Gallbladder Surgery | Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Times

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[...] Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Times [...]

My daughter had her gall bladder removed last year after she had her baby. She was sick the whole time she was pregnant. After the baby, she still was sick. In and out of the hospital over and over. They did tests…mri upper and lower put a camera inside her and a colonoscopy. She gets fenegrin and it seems to work. After a few days she gets right back to throwing up to where she gets dehydrated and needs fluids. No one seems to know what is wrong with her.. Would you?

My mom gets her gall bladder removed today, actually. Previously, about six months ago, she had the symptoms of throwing up and dehydration and general malnutrition symptoms. They gave her Phenergan as well as a drug to ease intestinal cramping, but she still couldn’t keep any food down. It turned out she had an intestinal blockage due to scar tissue building up in her abdomen. The doctors said it was from having several cesarian sections. In the end, they removed part of her large intestine, and for a few months she had to have a colostomy bag. It’s a long procedure, and the recovery time is incredibly long. My mom is still having complications from everything. I hope this helps, and doesn’t frighten you too much.

[...] Scarlett Moore’s website to read more about gallbladder symptoms and obtain information on gall bladder surgery recovery time practices. Posted under Health Comments [...]

I’m a 15 year old female, normal weight, and a former owner of a gallbladder. The reason I developed gallstones is because of my severe under eating. I was rushed to the hospital with severe pain and admitted into the hospital right away. The day after they went in with a tube to get the gallstone that was blocking my bile duct out. The day after that(today) they removed my gallbladder. I can move around by myself, i still feel sore and am on painmeds every two hours, but i could not be more glad i did the surgery. I missed out on so many things because of my gallbladder attacks. Anyone who is scared to do this, please find a good surgeon like I did and get it taken care of. The after math isn’t extremely pleasent for the first couple of hours, but you’ll most likely want to sleep anyways. Don’t listen to the horrible stories people tell you, those people were most likely sick with other things also to cause that. If you’re over all healthy and your only problem is gallstones, get it taken care of, good luck to everyone!!!

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My daughter is having the exact same problem. She was sick the entire time she was pregnant. Two weeks after having her baby, she had to have gallblader surgery. It’s been three weeks since the surgery. She is so sick from nausea and vomiting. She had lost so much weight. She is nothing but skin and bones. She can’t work or do much of anything. She’s starting to get depressed. It’s really taking a toll on her nerves. It’s breaking my heart.

My wife is due to have her gallbladder removed later this month. I am currently overseas and am coming home to take care of her while she is recovering. With her recovery what will be some of her restrictions and for how long. We have a toddler and 3 older children. I have 2 weeks will this be long enough for her to recover.

I had my GB removed 5 days ago. laparoscopy way.
What led up to it was 4 Serious bouts of UNBEARABLE PAIN,within 6 weeks. 2 trips the the ER, 2 on the floor at home. MAJOR PAIN. Lasted 4-9 hours each. I think I almost passed out the last time. But would NOT go back to THIS E.R. A joke. Whole other story.

I am a 54 yr. old female, in general good health, 15 lbs overweight. nothing major. cholesterol good. diet better than average and no fast foods. ever.

I read so many horror stories that I cancelled the procedure and rescheduled again overnight. I am Fortunate to have an Excellent Physician and Medical Group, for many years now. She explained things to me in depth which is what I need. And allayed my fears.

Since I had 4 bouts in 6 weeks, it was time. So I was scared S***less of surgery, minor tho they say it is, well it’s MY digestive system at risk here not a minor issue for me.

I had to do it. It’s done.
I had a morphine drip overnight which was NICE. dreamy.
No Pain because of it.

So next morning nurse comes in “how’d you like some coffee?”
I didn’t think I would be able to drink coffee without a gallbladder. wasn’t sure anyway.

so I had coffee, cream of what, a scrambled egg, no problem
Had a smoothie and grilled cheese for lunch. No problem.
I couldn’t believe it.

So here I am at day 5 after surgery. Don’t need the pain meds, but they feel good anyway. Percocet / Roxicet.
oh the area that is the sorest is the incision area in the belly button. I am bruised and that is normal. Just sore. It’s your core and so you have to be nice to it after something like this.

Now the only thing is I was constipated until today. From all the meds. and anathesia. dries you out dehydrates you. you must drink alot of fluid, which is a drag cuz then all you do is pee when you want to be resting.

