for 2 weeks.
Bloating/gas wasn't bad for me. Using core muscles to go to bathroom, etc. was
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Post by crazy4scraps on May 26, 2022 23:05:18 GMT
Mine was pretty easy, I had day surgery early in the morning and was on my way home by lunchtime. Definitely wear loose fitting clothes that are easy on/off.
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Post by christine58 on May 27, 2022 2:07:18 GMT
Thanks for all the great suggestions. My pancreatitis was caused by gallstones I’ve never been so sick in my life.
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peabay
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Post by peabay on May 27, 2022 11:18:03 GMT
I had emergency gallbladder surgery one year ago this month. The recovery for me was really easy and I felt so much better without my gallbladder. I didn't realize how sick it had been making me. Same. Had been dealing with bouts of severe nausea for 20 years and I was sure it was gluten or dairy or fructose etc…. They magically disappeared when I had my gallbladder out. Recovery was also easy for me - I spent a lot of time in a rocking chair which seemed to mitigate the gas bubbles and just felt good. Long term - occasionally (and very occasionally - like I think it’s happened once a year) I’ve gotten cramping and diarrhea if I ate something super high in fat but it’s no big deal and I don’t usually eat like that anyway. |
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huskergal
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Post by huskergal on May 27, 2022 12:19:28 GMT
I had the shoulder pain and my diaphragm hurt from being expanded. I couldn't believe how sore my upper abs were.
I recovered quickly and have had no lasting issues.
Good luck.
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Post by scrapmaven on May 29, 2022 16:02:24 GMT
The only way to get rid of the gas pain in your shoulder is to walk around for 10 minutes. Think of it as a burp. You just need a huge belch in your shoulder. Barring any complications which shouldn't be an issue, it's a 45 minute surgery. It was my easiest surgery next to my appendectomy. It'll probably be outpatient. Stay on top of your pain meds. Use that pillow for getting out of bed and getting out of sitting positions. I was off all meds in a couple of days. You got this, christine58. |
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2022 16:14:57 GMT
I had a very easy time by the sound of others on here. I had no gas pain. In fact I didn't have any pain at all unless you count a bit of soreness round the belly button stitch. The other two were fine. I did feel very tired afterwards though for about two weeks.
I've had no issues since and I eat everything with no consequences.
I hope you'll be as lucky as me. Good luck.
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Post by nightnurse on May 29, 2022 16:38:34 GMT
Constipation immediately after surgery is likely. I recommend whatever stool softener/mild laxative of choice. I have both patient perspective and nurse perspective. Lap surgery is generally a pretty easy recovery. You’ll be tired-your poor body has been dealing with pancreatitis and hall stones and surgery-so rest between the walks. Walking also helps get the bowels going again. Plenty of water. Narcotic pain meds are constipating so keep that in mind if you need them. I was way more comfortable post surgery than pre. Sounds like youve had a miserable time, I hope it’s easier from here on out
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Marina
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Post by Marina on May 29, 2022 17:38:13 GMT
Regarding pain meds I was told to stay ahead of the pain but also leery of oxy. So my post op nurse told me how to take half but combined with advil. So ask about options if it's a concern for you. I only used the one for a couple of days.
Also I was told only to walk on flat trails. Heed this advice for the first month. I was stupid and after a week took what I considered an easy trail. Not a great experience.
The pillow is great for up and down. Ask ahead what you should have on hand like Colace (mine was without a laxative) but I think I did have a laxative prescribed too. Otherwise you will need someone to do a store run for you. Stock fridge with easy to digest meals.
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katybee
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Post by katybee on May 29, 2022 19:04:15 GMT
I agree with everyone about the gas being worse than the incision pain. I was home the next day and even walked my dog. I did not take narcotics…just prescription strength ibuprofen.
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. Unfortunately I am one of those people. My suggestion is that you eat any greasy or fatty foods at home until you figure out what (if anything) causes it. Then you can avoid those foods while out and about. 
Thankfully I was warned about it, but it still surprised me how much discomfort and pain I had in the right shoulder. The incision points were nothing and the only other pain I remember was if I tried to roll over or get up/down from a chair too fast. I did take prescription pain medication the first couple nights but didn't need anything more than Tylenol during the day.
