At the end of this month im getting my gall bladder removed? has anyone had this done?

Question

so far its getting removed by key hole, but have been told that it can turn to open surgery.

i am just a little nervous about it.

i see the surgeon on the 15 of sept to get told how it will be all done and anything else that has to happen.

how long did it take for you to recover after the surgery?

what causes you to have an attack?

if anyone has any stories about it please dont be afraid to tell me i want to know everything about it.

thanks

Answer 1

I had my gallbladder removed in February 1994 due to gallstones.  I had four attacks.

My surgery was laproscopic (4 holes) and I was put to sleep.

Normally they don't open you up unless there is a problem, which is rare.  This is a frequently done procedure.

I had mine done at a hospital and stayed overnight.  They get you up and moving the next morning. They sent me home as soon as I could eat.

It took me about three weeks to recover from my surgery (when I went back to work), but I started feeling better after a week.  The incision(s) take a while to heal, but they are no problem.  I went back to the doctor for a follow-up two weeks after.

I had my first attack in October 1994, but I didn't know that's what it was until I had another one a month after that.  With me, I had an attack eating anything with fat in it.  It seemed to make the stones active.  Each attack got worse. My worst attack was a couple of weeks before I had my surgery.  I had eaten roast beef with gravy.  An hour later the attack started.  My attacks would last two hours at the most; starting with extreme pain radiating to my back. The only comfortable position I could be in during that time was on my back with my knees up.  After two hours of pain, the attack would end with me throwing up.

There is one thing you should know:  There is a rare complication (not bad) that some people have after having their gallbladders removed.  They may  have the runs after eating.  This is due to the bile directly going into the digestive tract due to no gallbladder.  The treatment for this is taking Questran (or generic) Powder.  This stuff picks up the bile so you can digest food normally and don't have the runs.  I take it every morning.  Don't let that stop you from having the surgery.  That's better than having a gallbladder attack.

Answer 2

I had mine out when I was 23.It took about 6 weeks to recover.Mine was full blown surgery,before the laser stuff came out.My attacks were caused by a build of of calcium deposits also known as gall stones.37 of the little buggers had me in pain all the time and I couldn't eat anything.The worst part is not being able to lift anything over 10 pounds for 6 weeks.It is an internal organ so lifting heavy things could cause internal bleeding.The newer surgeries are much more advanced so you may only need a few weeks recovery and you probably wont have the 6 inch long scar.Good luck and you will feel better when it's all over.