So make sure you even if you take metamucil or psyllium husks, same thing different name. make sure you drink ALOT of fluid, and especially if you take this stuff.
You can always do enema if this doesn’t work. but don’t wait more than 4 days. Being constipated can lead to serious issues.

The biggest problem I had was with the very insensitive NURSES AND AIDES. They thought I was too out of it on morphine to remember or know what was going on. and or they just don’t care about their jobs or people or both. So much incompetance and roughness.
They are getting written up. That’s another story.

Now I am serious when I say this WHENEVER YOU GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY, DO NOT GO ALONE. HAVE SOMEONE WATCH YOUR BACK.
Not to be paranoid, but my husband is sick so I got to observe hospital personnel in action several times here now. Since you are most like drugged up, they think they can get away with treating you like a non person. and or that you won’t remember anything. We are people no THINGS and need to be treated with respect and compassion. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE VULNERABLE.

get a book i think it’s called READ THIS BOOK BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE HOSPITAL or something like that. do google searches, get a book on this.
or at the library.

I have felt only little twinges of feelings a couple times where my gb used to be like when i laugh. oh btw they actually leave in titanium little clamps where they clip the ends of the gb and take it out. crimps it off so to speak. i suppose that is where it leaks if it’s going to. i don’t think titanium sets off the airport security system.

In my case I have Great Insurance and doctors. I trust my doctor and that is why I chose to do this procedure.

I might lose my job and so therefore my insurance. If I knew I was going to have insurance for years, I would have maybe tried the wholistic way of cleansing, but then no guarantee that they wouldn’t keep coming back. Also if the stones are big they can get stuck in the duct even if passing the natural way, so it’s not the safest thing to do. Getting stuck in the duct is 10+ PAIN, and dangerous, you can die. and or wish you were dead.
And how would you know they were gone? try and get another ultrasound from the doctor about that ain’t gonna happen. Unless you are friends with one.

I ramble some, bottom line.
Make sure you have a Great Surgeon. Ask around, do the research.
and Take someone with you to the hospital. to watch out for you.
Be good to yourself, take it easy, try not to worry.
If something did go wrong it can be fixed. It rarely goes wrong.

Now true it’s only 5 days since my surgery and I was constipated.
I now need to see if I have loose stools, or diahreeah, which also can be controlled with diet. Something about too much bile going directly from liver to stomach. can be irritating. so they say online.

I hope it doesn’t happen. time will tell.

I feel really good after 5 days, just tired and weak still. Can’t swim for 2 weeks. I love to swim. Have to read looks like.
Get a good book and surround yourself with nice people if you can afterwards, and preferably someone who cares and is a good caregiver.

Thank you for your down to earth real story of what it is like. I’m 66 and getting ready for the operation. I sire hope I can have a successful laproscopic surgery. Last year I had to have a bikini cut hysterectomy. Scar still bothers me. Sure hope I don’t have to go through something similar!

Sometimes reading all of the information available on-line can lead to distress. I am scheduled in two weeks to have my gallbladder removed. After having one major attack and numerous symptoms for the last year my doctor sent me for a sonogram. Gallbladder looks like a sock filled with rocks Ugh! I am 53, back in school studying nursing in a very demanding, accelerated program. I have ten days for Spring break and will be back in school recovered or not! Also, my son is getting married April 9 and I plan to be up dancing. It’s very helpful to hear positive stories about people recovering quickly and feeling great. I will post my experience and recovery after my surgery! Good luck to all of those out there who are reading this and also have gallbladder removal surgery scheduled.

MeLinda,

Thank you so much for your indepth analysis of the post operation. I am also scheduled to have the surgery in approx 2 weeks. I tried to cure myself naturally, but turned out that the more I cleansed the more stones came back with a vengeance. So after trying the natural remedy for 3 months, I gave up and now I am having my GB removed. I worry about the aftermath of not having a GB, will I gain weight? Will I struggle with constipation or Diarreah? I’ve read a lot about the pros and cons so surgery was my last resort. I wish we could also hear from people who had it removed longer than us, maybe 2 or more years, to see their results long run. Good luck and thank you.

Thank you all so much for sharing, i’ll share my results as well.

