Anyone had their gallbladder removed?

M

moni_stout

Guest
I found out yesterday that I need to have my gallbladder removed. They do it through a laparoscopic procedure. Has anyone reading this had it done? If so, do you remember when you could start exercising again? I am so bummed out! I really have gotten into a good groove with my workouts and am seeing progress -- I don't want to take a break! I have a vacation scheduled October 13, that I really wanted to be fit for. The worst part of it also is that I am going to have to schedule my surgery while my husband is out of town. He is gone for most of September, so I have no choice other than having the surgery when I am home alone. I am feeling a little scared. I have never even had a stitch in my life! Any words of advice are appreciated.

Monica
 
How do you have your gallbladder removed? Can you still go pee after it?? Sorry I know your the one with the real question Monica. Well, I say if your husband can't be with you duing the sugury, do you have kids? Maybe they could be w/ you. I hope everyhting goes well for you!

Good Luck,
~Adri;-)
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I had my gall bladder out 13 years ago and I wasn't exercising consistently then so let me preface it with that. What I remember from my surgery though was a lot of soreness in the ab area so ab work and high impact are out of the question for at least a week - probably longer. You can go for powerwalks and do weights though. Listen to your body. If something hurts or feels uncomfortable, don't do it.

Do you have another family member or friend who can be there for you during your surgery?

Sue
 
I had mine out 2 years ago via the same procedure. I don't want to scare you but I don't want to candy coat it either. I would recommend having someone with you 24/7 for the first few days or until you can move around on your own. I could not get up and down - including going to the toliet without my husband being there helping me. I had mine on a Friday and went grocery shopping on Sunday and had to be pushed in a wheelchair. You are very, very sore in your ab area and you would be surprised how much you use that area to do pretty much everything. Also I made the mistake of not wearing panties for the first day because I was worried it would hurt my stiches in my belly button. Soon as I put on undies my pain lessened some. I am not sure about the working out part because I wasn't really working out back then very much.

Good luck! Also, I tend to get a upset tummy really easy now. Things that I could eat before (pickles, peanut butter, milk, sugar) freak my stomach out. And with alcohol - I never was a drinker so it isn't a big deal for me but I have stomach problems for a few days after drinking now.
 
>How do you have your gallbladder removed? Can you still go
>pee after it??

You're confusing the gallbladder (an exit for the liver) and the bladder (where urine is held).

A colleague of mine just had her gallbladder removed and said it's a simple procedure (but I've also read of cleanses that remove gall stones without surgery).
 
That's right, I remember now how hard it was to get up from a chair, bed, anything. You don't realize how much you use your ab muscles in everyday life until it hurts to use them. I was able to walk fine though and didn't need a wheelchair - everyone's different I guess.

Another thing is the gas they pump into your abdomen for the surgery. It takes a few days to work itself through your system. My SIL thought getting up and moving around helped move the gas through faster but I thought it made it hurt more. I had sharp pains between my shoulder blades and it felt better to lie down. And then of course, I couldn't get up without rolling out of bed and using my arms to brace my weight and take the workload off the abs!

I'm still glad I had it done. I had very bad gallstone attacks - even ending up in an ER one night. I don't have any after effects of the surgery other than some very faint scars.

Sue

P.S. Keep in mind I had my surgery 13 years ago. Hopefully with medical improvements the recovery process is quicker and less painful.
:)
 
Oh yeah! The gas stuff they pump into you makes your shoulders sore for a while after.

Also, I have a bit of a poochy tummy still after having my son and that may have caused alot of my issues.
 
I just had mine out in March.
It was laproscopic. I went in at 6:30 and was home in bed at 12:30.
I was really sore for about 3 days. Went back to work in 4.
I was too drained to work out. I was allowed on the treadmill and bike.I ended up with a back ache for about 5 days from the gas.
After 2 weeks i could lift up to 20 lbs( I asked him in each hand).
He laughed.
I month later I was back to almost noraml lifting. 2 months and i was back . Abs were the problem. The incision by the middle of my chest was the worst as fara as soreness.
I was glued with inward stitches and have very littls scars. 3+ 1 in the belly button.
My digestive track took about a monthe to get back to normal.
You still can't eat fatty stuff. It will go right through you.
It wasn't too bad.
I do feel alot better now.
Anne
http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
I'm actually envious of those who have laparoscopic procedures. I had my GB taken out before the advent of laparascopy and while I was glad for it, the recovery took months, not to mention the lovely 6" scar on my upper abdomen. :-(

From what I've heard, your recovery won't take long at all provided you comply with your doctor's orders. Be sure to ask specifically when you can start working out again.

This is a small bump in what will hopefully be a long and healthy road of fitness for you. You'll be glad you had it done. Good luck!
 
