Gallbladder/stones removal ... Anyone had this surgery ??

[smiles4u]

Hi all,

I have surgery on the 28th of January to remove my gallbadder with gallstones (which i ended up in hospital a few weeks ago in severe pain therefore found out what the problem was through an ultrasound).

In the meantime i once in awhile am getting the pain which rises to my chest mostly at night and i only take the medication ' Tramedo ' provided when absolutely necessary when the pain is getting too much.

******** I have quite a few questions ;

With surgery what will i expect straight after ?? (they say i might be in hospital one or two nights) , for example is it easy to shower on own those first few days, etc ...

What's it like to eat afterwards when the gallbladder is removed ??

What kinds of food to keep clear of ?

How long did it take to heal ?

DP is unsure as to how much time to take off work to help look after our 3.5year old DD (what do you suggest ??)

... and has anyone taken the medication Tramedo for the pain i get in the meantime before surgery ? ... I was also given Panamax & Rafen but when i took it with the Tramedo i felt like a zombie so haven't taken them together again (only taken the Tramedo when absolutely needed !!)

Also the surgeon said to be careful with what i eat as after having a gallbadder removed it's common to put on weight (which i would dread) ... Has this happen to anyone, putting on weight after ??

TIA for any helpful advice, tips or suggestions

[smiles4u]

[AnyDream]

L I feel for you sweetie ...I had gallstones and a particularly long wait on the public hospital waiting list before getting them out. There are a few threads on the topic - esp about what to eat (super low fat) as fat triggers the production of bile and can cause the gallbladder to start spasming and OMG we both know how painful that is. I will see if I can find them for you.

Other things I found useful for managing attacks:
* Drinking a hot drink like black tea when you feel an attack coming on
* Sitting upright - sleeping upright if you have to
* Taking an over-the-counter anti-spasmodic like Buscopan can help enormously during an attack - I only found out about this about 10 days before my op and wished I knew about it from the beginning
* If you feel nauseous, ask your dr for a script for maxolon - take it when you have an attack coming down cos there is nothing worse than vomiting up your pain meds still undigested
* A few times I took gaviscon because it felt like reflux - I don't know if it helped but the vomit sure was nice and minty tasting LOL
* I kept a gallstone attack "kit" ready - an icecream bucket (vomiting), a hot wheat pack, and all the tablets together in the one place so if I felt an attack coming on I could start the counter-measures straight away
* Breathing deeply and relaxing as much as you can (if you can) will also help

I was given panadeine forte (same drugs but a bit stronger than your Panamax) but after the event I discovered it was actually making the attacks WORSE - codeine can cause biliary spasm in some people. So if it helps you, good. But if your pain escalates after taking it - stop taking it!!!

Tramedo (tramadol) is a strong pain killer so I would check with your dr as to whether they intended you to take all those drugs together or to use them at separate times, kwim? Gallstone attacks can get very very bad - I was going up to the ER in the middle of the night to have shots of pethedine because I couldn't cope at home - even had an ambo ride one night - but it will depend on the actual level of pain you are having as to how you manage it - some people just get mild to moderate discomfort. IF you can, take your meds as early as possible in an attack, if you can relax the area before the attack gets going it won't be as bad and it won't last as long.

Re the surgery:
If your surgeon is doing keyhole surgery it's an overnight stay in hospital and a fairly quick recovery. I didn't go home the next morning - still had significant pain until they took the surgical drain out later that morning, then ate and went home late in the afternoon. Didn't need help for showering. I ate light meals for the first few days but was back to eating normally fairly quickly. I was pretty tired for a couple of weeks afterwards but honestly it is not a big deal. My DH took a week off work but i had my surg on a Fri so I had him at home for 10 days and able to manage fine with DD who was 16 mths old ok.

I lost heaps of weight when I had gallstones - I was eating virtually *no fat* in order to prevent attacks - I reintroduced fat into my diet gradually after the op and only ever have problems if I eat a particularly greasy meal (eg fish & chips) - can digest it ok but have a nasty bowel movement the next day. I gained weight after my op but I think that has more to do with the comfort eating after my cansa diagnosis and the steroid weight gain from chemo and nothing to do with the gallbladder at all.