I am home from the hospital today. I went to the ER after suffereing through the worse pain I have ever been through for an entire night and day. The ER admitted me, gave me morphine right away, CScan and told me it needed to go. The doctor said it was “on fire”. They gave me antibiotics for 2 days in the hospitial then removed it. I immediately got pneumonia and they put me on some very strong antibiotics then sent me home. A day and half later they called me and told me to come back to the hospital and told me my blood culture came back positive for mersa (staff) I stayed in the hospital for 8 days after that while they ran the only kind of antibiotic that would kill the staff for 5 hours a day through IV. I recovered from surgery in the meantime. I got my appetite back, though it is not much of an appetite. I suppose I should feel happy because I am losing weight. They used pain medication liberally throughout the 2 week stay and kept me comfortable and pain free. The staff and doctors were great. The thing is, I am now feeling a great deal of depression, which is unlike me, and I’m thinking it is a reaction to all the drugs I’ve been on.

The long term effects of the surgery I have yet to ascertain, but the pain I went into the hospital with is gone and it was the kind of pain that made me want to die. So this is a better path I think. If I could just get rid of the blues.

I am a 32 yr old male, I was diagnosed with bililary dyskenisia (dysfunctional gall bladder). They used a HIDA scan to determine that my gall bladder wasn’t working at an efficient level. I had the gall bladder removed on Wed. and today is Friday. I have had pain from the surgery for the last couple of days. My activity level definitly plays a part in the fact that I am experiencing pain. I have not been able to stay in bed so that is my fault. Otherwise, I am back to eating my regular diet. I have only been taking Ibuprophen since yesterday to get over the constipation. I had my first BM this morning. At this point I couldn’t be happier. Without my gall bladder, the only change I expect is that I won’t have any pain anymore (since my gall bladder wasn’t working in the first place).
I had read all of the forums prior to having this surgery, and everything I read was negative. This most likely is because the people that have problems are more likely to post it on here looking for a solution. This is a routine surgery, 500,000 per year. There were 2 other people getting the same surgery done when I was there. My particular surgeon does over 100 per year. More often than not, this will end up with you being happier than you went in. If your doctor recommends this surgery…I would do it. I would do it again if I had to.

I had laparoscopy surgery on Wed morning a 11:20, had my GB removed. I was having pains on the left side, just under the left rib cage, if felt like a ripping that extended from the left side rip cage down to the left side to th back. I was first told, that it may not be the GB at all. It was first thought to be banding near the middle of stomach, after it was scoped, the doctor removed GB. This is the 5 day after the hospital. Still having nausea, vomiting (dry) and Diarreah.
But, the good things, most of the pain that was on the left side appears to be gone, don’t having the ripping feeling when I turn to one side to the other.

I woke up Early Sunday May 1st with severe back pain. It was a familiar pain, I have had on 4 or 5 such occasions.It felt like I was cut in half. I struggled all night to find a way to releive the pain. Recliner, floor, flat on my back legs in a chair, sofa and several different chairs until the sun finally rose. Since I had a Chiropractor app. Monday morning I just sucked it up and had another sleepless night Sunday. After my visit, the pain was the same we thought it best to get Xrays. My Chiro called me late monday night and said I had several things going on and should meet with my Doctor for possible referal. Monday, another sleepless night. Tuesday several phone calls go back and forth, pain has increased. I am told to take Ibuprofen and exercise (no joke). Not being able to lie down, I sleep sitting up in a living room chair. I awake at Midnight with what feels like a hot knife stuck inside my ribcage. My “Gift from God Wife” Drives me to E.R. we arrive at 1pm. I am told to fill out papers and have a seat over there. I am in to much pain to sit, They take me back right away. They did blood work and a CT scan and found it to be Gall bladder Gall stones. Also my white blood count was off the chart I recall a number of 22,000 but am not certain because of Morphine. I am having fevers, given antibiotitics and morphine for 40hrs until my lap surgery thursday afternoon. Surgery goes well, the surgeon says he has never seen an infection that bad before. In recovery I’m having a hard time taking a full breath, never fully awake a am taken back to my room. Because of fevers I start to shake like I’m “chilled to the bone”. I’m taken back to recovery, Leaving my “Better Half” to sit and wait.I return after about an hour. My nurse, tech and Wife help me get through the night, My Last Morphine was 4:30am Friday morning. They start to give me Tylenol for my fevers.I was released Sunday at 4PM. I have antibiotics, 10 day perscription for now and tylenol. I am now detoxing from everything I was given. I was told to eat several probiotic yogurts, to help my stomach. I figure my best course of recovery is going to be (1)rest when I must (2)Move when I’m able and (3) Don’t stay in any one position. In hindsight I found out G.B. pain moves around to different parts of the body. I wonder how much of my back pain was actually G.B. and other pains, and for how long this has been going on. I am anxious to see how I feel when healing is complete. I would not wish this kind of pain on anyone, and a simple operation could have avoided it, had I only known. My advise: If you know you have G.B. issues, have it taken care of NOW!!! Drink lots of fluids pre-op and increase your fiber eating a soft diet days before. The second most painfull thing in all of this was my first B.M. post-op. All wired up in pain trying to even lower to the comode hurt. Pushing, holding on with white knuckles, doing my best “La Maz” breathing for 20 minutes. I was able to pass something that resembled “The Great State of Texas”, just shy a few acres. There was once a commercial for changing oil filters, the man would say “You can pay me now, or pay me later. Have the surgery if you are debating it, and I hope every comes out alright. ADIOS

