[toriiixx]

i have to get my gallbladder removed on tuesday.
its to the point that i cant eat without getting really sick.
im really really nervous.
ive never had surgery before and i have a small blood disorder.
i kno its an easy surgery
but im so afraid something will go wrong.
any advice?

[bebop]

I had mine out about 12 yrs ago. no biggie. my stepmom had hers out in the fall, she was in at 8 and out of the hospital by 10. just relax hon.

[lynn P.]

I'm sure you're having it done laparoscoply where they just do a few small cuts and take it out? Years ago they had to do a much larger incision. Just do some deep breathing and have faith everything will be fine. You will feel much better once it's removed. Good luck with the surgery and a speedy recovery.

[ErinBear]

Hi Toriixx,

Sorry to hear about the trouble with your gallbladder. It's no fun at all, that's for sure! I had mine out in 1996, and I was sure sick before they did the surgery, so I feel for you.

I think it's normal to feel nervous when you are having surgery for the first time. I know I was. I would imagine that they are removing your gallbladder laparascopically, as they usually do these days. That's how they did my surgery, and it went well. I've done so much better since it was removed. I encourage you to tell the nurses and doctors at the hospital that you are feeling nervous/scared...whatever you feel....on the day of the surgery. Let them know that this is the first time that you've had surgery, and it's concerning you. Be sure to let them know of your special health concerns also. My experience is that they are usually very kind at the hospital when you are having surgery, but if they know that you are worried or frightened, they will try extra-hard to put you at ease and be thoughtful.

Best wishes with your surgery. Hopefully you'll soon be feeling much better!

Take care,
ErinBear

[ECHOES]

Well, my advice would be to relax knowing you are in good hands , under the care of people who chose a profession because they like to help others feel better.

If you are nervous and scared on the day of your surgery, let them know that and they will be very reassuring.

When I had mine out I felt fine in 2 days. The day after the surgery I felt good but the effects of the anesthesia were kind of lingering so I felt tired. Of course that could also have been relaxing after feeling tense about the surgery. So I rested the day after, and the the day after that I was up and about and sore in the spots where the small incisions were, but feeling just fine

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes

[toriiixx]

thanks everyone
my surgery was yesturday
and im in unbearable pain

[Pup]

My tutor(like a mummy to me) and my cousin had theirs removed. They were in A LOT of pain too. Infact, my tutor got an infection, but she was back at school within a week! She's amazing and had to be there for our leavers day(last week). My cousin recovered and is fine now as is my tutor (in progress I'm assuming still as she only had it 2 weeks ago).

Have you been given any painkillers? Could you get any if not?

Make sure you treat yourself well and keep relaxed.
It'll be okay.

[Rmdctc]

Sorry your in alot of pain. I hope you heal fast. Let us know how your feeling later. Good luck!

[ECHOES]

(((toriiixx))) Make sure you take your pain medication on the schedule it was prescribed. Don't wait for the pain to be awful before taking your pain med.

If you don't feel your pain getting better, call your doctor and ask for something else to help you. Your doctor wants you to be comfortable.

Keep us posted

[sunflower55]

Thank you for posting this!
My doctor and I are looking at this for myself right now. I had tests done at the hospital last Thursday, due to unbearable pain in my side and back and shoulder. My doc sent me to the hospital after he examined me. But, nothing showed up on the CAT scan, ultrasound, exray, bloodwork or urinalysis!
They sent me home with pain killers.

The pain went away a few days later, but, it's back today. Of course, it's a holiday weekend, and no one's around, so, it's just me monitoring it. Not too comforting. I'm hurting now. What started as a slow, burning type pain today is now deeper and more painful with occassional sharp pangs.

So, I'm scared.
I've had surgery before. I don't like it but, I'm not afraid of it. But, I just don't want anymore.
And I'm afraid to take the pain killers cuz it will dull any pain that may be telling me to get to the hospital!

Wish I knew that it was definately gallbladder, and knew what to do right now. I'm not a happy puppy about now.

I look forward to hearing more from you about how you're feeling now....

Peace!

[daggy]

Originally Posted by toriiixx

thanks everyone
my surgery was yesturday
and im in unbearable pain

Just saw this thread .
sorry about the pain toriiixx I hope it settles soon.

I was just wondering if it makes a difference when they take the gall bladder out you have a gallstone that is pretty big (so they tell me) as to the method or procedure ( sorry I am grasping for terms but I don't know how to word it )
Anyhow I had an ultra sound done and it showed a 25mm gallstone and the dr wanted to take it out straight away but I was reading were you can break it down and not have to have the bladder out ? Anyhow my question is
Am I just dreaming trying to get it to break down or should I not worry and just get the whole thing taken out ?

[ECHOES]

Sunflower If it would reassure you, go to the ER to find out if the pain is from the gallbladder. Then you can take the pain medication and feel better.

Also, holiday weekend or not, your doctor should be available to you by phone through his answering service. He could advise/reassure you in a quick call. It is part of the job to be available at times like this.

[ECHOES]

daggy, in the US they used to remove just the stone, but currently they remove the gallbladder when they find a stone, or sludge, because it indicates the gallbladder isn't functioning.

The cholecystectomy, gallbladder removal, is typically an easy procedure. It's done laparscopically (used to be through a large incision that required weeks of healing), and the paitent has 3 small--1 inch or less-- incisions for the instruments. It's a quick procedure, very routine. My own surgeon had his removed, went into work the next day to check on something and ended up staying and working because he felt fine! When he removed my GB, I was kept overnight for observation (I slept, they observed evidentally ). Then I was discharged and went home and except for being a bit groggy from the anesthesia, I felt fine and was doing my regular activites the following day.