Hi Monica,

The first thing I would recommend is getting a second opinion! I had a ct-scan a few months ago and they discovered I had gallstones. The doctor sent me to a surgeon, and the first thing he wanted to know was if I was having pain on the right side or having "attacks." I said no, and he said that these days they don't recommend removing your gallbladder just because you have gallstones. He said they could have been there a long time, and unless they cause me pain, it doesn't hurt to leave them alone. I was so relieved!

So please go see another doctor because agreeing to surgery! Best wishes!!!!!!!
 
My sister just had it done. She couldn't lift her baby for about 3-4 days, but she really wasn't in any pain. She said she is so glad it was done since it was causing her alot pain before. They found 2 dozen stones in it!
It all went well for her. Good luck.
Maeghan AKA megadoo

New pics added in July 25 2006 and Fitness album!!!!

http://www.3fatchicks.net/img/bar072/slider-but3/lb/203/145/151/.png[/img] [/url]

http://www.picturetrail.com/megadoo2
 
Thanks for the suggestion Carolyn. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing a great amount of pain. I have an attack almost every evening now. I think I am going to have to just buck up and do it. It is so wonderful to read everyone else's experiences. It helps me to know what to expect, since I truly have no idea. I'm sure that after I talk to the surgeon he/she will also give me more ideas on what to expect. From the responses above it sounds like the laparoscopic procedure isn't nearly as bad as the conventional surgery. It also sounds like I might need my mom to stay with me for a couple of days. Thanks again for sharing your experiences with me. I really appreciate it!

Monica
 
hi:) It will be alright! I was scared too about the surgery. I had the laparoscopic surgery about 8 years ago when I was 22. The diagnosis was missed for years because of my age...it will be a relief when they take it out. It took me about 4 days to feel comfortable afterwards. I stayed the night in the hospital because the surgery scared me to much and my blood pressure soared...but I assure you, it's fine and in hindsight, it didn't help me to worry that much!

I did have trouble with certain foods for 1-2 yrs afterward, especially rich foods like fettucine alfredo. But, I can eat anything I want to now without a problem as long as it's in moderation.

A friend of mine had this surgery actually 3 days ago and the doctor gave her a prescription for vicodin (sp?) and a stool softener to take home with her. You won't feel like going out and will need help with meals, errands and moral support. I would suggest that someone stay with you after the surgery. If not your DH, maybe a friend or relative? just for the first 2 days at least?

I honestly think you could start exercising 2 weeks later, but I would talk to the surgeon about that. I was active again about 10 days later. :+

you'll get back into a groove afterwards, and you won't be struck by pain or sickness in the middle of the night or after you eat! so, your quality of life will improve immensely making it easier to exercise and be healthy in the long run!

annie
 
Monica - To help alleviate your pain for now until you have the surgery you should avoid any high fat foods. I did this and it really helped. Hope all works out for you!

Sue
 
Just get it done. It really is not that bad. Sore, not unbearable.
Darvocett worked better for me than the vicodin.Vicodin made me sick.
Before i had mine out. Dry toast was making me sick. Canteloupe , fruit, mashed potatoes, everything...
I thought i was going to die.
Stool softner is a good idea. I had to take a couple herbal lax after 3 days. I think the anesthia does that to you.
Now, I can do anything. I think the bathroom part is this. When you gotta go, you gotta go now. No waiting. I eat i go.
I have heard this is a side affect.
Anne

http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina
 
I second the Darvocet - vicodin makes me nauseous too. I was having attacks every night too and would cry all night pretty much. It was a big relief to have it done but im a big wimp and never had surgery before and wasn't happy (plus not wearing undies didn't help!)
 
Had mine done last November. No problemo! Was in hosp at about 6 am and home by noon. They did it laproscopically. Hurt to sit up for the first few days from a laying or recline postion to fully upright, but nothg bad, just use your arms to sit up instead of your abs. Worst was the first night, I sleep on my stomach which wasnt possible, and when I laid down on my back, like all my muscles and stitches spasmed. Other than that no probs, 2 days later made my husb take me to the mall. I was going insane at home on the couch. I didn't go back to work for almost 2 wks, but only bc I had to get a Dr release and that's when I could schedule the appt. I started lower impact floor aerobics maybe 5 days later (w/o Dr. consent) and fully back after I saw Dr. for checkup. Took about 2 wks for ab exercises to be fully comforable. The only thing I would say is take it easy - I got tired out real easy the 1st wk or so. 2nd wk I was off work I was Xmas shopping. Also, make sure you've got a few pair of clean sweats or drawstring pants. My belly swelled up like I was 7 months pregnant for a few days - Dr. said was due to air they pump in so they can see what they're doing. I was quite shocked that my jeans wouldn't fit. My belly button was probably the sorest and that was just mostly irritating bc my pants would rub against it. The worst of the pain wwas gone w/in 24 hrs and at its worst it wasnt very bad. You'll probably just feel like you did your 1st really tough Cathe workout!!
Best wishes and good luck. No problems!!
 
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