I am 41 never had kids and non smoker and non drinker.
I have gal bladder 2cm stone and surgery on monday to remove it.
I have the worry of the specialists not communucating very well.
Having bad experience at one hopsital I am going to another.
I hope they don’t be rough with my body as I have seen how rough they can be in them programs on tv.I am in over night. being unemployed is really hard struggle and now after this will be even less chance or me getting a job is there any one with any tips is there any work in the illawarra for me? I am seeking full time. In June.

thanks loads…. signed alone and confused.

I had my gall bladder removed 6 weeks ago. I had a 2 cm stone and many smaller ones. The surgeron said my gallbladder was so big that he could not fit it in the bag that was usually used to send it for a biopsy. I am still sore. Perhaps my insides were handled more roughly due to the enlarged gallbladder. I took senecot the first night so that I would not be constipated due to the percocet. I never had a constipation problem.

I recovered fairly quickly but have been nauseated and very tired. I try to do a little housework but get tired after an hour. I am 76 years old, not overweight and was always very active before I had the operation. Now I feel like an old woman. I am really disappointed that it is taking so long to get my strength back. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Gall bladder pain is on the right. Did you type left by mistake?

Had my gall bladder removed Wednesday. Had a great experience with the hospital staff and surgeon was great. Everything went as planned, doc. even told my husband things went great, finished in 20 minutes. Had considerable pain for first two days, took my pain meds..which gave me a killer headache. Still haven’t had a bm, but I suffered from constipation before the surgery, so I figured that might still be a problem. I am 44, birthed 5 kids, smoke and never have ate the best. Since the pains started over a year ago I began to take better care of myself, but the pains continued and got increasingly worse. Doctors were very concerned with my acid reflux, my esophagus is damaged from it. Didn’t have stones, just low functioning and inflammed gall bladder, they discovered this threw a HIDA scan. I am feeling much better today, but the gas is uncomfortable, but barely taking any pain meds now. Mainly to get some sleep, I hate pills. But the acid reflux is already doing better. I recommend you have this done if your doctor really thinks it is necessary, its not to bad. Just be sure to have someone to take care of you for about 3 days, you need to lay around. I couldn’t really do anything the first day, not even go to the bathroom alone, too dizzy. But I am very pleased with the pain finally being gone. The pains on my right side and back had gotten pretty unbearable. So, if you go good luck and take care.

I am 50 years old. I had my gallbladder removed 3 days ago. I have never experienced such excrutiating, unbearable pain in my life. I’ve been very nausiated and sick to my stomach. Today, I woke up and couldn’t move without crying. My husband phoned my doctor who doubled the pain medication and told me to use Motrin between. I also have gas pockets in my right shoulder blade and in my collar bone. I am drinking a lot of water but not urinating very much at all. I also have been up walking to try to get the gas to move, and swinging my arms in circles to relieve the trapped gas there. I have finally been able to hold down some sprite, about 6 tsp of soup, and half of a sandwich today. The only way I’m able to get any relief is while I’m sleeping, in which I hold a pillow to my abdomin and use a pillow behind my shoulders. I also am not laying flat in bed, I’ve been sleeping in my recliner. I hope this ends soon. I was told gallbladder surgery was a piece of cake. What I’ve experienced couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’m so glad to hear that others didn’t have such a hard time with this surgery. However, reading the posts above gives me some comfort in knowing I’m not the only one who has had a bad experience with this.