[daggy]

I think I will be going back to see the Doctors because being me I did not take it that seriously but having heard what could happen if I dont I will be more attentive thanks for all the info

[sunflower55]

Thanks, Echoes,

I know I could call my doc. He's wonderful.
If I need to, I will. But, I don't want to be a wuss either.
Doing ok tonight. Went to a cookout and took it easy with food and drink. Had a great time with friends and family.

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement.

Peace!

[smiley1984]

If you have gall stones in the gall bladder itself, they can sit there quite happily causing no symptoms, they cause problems when they move into the bile ducts and block things up causing pain and potentially infection.
You can have the stone removed without having surgery - it's called an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) just google it. They go through your mouth with an endoscope, use special tools to pull the stone thru and also cut the sphincter at the opening where the duct empties into the gut, this helps by widening the path the stone has to pass thru enabling you to pass any future stones. They can also insert stents into the ducts to widen them if they have narrowed for some reason. This is usually performed by a gastroenterologist, not a surgeon but you are sedated and won't remember a thing.
I don't know about America but it is commonly done in Australia especially if the patient is not fit for surgery, and it is commonly done to immediately relieve symptoms and infections and the gall bladder can be removed later when the patient is well in a more elective setting. What you are offered can also depend on whether you are a public or private patient, the waiting list for public surgery can be long so an ERCP can be done sooner so you aren't in agony on a waiting list. Some people also choose to have an ERCP, do not have further symptoms and choose not to have surgery but this should be discussed with your dr.

Don't stress too much. Like any surgery there are risks but it is a very common problem and drs have lots and lots of experience at treating gallstones.

[daggy]

Thank you Smiley
I knew there was another option I just couldn`t think of it at the time . I think all my Dr was going to was refer me on to the public system and get in line for the full surgery with the generic surgeons instead of exploring my options. It is good to know the terms that will use if I decide it gets to painful. It doesn`t help having my regular GP who sits and explains things in detail being on long service as he puts it.
And I will be using private as I always do when it comes to the "big" medical procedures.
It was just nice to see what the options are instead of just getting the referral

[sunflower55]

Yes, thank you too.
Can anyone tell me if gall bladder pain can be above the navel too?
I still have that side pain, though it is not as intense anymore, and I'm awaiting the hidascan that my doc has ordered for me.
But, just under the diaphram and above the navel hurts now too. This is just getting absurd!

Thanks for you help, and information!

Peace!

[smiley1984]

I don't know about the US system but work in and know the Australian system. If you are planning on going private, I wouldn't even bother with the public system, you will be triaged down the list and could wait ages just for an appointment and then longer on the surgery wait list.

The best way is to get your GP to write you a referral to a general surgeon in your area - GPs can be wonderful but it's always good to ask the expert about it, have all your questions answered. Most general surgeons don't have long wait lists to have an appointment, whereas I find that even private gastroenterologists can have long wait lists. And you don't have to commit to having surgery just because you see a surgeon. The appointment will cost you the gap that medicare won't cover - usually about $100 but can be very variable. And if you decide to have a procedure done you will also be able to choose a convenient time around work and kids etc.

Hope this helps, the medical system can be hard to navigate and even though I work in it, it can get confusing and the administrative details change all the time. GPs have the worst time having to constantly be up to date with the government changing medicare rules all the time.

[sunflower55]

I'm in the US, and not on medicaid. I have insurance. We don't just go to a surgeon here.

That's why I'm interested in knowing if this pain, between my diaphram and belly button is part of the same gall bladder pain or not. If it's something else, I've got to do something about this. I cannot just sit and observe if this is a *new* problem.

Peace!

[ECHOES]

I agree with you. You need to know what this is and I think the best thing to do would be to see your doctor or call and tell your doctor about this pain.

I had a post-op hernia at one of the incision sites, or near it--I went back to the same surgeon who did my gall bladder. He thought it was not in the incision but it was (neener-neener-neeeee-ner, Doc!). It was not real painful though, but it was about in that area.

I hope you will put your mind at ease by seeing your doctor.

[sunflower55]

Well, they've scheduled my test, the hida scan. Doc said he would use this test for the new pain too, so, that's good. In the meantime, I can go to the hospital or an urgent care center if it gets to bad.

Thank you so much for your support and care.
I'll keep you apprised.

Peace!

[Rhapsody]

Originally Posted by daggy

I think I will be going back to see the Doctors because being me I did not take it that seriously

Please do take it seriously... as I just got home from the hospital where my husband is recovering after having gone through surgery twice, once Thursday morning and once Friday night, due to a badly infected gallbladder and bile duct that was full of gallstones.

My husband was dx with having two gallstones just seven months ago and now look at him... things can go wrong so fast.

[daggy]

I am just waiting till my usual DR comes back to have a second look and because of this thread I have found so much more information about things that I don't feel that scared anymore. So thanks all around.
I know I have a big stone and just need a little more time (not too long ) to get it sorted.
They actually found it by mistake so I have no idea how long it has been sitting there. Plus I have changed my diet so things wont come down on me as hard ( the lecture from my DR )

I really did have a lot to do in the next few months ---- oh well it happens

[daggy]

Ok Just wondering what a painful gallblader really feels like?

I just dont want to cry wolf all the time so am wondering how long and what sort of real pain pain you have to go through before heading off to the hospital/ dr
this is the first time that it really is hurting I had a big dinner last night so am thinking it is that that is going down -

the whole of my right side is shooting pain starting from the lower back down the leg and making it hard to type

but just want to spend time at the er ...

but also read rapsidies post