Gallbladder Removal - Fort Myers,FL

I had laproscopic gall bladder surgery 2 months after my first child was born. I found it hard to eat foods that were high in fat for the first couple of months. Now, (5 years later) I experience very little discomfort. I do know that Pepcid AC always helped me if I felt an attack coming on!

I'm glad that you are being preventative about your health, I know it is not always easy to accept. I hope you feel better soon and that you finish that RN! Good luck!

Hi B.. I just had my gallbladder removed at then end of January and I'm just now starting to get back to normal. Alot of it has to do with the fact that I didn't take it easy....2 days after my surgery, I was up running errands and lifting my kids and such. But for a whole month, I've been sick, getting everything from a flu to a stomach virus to laryngitis. And my energy level just isn't what it use to be. Even my mom noticed. I was able to eat normal foods again probably about 2 weeks ago. Not long after I had my surgery, I tried to eat some Taco Bell and got REALLY sick from it. Give it a little bit more time. Having 2 surgeries back to back like that is going to wreck havoc on your system. Take it easy (hello pot, this is the kettle and your black! lol) and give it time.

B.,

You didn't say which procedure you had.

About 9 or 10 years ago I had laproscopic surgery to remove my gall bladder. I had lots of problems with running to the bathroom constantly, cramps, etc. The ultrasound showed no stones, but an inflamed gall bladder.

I was home in a few hours. Other than wanting to sleep off the anesthesia, I had no problems whatsoever. I even tried to talk my mother into going home that night and leaving me alone, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. I felt fine the next day. Very little discomfort. The only problems I have had is that what I really had was IBS and a small nick in my liver (discovered 6 years later by accident.)

People do sometimes have discomfort from the gas that they use to inflate the abdomen, but it is eventually absorbed. Sounds like your body has just been through so much (including the hectic schedule) that it is just going to take time to recover.

If you don't see improvement -- a little bit every day or few days, touch base with the doctor. It sounds like this is going to be a slow process and you need to take things slow as well.

Good Luck!!

M.

Hi:

My 10 year old step daughter just had her gallbladder removed last month and my best friend had hers taken out last summer, my friend's sounds a lot like your situation, she had to have it done shortly after she had her baby due to complications from labor and she vomitted for weeks with severe stomach pain and some bouts of diareah before the gallbladder was removed, after the surguery she felt great, she hasn't even seen the inside of a doctors office since then. I think it took her a week or so to finally feel really back to normal but after that she was able to resume all normal activites and there are no diet restrictions for my friend or my step daughter.

Get well soon.

T.

Hi B.,
I had a laparscopic surgery to remove my gallbladder 3 weeks after my c-section with my first son. I went home 3 hours after my surgery because I needed to get home to care for my preemie and except for throwing-up once (which is normal) and a little gas pain (expected) was fine. Walking will get the gas mobilized and out quickly. Laying in bed will only make you worse. If your MD knew you were lying in bed he would tell you to get up and move. Pneumonia is the number one complication following most surgeries and laying around in bed will increase your risks. Are you taking narcotic pain relievers for the incisional discomfort? If so they may be making you too sleepy. Ask your MD what he would prefer for an over the counter pain med. I took ibuprophen. Gallbladder surgery does NOT typically put you in bed for 3 days. I had a baby shower 2 days after mine was removed and felt good. Nobody would have guessed, but everybody has different pain tolerances. Are you running a fever or having any other symptoms that may be abnormal? As far as diet is concerned, you will have to eat a low fat diet from now on. Otherwise, you will likely be bothered with diarrhea or cramping. You may also experience weight gain after a gallbladder removal if you do not follow dietary restrictions. One more thing...if you wear a bikini...keep your incisions out of the sun for 2-3 months and keep them dry (no baths). The sunlight and moisture will make your scaring more obvious. Also you likely have 4 areas that have been cut through in your abdominal muscles. Do not try to lift anything heavy including your child or another hernia may appear. Good luck...it sounds like you are in the home stretch...hang in there...and get that RN...it will change your life!
A.

I had my gallbladder removed. When I had a gallbladder attack, I thought I was having a heart attack. I went to the ER, they treated me for a heart attack (meanwhile I am only 32 at the time).. Then an ultrasound showed my gallbladder full of "sludge".. So, a week later I was in surgery to have it removed. It took me about 4 days to really feel better. I never had a problem with any foods that I ate, and still don't. You've had a lot happen to your body in such a short period of time, so give your body a chance to catch up and heal. Best of Luck... Hope you begin to feel better soon..

I had my gallbladder removed on mothers day this past year. It became infected and swelled up. I started vomiting on thursday night and thought it was just what I ate or a backache and by sunday I was in the hospital. I stayed there (with my hubby off work caring for my then 2 month old) for 2 days after the surgery. It's VERY important you get up and walk, even a few steps here and there, but it helps move the air out of your abdomen more quickly. It took me another 3 or 4 days at home after surgery to get back into the swing of things. Keep in mind not everyone recovers so well, I'm the type to have a baby and be cleaning out my flowerbed 3 days later. Just me.

Take it easy and don't beat yourself up about doing so. This type of surgery is major surgery, you could pop stiches or cause an infection if you don't give yourself time to heal.

The hubby will be fine ;)

TIME IS THE BEST!!! same happened to me 3 months after I gave birth to my child. After they removed my gallbladder I felt horrible and surprise most doctors since they say it is an easy procedure and the send you home by the third day. Well in my case I spent 11 days in the hospital feeling HORRIBLE for probably the first 5 or 6. Then it gradually got better. It did help to star on a very bland easy diet, starting with liquids only for the 1st and 2nd day then gradually move up... now I eat Evrything I used to eat and dont seem to have any issues... just give it some time and good luck!! FEEL BETTER!!!!

I had my gallbladder removed three years ago. I was full of stones. Prior to surgery I would have vomitting episodes that were brought on by stress or various foods like garlic, tomatoe sauce, hot dogs, anythign acidic. After surgery the nurses told me that I could anything I wanted which I really wasn't able to do for a few months. I had to gradually reintroduce the foods that bothered me prior to surgery. Recovering time for me wasn't that bad probably because I had only the one procedure, but I did have 5 month old twins. The worst part was the gas from the surgery leaving my system. You have put your body through a lot. It will take extra time to heal. Good luck!

B.- I have not been through this, but I noticed your profile says you are going to school to be a nurse. God is putting you through this so you will know what some of your patients go through and it will make you a better nurse to have been on the other side of what recovery is like, you know? There are some nurses who are so robotic and cold, but take this as a learning experience that you can put yourself in your future patient's shoes and treat them how you would like to be treated. You'll be OK. I'm sorry you're going through this.

What you are feeling is normal for some. I had that surgery in Nov and just now back to normal per say. I too was sick for several days with tons of pain. After about 2 weeks I was up doing most of what I was before. Lingering was wheight loss, supressed appitite, liver enzimes stayed up for a bit too,blaoting, and fatigue. Whatch what you eat, some food will cause lots of discomfort and bloating every time you eat them for a while too, and some times you get the runs for a couple of months. And keep an eye out for infection, usually not an issue any more with proper care.Good luck on your recovery. Several surgeries in a row like that can cause a slower recovery sometimes. I had 4-5 in a 1-2 months. It took a while to feel ok.