[Skully]

Has anyone ever had their gallbladder removed? It is looking like I may have to have mine taken out. I have had problems with it over the last few years and my doctor says it is time to have it out. What can I expect from the surgery? They say it gets infected a lot....any words of advice?

[sabby]

Hey Skully

I had mine out a number of years ago. The surgery is fairly easy, probably will be done by laparoscopy (sp) where they make 3 small incisions in your abdomen for the 3 tools used. Providing there is nothing more than a gall bladder & stones (not oversized), it should be easily removed. You may have it done in day surgery and let home that afternoon or you may spend one night in the hospital. I spent one night but I know of others now who go home same day. You will be under general anesthesia.

Recupe time should be fairly easy for you. Uncomfortable feeling for a couple of days, no lifting, just put your feet up and relax. I never had any infections and don't remember my doc telling me to watch for any, so I don't know about that.

After surgery and when you get back on a regular diet you may find certain foods that you were able to eat, you cannot eat any longer. Fried/fatty foods and spicy foods may bother you. Potato chips, chocolate, you know, all the good stuff can be hard to digest after the gall bladder is gone.

Since you will not have a holding tank for your bile anymore (thats what the gall bladder is), the bile from your liver will go directly into your intestines, so it could change your bowel movements as well (I know TMI LOL). Loosey goosey comes to mind On the other hand, you may not have any of these kinds of issues, as everyone is different.

Good luck with the surgery. I do know it sure feels great not to have that pain from the gall bladder once it's gone. That nearly did me in it was so bad at times. Let me know how you make out okay?


sabby

[bebop]

if they don't have to do incision today you are in and out in a flash. I didn't really have much pain with mine and that was back in 97! my stepmom went in at 6am and out by 10. 6am to the hospital that is. surgery she went in around 8:30 done by 9:15

I just had mine out in December. It was a cinch. Recovery was easy. The only thing to contend with now is the touchy digestive system I'm left with. Working on that one.

[ECHOES]

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...ladder+surgery

Skully,

Above is a recent thread about gallbladder surgery. It really is a breeze
I didn't have any problems at all after; I felt much better!

[hannie2223]

I had mine out at 17. My biggest worry was being naked with the doctor but I was asleep before that happened. I threw up a lot after recovery all though I think i was allergic to the anesthesia. It went away in by that evening. After a week there was only a little pain mostly at the incision sights.

As for stomach issues there are certain foods that just don't like me anymore like avocados...but I still like them. Moderation is always good.

Good luck!

[Skully]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I feel more at ease now and am not so worried. Thanks for putting me at ease

[ECHOES]

[confused1970]

Originally Posted by Skully

Has anyone ever had their gallbladder removed? It is looking like I may have to have mine taken out. I have had problems with it over the last few years and my doctor says it is time to have it out. What can I expect from the surgery? They say it gets infected a lot....any words of advice?

I am sorry... I don't wish that pain on anyone....I feel so much better now and my diet hasn't changed. just hopefully it isn't inflammed when you have the surgery. you want the laproscopic option.
good luck!

[Gus1234U]

gads, i hope this is the end of your string of hard times!! you know i am wishing for the best for you~!! Gus

[buttrfli42481]

I don't want to scare you, but things like this do happen.

I had mine out July 2, 2001. I was scheduled to have it removed July 16th. It was not a breeze like they thought it would be. I was very sick after they took it out. I ended up in ICU because they couldn't get my fever to break. They found out that it was very infected and had I of waited til the 16th, I would have been dead. The worst part for me was that I could no longer breastfeed my daughter who was 2 months old.

I cannot tolerate regular milk anymore, and have to watch how much other dairy I eat. Also have to watch how much salad I eat.

[Skully]

Originally Posted by buttrfli42481

I don't want to scare you, but things like this do happen.

I had mine out July 2, 2001. I was scheduled to have it removed July 16th. It was not a breeze like they thought it would be. I was very sick after they took it out. I ended up in ICU because they couldn't get my fever to break. They found out that it was very infected and had I of waited til the 16th, I would have been dead. The worst part for me was that I could no longer breastfeed my daughter who was 2 months old.

I cannot tolerate regular milk anymore, and have to watch how much other dairy I eat. Also have to watch how much salad I eat.

I have read that there is a high risk of infection with gallbladder removals. I am a little worried about that.

I had a Hida Scan today and when they gave me the shot to get the gallbladder to contract, it didn't do it. So they gave me another shot and I waited another 45mins and they scanned it again and it was the same. The tech didn't say what that meant he just said the doc will get the results Monday. So, that may be what is wrong? Hard to say, when I get the results I will let you all know what is going on.

[Skully]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

... a high risk? or a risk?

There is also risk of infection and death if a sick gall bladder is not removed (remember Andy Warhol?)

There is risk with any surgery, and risk of infection with any surgery. Since this is minimally invasive and outpatient, the risk is very low. It's a very routine procedure.

I am very well aware of the risks of surgery since I have had 9 of them. Research it, you will understand what I was referring to.

[Fresia]

Hi Skully,

My gallbladder did not contract either. It turned out mine wasn't having problems b/c of stones but b/c it had hardened, a condition called "porcelein gallbladder." There is lower risk of infection with this type of gallbladder surgery but all surgery there are risks of course.

Mine went well, laparoscopy, out the same day. I was sore for quite some time though because of having had previous abd/pelvic laps so this was to be expected, slower to heal. You are in better shape than I am so hopefully this will mean better recovery time.

Life after has been fine (at least in this respect ) I do get the dumping symptom that they will discuss with you, that happens after some removals but it is not a problem at all.

It is nice that it is a laparascope now and outpatient as opposed to the way it used to be. It sounds like you are in good hands with all the pre-op they are looking at before going in, is a very good sign. Are you still discussing it or have you scheduled something yet?

Wishing you the best!

[(JD)]

Fortunately, we don't need gallbladders for good digestion... however, it's what caused the problem with the gallbladder that concerns me. Generally, it's gall stones which are a direct result of a poor diet. http://www.livestrong.com/article/13...adder-removal/

I hope you are able to prevent further illness.

[Skully]

Originally Posted by (JD)

Fortunately, we don't need gallbladders for good digestion... however, it's what caused the problem with the gallbladder that concerns me. Generally, it's gall stones which are a direct result of a poor diet. http://www.livestrong.com/article/13...adder-removal/

I hope you are able to prevent further illness.

It is not gallstones, ultrasound was clear...I have a very good diet I follow. Sometimes they just go out I guess. I have found many articles on every aspect of the gallbladder, they all say somethign different. oh well, guess i will leave it in the hands of my doctor.

[(JD)]

Oh Skully, that's good to hear...

[onlymedid]

Just had mine out in December, too and it was super easy! I was out the same day. I was sore for a couple of days, but nothing major.