Thanks Mark. Your problem sounds exactly like mine. My gall bladder is only working at 12 percent which is not much. I am in constant pain now but I have had this problem for years. I am scheluled for surgery in 2 weeks but am considering calling my doctor to do it sooner. Hope this is the right decision as everyone tells me it will not get any better without the surgery.

Thanks for the information!Im 40 and found out 2yrs ago and I was afraid because of the horrible story i have read on the internet!

Hi everyone!
I’m scheduled for gallbladder surgery 6/9
I have had a slow functioning gallbladder for years and have tried everything to stop the pain, belching, heartburn etc.
so I’m giving in and going under the knife! and I’m scared. I have never had surgery, Im 50!! gettin old i quess!
I hope it solves the problem

after having UNBELIEVABLE pain,far worse than labor,i spoke to my dr. She ordered an ultrasound and i was instructed to seek a surgeon immediately. My GB was so full of stones it didn’t show up(sound waves won’t go through solids). after surgery my family was told there were several that were 2 1/2 in. long and lots of small stones.the scary part of doing nothing is a GB rupture or a stone getting lodged in the bile duct.

Have had no nausea BUT was given a patch that has worked beautifully – would recommend asking for it. I resumed my regular diet w/no repercussions, per my dr instructions.
i agree lowering and getting up from a seated position feels like i’ve done a thousand abdominal crunches. that pain is getting better by the day. surgery was the 7th of june and was able to lower myself to sleep on a wedge pillow last night.slept in my recliner the first night home. laying flat stretched the incision far to much, but soon enough that will come.

deep breathing is getting easier-USE THE SPEROMETER RELIGIOUSLY, it really helps. laughing is becoming less painful as well. God Bless and i pray everyone facing this surgery be granted swift rec’y and minimal pain.

Mine is right side also.

I just had a baby about 6 weeks ago. After i was discharged from the hopital i started throwing up everything that went in. I went to the er, thinking i had some kind of infection. They found nothing and told me if it didn’t go away within a few days to get my gallbladder checked. A few days later i went back becase i still wasn’t able to eat anything and was very dehydrated. They did an ultrasound and found sludge in my gallbladder. They said i would probably have to get it removed. I then made an aapointment with my provider since im military and she recommended that i see a surgeon. I went and saw her and she said i would need to get it removed to prevent future problems. It was the best thing to do! I got it removed on 4th of august. The first day wasnt that bad because i was on morphine and percocet. I ad trouble laying down to sleep so i propped myslef on pillows on my reclining couch and slept there. The second day i was a little sore, more so at my belly button insicion. It’s definitly not as bad as i thought it was going to be. The pain is no where near where i thought it would be. The thing that sucks the most is the doc told me i couldn’t lift my baby until my stitches heal. And i’m missing that like crazy. I still hold him when i’m sitting but not often because he tends to kick me in my stitches and that hurts a little. I just try and take it easy because i don’t want to develop a hernia and get another surgery. Hope this helps and feel free to ask questions

I’m 37 yrs old & had my gallbladder out yesterday. Today I feel like a million bucks! They found very large stones as big as ping pong balls and hundreds of smaller ones. I had read all the horror stories and was nervous, but it’s really not bad at all. After coming home from the hospital, had some sips of water that made me feel a bit queezy but today I’m fine and can eat and drink, although I am sticking to a non-fat diet. I was prescribed pain pills but haven’t gotten them filled, the worse pain I had was a headache yesterday, that I took 2 tylenol for. Removed the dressings today with some minor bruising with steri strips. Of course I’m sore, but you have to constantly move…if you just sit around you get very stiff inside. Get up & walk as much as you can! Good Luck!

Thank you Glen for your comments – I am scheduled for this next week due to vicious pains on the left side/under breast; especially when I try to turn left with my torso – can you yell OWWWW. I have had back pain for years however due to collision; but, the past 2 years with tender abdomen, pain in left side and all the other stuff, the pain is much more intense on some days. I too have problems getting up @ times – infuriating!
You have given me the encouraging words I need!
Thank you so much and wishing you good health.