I will try to find those old threads and bump them for you. xxx

[smiles4u]

Oh Marydean thank you, thank you that would be wonderful for the other threads

... and all the information you gave me is just absolutely so fantastic and incredibly helpful

Doc that prescribed me these drugs was a trainee Doc at the hosp emergency and he wasn't clear with how to take them ... needless to say i was in agony will he was telling me

I'm thankfully going private hospital the surgeon would have done the surgery next week but his going on holidays ... he came highly recommended so i'm happy to wait until the 28th as the pain is manageable for now (saying that with fingers crossed ).

... Marydean, thanks a million times over again ... such a huge hearted help you are lovely lady xOx

[AnyDream]

Reading those old threads sure took me back, Smiles! I found the op fairly easy - even tho I'm kinda scared of hospitals and needles and doctors and things - and the best thing is the relief is immediate. You'll be fine

[mzcatieboo]

I started having attacks 5 months after i had DS, the next month i went to the doctors at the end of the month and i was booked in for surgery a week later. they didnt give me ANYTHING for the pain and it was horrible, i cried everytime i got it.

I had keyhole surgery, i slept for a rather long time after i had it and woke up about 5pm, i had a reaction to the gas but i just slept it off. i cant remember what i ate.. they tried to get me outta bed but i told them i wanted to wait untill DH got there.. he helped me shower and walk around .. it was so painful as i still had the tube and whatever coming outta my belly. but once that tube came out, i could walk ALOT better and wasnt in a great deal of pain. but having a 6 month old nearly 7 months really put limits on what i could do.. DH stayed home for a week all up just to be safe which helped alot.

As for food now, ive been unlucky and most things dont agree with me so i can have good days where i dont needa go toilet but most days guarenteed after a meal im on the toilet.. i really hate it & end up with diarrhea alot.. i really am not keen on it. SORRY ABOUT THE TMI. DS is 3 this month and its still happening. hopefully your luck enough and dont have that problem.

Good luck with your surgery.

Cate

[Doodlebug]

Hi,

I also had my gallbladder out in March last year. I had keyhole surgery (I think this is pretty much the way it's done these days) and stayed in that night then home the next day. Dh had 4 days off work then it was back to normal. The pain wasn't too bad at all, nothing panadol couldn't fix.

I thought I escaped relatively well with the food restrictions, I kept a low fat diet for about 4 weeks after the op then slowly introduced fatty foods to see what my body would do. All was fantastic until I became pregnant!!! Now I can't tolerate high fat foods or it has me on the toilet for a while! (Sorry if TMI).

Tramadol is a strong painkiller, stronger than panadine forte, I would maybe ring the Nurse on Call or even the hospital and ask them to explain how/when you're supposed to take them. Or if you have a nice chemist maybe pop down there?

You'll be fine through the surgery, I think it's only a 30min operation! Nice and quick! And fingers crossed recovery will be easy. Just be gentle with your body afterwards, take your time eating foods and try new foods at home first to see how your body will respond!

Good Luck!

[Mother Goose]

Hi all,

I have surgery on the 28th of January to remove my gallbadder with gallstones (which i ended up in hospital a few weeks ago in severe pain therefore found out what the problem was through an ultrasound).

In the meantime i once in awhile am getting the pain which rises to my chest mostly at night and i only take the medication ' Tramedo ' provided when absolutely necessary when the pain is getting too much.

******** I have quite a few questions ;

With surgery what will i expect straight after ?? (they say i might be in hospital one or two nights) , for example is it easy to shower on own those first few days, etc ...

What's it like to eat afterwards when the gallbladder is removed ??

What kinds of food to keep clear of ?

How long did it take to heal ?

DP is unsure as to how much time to take off work to help look after our 3.5year old DD (what do you suggest ??)

... and has anyone taken the medication Tramedo for the pain i get in the meantime before surgery ? ... I was also given Panamax & Rafen but when i took it with the Tramedo i felt like a zombie so haven't taken them together again (only taken the Tramedo when absolutely needed !!)

Also the surgeon said to be careful with what i eat as after having a gallbadder removed it's common to put on weight (which i would dread) ... Has this happen to anyone, putting on weight after ??

