Possible surgery and need help???

Question

I was just informed that I might have to have a surgery to remove my gall bladder. The test results come back today and we find out. My question is this.... does anyone on here know what the surgery involves? Will I be in alot of pain afterwards? I have asked the doctor these things, but of course being a doctor they just say the same thing.... you'll be fine and have very little pain. I would like some honest answers from someone who has gone through this sort of thing. If I do have to have it out will I have to change my diet to a certain way of eating? This is all new to me. I would appreciate any advice you can give.

Answer 1

Hiya,
Gall bladder surgery is fairly routine nowadays. Traditional surgery involved making a big incision and removing the diseased gall bladder. Laparascopic surgery is the norm today where they put in instruments through tiny holes in your abdomen and remove the gall bladder. You should be out of the hospital same day or maximum by the next day, and up and about and feeling fully normal in a week's time. Post op day one or two might be uncomfortable but should be a breeze. Diarrhoea or tummy upset might occur as the body gets used to it but settles down.
Minimally invasive with minimal discomfort if any.
The scars (very small ones to start with) lighten with time.
The digestion problems usually settle down within a few months.
Having had the surgery you dont have to make massive changes to your diet, just avoid very fatty diets.
Also, having had the surgery you wont have to worry about the attacks of pain & discomfort.

Dont worry.

All the best

Answer 2

Hi, I had my gallbladder out 5 yrs ago, the MD did it laprescopicly, you have 2 little holes for the probes and a small incision in the belly button ( that's where they pull the gallbladder out) I did stay overnight only because I had it out late in the evening, but some patients go home same day. It is not bad, I really didn't have much discomfort. The only thing that bothers some patients is the gas they use to blowup your abdomen, they do this to lift the tissue off the organs so they are excess able. Just tell your surgeon to degas you well, some patients have the most discomfort from the gas especially in the shoulders. I told my surgeon and had no pain from the gas. I layed around 2-3 days but did things slowly be-getting back in the swing cause I had a toddler at home. Also do not take morphine, they love to give that as pain med after surgery but it causes nausea, regular Tylenol if you can handle it. Eat what you want after-your system will adjust , you may have bouts of diarrhea.

Answer 3

I had my gall bladder removed last October. Keyhole is the most common way to remove the gall bladder these days,instead of the old way where they make a large incision to remove it. I had mine done with keyhole surgery. They make four incisions in separate areas of your abdomen,including your belly button. They won't know if they can do keyhole until they actually start the operation. When I woke up immediately after the op I was in heaps of pain in my stomach area. And I also was very sick from the anasthetic. They gave me heaps of morphine through IV which helped a bit. After I was released from hospital I was in a bit of pain but it wasn't severe. They gave me morphine tablets and antibiotics to take at home. The morphine really spaces you out.
Everything was fine for about 4 days and I seemed to be recovering well and then I started to get severe pain on the right side of my abdomen. I could barely walk and went to the dr the next day and ended up back at the hospital. I had a serious infection. Had to have IV antibiotics but the infection was spreading and then they made the descision to cut the wound in my belly button back open to release the infection. It hurt like hell.
Was in hospital for a week. After that I was ok,it just took time to get back to normal but I could drive after a week. I've been able to eat most things. Some food and drink make me sick such as anything too greasy. The other thing is I still sometimes get gall stone pain,even though I have no gall bladder now. The specialist said some people still get this, they don't know why. Now I''ve been told I may have stones in the bile duct so I have to have further tests to see. Hope I haven't scared you too much. I know heaps of people who have had theres (including my sister) out and they were all fine. I tthink I was just unlucky.

Answer 4

Please don't let these incompetent butchers take out your gallbladder. There are numerous liver/gallbladder flushes that will help you avoid this operation. Do a google search and type in curezone.com gallbladder and you will find tons of information on how to do these flushes.

As a Wellness Consultant, I have seen these flushes keep people out of the operating room. There is also an Amazonian herb called Chanca Piedra that works great at breaking up stones in the kidneys and the gallbladder. This would be my preferred choice over the flushes, but read some of the testimonials on curezone.com so you will have the confidence that you are doing the right thing. If you lose your gallbladder, your health will only get worse, especially if you don't limit your fat consumption.

Over 90% of my students do a Juice Fast and this alone will probably take care of your gallbladder problems. So, if I were you, I would do a juice fast and take some Chanca Piedra for about one month.

Answer 5

Surgery is not always needed. Talk to the doctor about the results. Unless you are in extreme pain all the time, I probably would not do the surgery. There are many things that can help; diet, dietary gallbladder flushes, and things like that. Unless there are stones that are obstructing, and would consult a dietitian and see if they can help. I am a Doctor of Chiropractic and I work with organ problems and can possibly help. I am in the St. Paul, Minnesota area, if you are somewhere else, look on the website www.sorsi.com to find a chiropractor in your area. Not all chiropractors can do this, look for a doctor from this website. Good luck and email me with any questions at [e-mail].

Answer 6

I am waiting for the exact same operation, but I have been in so much pain and now been in hospital three times due to this that I am actually looking forward to getting it over and done with. Nowadays they can perform this operation by keyhole which involves 3 or 4 very small incisions and maybe a 2 to 3 day stay in hospital. Maybe because this is not my first operation I am not at all nervous about it, don't worry they have ways of controlling any pain you may feel afterwards, I hope this helps and all goes well for you, maybe we can copmpare notes afterwards, good luck.

Answer 7

I had my gallbladder removed in 96 and it was pretty easy. I was home the next day. It was done laproscopy, with one incision under my navel, one about mid tummy and two tiny ones on my right side. I didn't have hardly any pain after and was back to work in five days. Not that it's that easy for everyone, but it's a simple procedure that is done daily.

Just watch what you eat. You'll have to test certain foods to see what you can have and can't. Salads and greasy foods are not my friend anymore.

Best of luck and feel better! You'll be amazed at how good you feel after.

Answer 8

My friend just had her GB removed last week. She went into the hospital at 7AM and released at 11AM. At home that evening she slept and by next morning she was actually up and doing things. She experienced no pain at all, and was so surprised that the incision was such a tiny place. She is able to eat everything she wants, and is doing great. This surgery is just a common little thing now. Years ago it was really bad, but not so today. Your Dr. is correct with his answers. If it needs to come out, have it done.

Answer 9

I had it done. If it is laproscopic there will be minimal scarring. One "buttonhole" in the stomach above bellybutton, one a little higher than that, and two little holes near the side of your waist.
It's a day surgery now, so you will go home that day if it is done laproscopically.
Post surgery: You will have pain in your SHOULDERS; that is just leftover gas; get a heating pad and put it on your shoulders; the pain will ease right away. You will feel better within 5 days post surgery. You do not have to change your diet at all, but you'll notice one or 2 foods that may not digest as well for you. For me it is iceberg lettuce. For my grandmother it is milk. Good luck.

Answer 10

Like any surgery, you will experience pain and some discomfort! My mother had her gall bladder removed when I was younger. She had to watch her diet and couldn't eat certain foods..BUT she did sometimes anyway! Every one has a different tolerance for pain...just relax and recover at your own pace. Good luck!