11 days post op update:

Couldn’t be better-completely back to normal. All swelling is gone, soreness is all gone, steri strips off incision sites. Belly button site, is completely healed now, along with one incision on my right side. One on bottom right is still bruised, and top stomach incision was most sensitive although healing nicely, but seems to be taking the longest. Experienced no constipation or diarrhea and still have not had the need to take anything for pain. Resumed treadmill workouts, but still not lifting anything heavy. Actually during first week post op, was driving & mowed grass with riding lawnmower with no issues. However, I am staying away from carbonation…drank a diet coke & had terrible bloating! Stay positive & remember to get up & move around! Wishing everyone a speedy recovery!

Had Gb Surgery.
Dr ANDY.
SMART CHOICE.
I DID Not HAVE the usually symptoms. ??
That’s the crazy THING.
UNDER THE RIB CAGE AND AT THE BACK.
SOUNDS LIKE THE RIGHT SYMPTOMS.
SO. YOU KNOW UOUR OWN BODY, RIGHT
ANYWAY DO , SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO
GET THE RIGHT DOCTOR.
I HAD MY GB OUT 9/02/11
The BEST THING ,
Thank GOD THANK DR ANDY.
I NOT HAVE’ n any bad pain.
Or SIDE. EFFECTS.
NO BELCH’ N , ETC. OR HEADACHE’S.
I CAN SLEEP.
WOW. D WILLIAMS

Oh my gosh!!! I just had my gallbladder taken out yesterday!! Also, had a henna repair done in my umbilical or had a umbilical hernia repair is whAt I’m trying to say… I can tell you as far as having three children all vaginal births the pain I’m having is like having contractions…. I can handle pain pretty well but, for those people who told me I would feel much better should have explained themselves…. This hurts!!!! I’m writing this to any of you who are having stomach trouble and if the dr tell you, you only have sludge an they see a slight stone, and you keep having pains go through with this!!! I will tell you everyone is different…. My gallbladder pain was always on my right side in the middle of my sternum and down right side of rib cage, severe pain!!! I also had an ulcer and reflux but can tell you I feel at this moment NO PAIN where I described earlier:) the only pain I have is my bellybutton, and severe pain to the left of it…. I have not had a bowel movement since 12:30 yesterday afternoon and I’m taking senecot still nothing:( I’m hoping that is why I’m having pain. They say to get up walk around in which I have but omg it hurts and can say I haven’t had a whole lot of pain in back and shoulders like yesterday right after surgery. I have the sorest throat and my neck feels like it has been choked. SORRY FOR THE LONG COMMENT. I’m home bymyself and ready to go insane cuz I hurt and at the sametime want my kiddo’s!!! Even though they would get on my nerves soon.. Lol!! Good luck to anyone who is going through or getting ready to go through what all of us have posted:)

Don’t worry ! I am 26 year old girl and I’m still feeling very tired and nauseous 3 weeks post surgery. I think it takes awhile for your body to adjust to losing a major organ! I sincerely hope that you feel better very soon!

I am having my gallbladder removed tomorrow. I was also rushed to the hospital with severe pain and it took tnem 3 days to find my gallstones so it has been a rough few days. I have never had surgery before or been put to sleep so I am a little scared and nervous. But your comment is the first thing I have read that put me a little at ease so thanks.

sounds like a thyroid problem-Graves (last name of the man who discovered it) Disease