TIA for any helpful advice, tips or suggestions

Hi Hon,

Who is doing your Surgery?

Let me answer as many Q's as a I can. I had mine done in 07.

What to expect straight after - some people have a drain tube put in (a lot of the time it comes down to surgeon's preference). It won't be any more or less uncomfortable with it in but it isn't very nice when they take it out. You may have some pain - I did. I had everything they could give me. But whether or not you have pain will largely depend on YOUR pain threshold. My pain was not gall stone pain. I don't actually RECALL having pain but I do recall being awake in recovery (for about 30 sec) and the nurse telling me he couldn't give me anything else. Next thing I was on the ward trying to rub my nose off my face because I reacted to the morph. Showering was easy - no drama's at all. I staid one night - I did have the option to stay 2 but DD was only 8 weeks old and I wanted home! I was also a private patient.

Eating afterwards was fine. No problems at all. No dietry restrictions. Some people find they are more sensitive to certain foods even after the surgery but you won't really know until you try. Weight gain post this surgery is usually related to the person eating foods higher in fat content because those foods no longer cause pain.

To heal it was about a week before I could hold DD as close as I would have liked (she was FF so I was lucky to not have to deal with BF and the scar on my bra line!). I was walking 3Km a day within 1.5 weeks. I don't imagine you will be able to lift your DD easily for a few days so maybe if he takes a week off and some flexibility for the second week?

Tramadol is, as MD said, very strong. It can and does make people a wee loopy. I have it for back pain and only take it as a last resort. HOWEVER, at work it is one of the first things we give (IV). If we can give oral panadeine forte or tramadol, we're guided by the strength and type of pain. If it were, for example, 8/10 and felt like gall stones, we'd give tramadol. If it were 8/10 but not spasming, we'd give pan forte. MD is right, buscopan will help a lot. I actually found I could control my attacks with buscopan and stemetil (anti-emetic AKA anti-nausea). You CAN take panamax and tramadol together... panamax.

The pain you describe you're getting at night sounds like it could be one of the following;
reflux
gall stones travelling through the bile duct and causing a spasm because it is grating the sides of the duct (most likely cause).

Try buscopam when this happens.

HTH and ask any questions you might still have.

MG

[smiles4u]

Oh i couldn't thank all you lovely ladies enough ...as you have given me such great insight as to what to possibly expect (yeh i'm not one to like hidden surprises) ... so for your honesty i really do truly thank you all too

Yes, i forgot to mention it's key hole ... and yeh 2 on each side then 1 on belly button.

The GP i saw (as i couldn't get into mine) at my regular medical clinic to see about my ultrasound results said he recommended this surgeon (Dr.Deutcher) as if he was the one getting it done he would chose this surgeon himself ...

He was a lovely surgeon as he was very informative & patient and had a high level of warmth & compassion ... sadly very much unlike some surgeons i have had in the past

... and YES i need to ask about the Trampeod in when & how to take (i DO feel unsettled to not know more about it).

********** DO YOU ALL THINK " ONE WEEK " WOULD BE ENOUGH FOR DP TO ASK TAKE WORK ????? (DP works IT in CBD Melb, his boss is really good, so could offer to work from home if need be) *********

Thank you to you ALL from the bottom heart once again

P.S - MG, yeh that certainly sounds like the reason at night, thanks for offering to be on hand for anymore questions i ' may ' think of, i greatly appreciate that

[hj1981]

I would say yep a week off for you DH would be pleanty of time

[Mother Goose]

There is most likely going to be a 4th hole hon. There is usually two on one side (depending on which side the surgeon likes to work from), one in the belly button (which is where the gall bladder is pulled from) and one inline with the sternum on your bra line.

Tramadol is 4-6 hourly. This should be clearly marked on the packet. You should take it when you feel you need it. As a nurse, I would recommend you take it if the pain is 6 or above out of 10. However, I would also educate you to NOT let your pain get that high. The higher it is before you take anything, the longer it takes to get under control and the need for a higher dose. I would suggest the panamax and some buscopam as soon as you notice the pain starting - wait 30 min and then if the pain is increasing, take the tramadol. Having said that, you don't always get that nice little warm up of pain - sometimes it starts at a 10!