On 9/23 I woke up in the A.M. for work extremely nauseated and it was the worst ever. I almost called off work that instant, but I got myself to work anyhow. Through out the morning it just got worse.. usually it gets better and then the pain set in. I felt like I was being stabbed in the right side just under my rib cage. The pain moved up my back toward my right shoulder. Then I called my primary doctor to make an apt. I knew I had gall bladder problems and I was suppose to go and have an ultra sound 6 months prior, but I have no insurance and I would have had to pay out of pocket. I was just dealing with the nausea and mild pain as best as I could waiting to get my insurance in Jan 2012 and deal with it then. When I saw the doc he said to wait 4 hours and if the pain doesn’t subside to go straight to the hospital. Well at 7pm I ended up in the ER. The pain, nausea, fever, and chills was horrible. I recall feeling like this 2 times before and I thought it was just the flu because it was during flu season. Now I am thinking it was an attack of the gall bladder. After, they got my pain and nausea somewhat under control they took me for a ultra sound and found no gall stones. I was for sure it was the gall bladder.. I didn’t think of the function of the gallbladder. I was admitted so I could have a Hepatobiliary scan with gallbladder ejection fraction done in the A.M. They found that my gallbladder was functioning at 3 percent after 60 minutes. On 9/25 I was taken in for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When I came to I was in excruciating pain and I almost begged for my gallbladder back. Due to the pancreatitis I was in major pain still. I was kept in the hospital to control pain and nausea for 2 more days and I was finally released on 9/28. I gained 11 pounds in the hospital due to the constipation and saline drip. When I was sent home I was still in lots of pain had not had a BM. I didn’t have one til 9/30 and then again on 10/1 but I became constipated again after expecting loose bowls. I have been taking laxatives since I was released from the hospital. This is my only concern. I finally had a BM last night (10/4). I still hurting today. My date back to work was suppose to be 10/5 but due to the type of work I do it was pushed back to 10/10. I see the surgeon for a follow up this evening. I will be asking about the pain I am still having and my constipation. This is my story and I hope it helps. I am grateful for my gallbladder being removed. I have been able to eat pretty much anything without being nauseous. It is the constipation that concerns me. I will keep you updated so whoever is going through this or will go through this has a better idea what may happen to them.

Was diagnosed with both umbilical and hiatal hernias back in 2008.Was instructed that with weight-loss(proper diet),the pressure on the hiatal may decrease and it might not need repair.For this surgery is far more complicated. The doctor also informed me that the umbilical would eventually worsen and that I would end up needing repair surgery.In July of 2011,I had a bout with constipation(9 days)and was getting very afraid as to what was going on inside my body.I was also having knife-cutting pains in my abdomen beneath my right lower rib-cage,sometimes shooting all the way to my side.I sometimes would get very weak and even felt as though I was going to pass-out several times.I eventually ended up at the local E.R. and after extensive testing learned that I had a Vasa Vagal attack.An ultrasound revealed that I was completely compacted.The next day I had to drink the “GO-Litely” gallon sollution to help empty my bowels.A week later I was scheduled to get a colonoscopy and endoscopy done to check my digestive tract out.Oh yeah,AFTER having to drink that horrible sollution AGAIN!!! My bowels checked out O.K. and the gastrointologist diagnosed me with “Irritable Bowel Syndrome”.He put me on meds called Probiotic,which I will take indefinately to promote healthy digestion.Then they sent me to talk to a surgeon about the hernias.The surgeon noticed that No HIDA-SCAN had been done,so he set me up for the scan.He said that the area where the Hiatal is located is exactly where your Gallbladder is,and that we want to be sure we operate on the right thing.Keep in mind that I had lost 30-35 lbs in the last couple months from loss of appetite and from being afraid to eat as a result of chronic constipation.Sure enogh,the GB Scan revealed that my GB function was <6%.The surgeon decided to repair the umbilical hernia and remove the GB,and said hopefully my stomach issues would improve.He said we would wait until after my full recovery for me to see if I even had any problems with the Hiatal.After losing the weight,the pressure from the upper hernia seemed to deminish. It has been 9 days since my surgery and I am doing pretty good now.I have been eating a very High Fiber diet for 2 mnths.I new the pain meds would plug me up so I started taking stool-softeners 5 days before the surgery to get a "heads-up" on the constipation,but my plan failed I quit taking the Percocet after the 3'rd day after the surgery and decided to just deal with the pain rather than add more medical drama to my situation.I ate prunes,drank laxative(s),you name it.And on day 5 all hell broke loose.It is now day 9 and I'm feeling OK I guess.But I still have a slight pain in my right side from time to time.I also am still weak.After being on my feet(in the back yard)for a half-hour or so,I get tired and feel very fatigued.I was very energetic and also a very high-strung type of guy up til a few months ago when all this started.The first 3 days after the surgery were painfully miserable,but Prayer took me through it.I often told myself,"You know there's millions of people suffering from medical conditions far worse than this who would give anything to trade places with me".Today, I find my recovery much slower than I anticipated it would be.But every day,I push myself to walk a little further and stay on my feet a little longer.But making sure not to lift anything!!! To all of you out there,DONT BE AFRAID.GOD WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH IT!