1 week should be enough for DP to have off - I came home on a Fri and mine was back at work that afternoon (but my DD was also only 8 weeks old!).

[AnyDream]

Weight gain post this surgery is usually related to the person eating foods higher in fat content because those foods no longer cause pain.

YEP! I chewed my way thru a whole packet of mince pies that DH had saved for me because I coudn't have any at christmas LOL.

MG's advice is very good. You are such an asset to the BB community !!

Smiles, a week should be plenty, but if your DH's work is pretty flexible, and you find a week is not enough, then it sounds like he'll have no problems organising a few more days. You need to feel like you can cope ok before he goes back to work and don't forget to ask for help from friends etc if you need it!!!

[smiles4u]

.... MD, thanks from the bottom of my heart ... you have made me feel so much better in more ways than one, ... i don't expect a picnic, lol (have had surgery twice before) ... BUT having said that you our lovely MD have put me at great ease

and ' again ' thanks & hugs to everyone else for your wonderful help & input

[Mother Goose]

sorry hon, I've been away and only just seen this.

As MD said, if you have pain or nausea, just buzz the nurses and let them know - they will give you something to help. The nurses can also help you shower if you need it. And there is a call bell in the bathroom if you find you need them half way through.

In regards to the drain - are you definately having one? It isn't a big deal - you can lay on your side and everything. You won't even know it's there. I only knew it was there because they told me! I didn't really need one but my surgeon puts them in anyone who is a nurse or lawyer

Re: the bra - I wore my underwire home.

Wishing you all the best hon!

[smiles4u]

Thanks heaps MG ... yeh, not sure if my surgeon will choice to have the drain (read that they all don't) just mentally preparing myself, lol

... and yep NO bra in the hospital, just wanna be comfy as can be

Bags all packed & heading in 8am tomorrow ... if you don't see me about for awhile ** hugs ** to you all for being so helpful and KEEP SMILING

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

[AnyDream]

Hi Smiles - I have been thinking of you and wondering how you're going after your surgery? I hope it was a great success - immediate relief - and that you're feeling better and starting to feel functional again.

[smiles4u]

Thanks so much MD xoxoxox


... Got home yesterday, YAY ... and double yay surgery was a success


For anyone about to read this that is embarking on the same surgery please know from my own experience it is all good ... the keyhole surgery usually goes for 1 to 1.5hrs (mine was 1.5hrs), have 5 neat incisions (they are small), no drain (as not all surgeons choose to use them), was in recovery room for no more than 30mins - wasn't feeling sick so didn't vomit (but then i never do in recovery, just lucky i guess) ... was wheeled into my private room in the private hospital and was checked by nurses every 15mins for quite awhile. Even managed a very light snack that night.

My only advice would be if you can stay in the hospital for * 2 nights * do so, will give you that little bit more time to physically recover (my sister had her gallstones removed years ago and she advice i stay two nights)

Only side effect so far is today i have had the runs (sorry TMI) so lovely DP has headed up to the ' good ' book shops this arvo to see if there are any books about what to eat & not eat after gallballder removal ... we were given no info from the hospital staff even when i asked, just told to resume ' normal ' diet which isn't good enough info for me to hear. We have checked out websites which mostly seem to be American sites, but i'd rather get some in depth reading material. So hopefully DP will find a book !!


So, all went BRILLIANT (i had a wonderful surgeon ) ... except for my incredibly disappointing experience in the newly built only private hospital here in Ballarat which i'm about to have my (i think) first ever whinge in the ** Boo Hoo ** Room here on BB (so if your game enough to read my story there keep in mind it most likely won't happen to you if your not going to the same hospital


HEARTFELT THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR INPUT & HELP ...

" MARYDEAN & MOTHERGOOSE " I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU BOTH IN HOSPITAL, BOTH YOUR ADVICE HELPED ME IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE ... AND I WILL BE FOREVER GRATEFUL TO YOU BOTH (MG a couple of nurses before surgery asked if i was a nurse, i had a giggle cause i think i must have asked them something you had mentioned being a nurse yourself, lol )

[AnyDream]

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