My 16 year old has had nausea and stomach issues for the past 2 years. The last two weeks things have escalated to severe pain. Previously, when she ate she would have a stopped up feeling and pain so she has lost weight and slowed down eating. The past two weeks, she was throwing up to the point of having blood. Upper GI showed nothing, no food allergies, sonogram nothing, but that was after a trip to ER, that ended with morphine and GI numb medicine. We just did the Hydascan and pray the results show an issue. This is hard as a mother to see your child suffer and don’t have a cause. Plus she has missed too much school. Her pain was in the upper middle rotated down on right side with lots of tenderness and moved to the back.

5-02-2012 20:40
ITs so good to read these testimonies,as you think you are the only one. Just had gb removal 5days ago. I’m 55 and this was the first time ever sick. At the minute my pain is when I take a full breath,it’s quite a sharp pain and is there most times. I am up and about and went out walking today.my frustration is that I find it hard to settle at home as I was always working or out involved in something. I would like to get back to work asap,
Has anyone felt they went back too soon,and what was the consequences?
Obviously that’s not my intention,but just wondered,

I had my galbladder removed about 5 years ago -my lung spontanious colasps last year -I just had some back xrays and looks like there is a slapple and aa clamp still in there is that suppose to be there and could that have been the reason my lung colasped I know the answer is your oppion-Thanks

Mark, I was glad to read your post. Most of these posts involve surgeries due to stones. My son has bililary dyskenisia as well. He hasn’t felt well for almost 3 years now. (He’s 22) He had a bout of Mono. which is when all of this started. I can’t help but think that had something to do with this…but anyway… So, post surgery, you’ve felt better? How long was it before you were back to “your old self”? I’ve seen a lot of comments about constipation. What’d you do for that? One thing I’m concerned about is that my son is a very picky eater…always has been. His diet consists of hamburgers/frys, pizza, tacos, and the like. I know the doc will tell us this, but in your case, did you lay off of fatty foods for awhile and reintroduce them slowly back into your diet?…or go back to your regular diet as soon as you felt like eating? (assuming you eat like most of the rest of us!) Have you had any problems with nausea or heartburn after eating? Any other comments or words of wisdom – should you have any – would be very appreciated. (his surgery is 3/9)

Leslie, my son also has the same symptoms, going on 3 years. (he’s 22 now) He’s been through every imaginable test. His diagnosis was finally made after the hidascan (sp?). It was bililary dyskenisia. He’s scheduled for surgery 3/9. I can SO relate to you as a mother, having to watch your child suffer and lose weight. It’s agonizing and horrible. My son is about 5’10″ and lost down to about 110 pounds. He looked anorexic. It was frightening. I was never so relieved to finally have a diagnosis – especially one that was “fixable”. He has gained some of his weight back even before surgery, but is looking forward to feeling back to his “old self”. I don’t think he really remembers what feeling good feels like! I’m praying that this surgery will be the answer.
I’m guessing your daughter does have GB issues, but if not, ask the doc if it could be pancreas related. You probably have had a diagnosis by now. What did you find out? I would love to know.

Hi Lori! I was just wondering how your surgery went. What was your experience like compared to some of these other posts? My son will be having the surgery next week.

I also want to ask you, if you don’t mind, how your nursing classes are going. Are you finished? I am 52 and have been considering doing the same thing, but my age has held me back. Do you have any words of wisdom, since you’ve been through it?

I hope you healed from your surgery quickly and completely.
Best of luck to you.

Coffee….scrambled eggs….grilled cheese??!! Those are absolutely food you should NOT have right after having your gallbladder removed. Even if you didn’t have any visible aftermath, those are absolutely foods that are NOT recommended. Unless they were faux foods, i.e. fat-free and caffeine free, I can’t imagine what kind of hospital/medical staff would allow that.

I am so happy for your good results, but your gallbladder was essential in helping to breakdown the fats…don’t overload it, even if you don’t feel poorly when you do.

I actually am 17 and have gallstones. I have to get surgery on the 19th of this month. I am kind of scared. I have been in pain for well over a month and a half. Im just ready for this to be all over.