Gallbladder Surgery - Round Lake,IL

I had mine out about 6 months ago. I was getting horrible attacks (mostly at night) which would have me in tears lasting for hours. When they did my ultrasound they found a huge gallstone, so like you I went to a surgeon who recommended I just get my galbladder removed. So I set up the appointment, but in the meantime, I found that cutting out as much fat as possible really helped (I was shocked at the amount of fat in most foods), but I really can't live without fat at all, so I was glad I got the surgery. it was really no big deal, in and out same day, with three itty bitty scars and a couple of weeks of recovery (up and around the next day, just sore and tired, but the pain meds helped. Just so you know, it is fairly common from what I have heard and experienced, that your bowel movements won't be like they used to after the surgery, but it was well worth it for me. Good luck!!!

When I was 15 weeks pregnant with my son, I had a pain that started like heartburn and then the next day, I couldn't breathe without it hurting. I went to the ER (because of course it was a Saturday) and was admitted right away to have emergency surgery. I had six gallstones that they could see, and my gallbladder was infected. A couple hours later when they went to do surgery, it had already started turning gangrene. So needless to say, it was serious.

I was admitted on Saturday night, I had my surgery early Sunday morning, but I wasn't allowed to leave until Tuesday night due to complications. The best advice I can give you is, for the first couple days, stay ON TOP OF your pain meds. Even if you're not feeling the pain, if it's "time" to take your next dose of meds, DO IT! The pain comes on so quickly and painfully that if you don't take it before it starts hurting, it's really hard to get rid of.

I had the surgery on Sunday, but I didn't feel like myself until about a week later. But I was also pregnant and exhausted anyway, so that might have had something to do with it!

Good luck!

I had my galllbladder out laproscopically, I stayed in the hospital overnight, but some people go home the same day. The first day it hurts, Vicodin helped. Walking as soon as you can after the surgery is very important to help get rid of the gas that they instill into you during the surgery. You will be very tender for the first week and it will gradually get better after that.

To prevent a gallbladder attack, avoid fatty foods, eat small meals, do not lay down for atleast 1/2 hour after eating.

Good Luck and congratulations on your new baby.

Do get a second opinion with the best gastric doctor you can. My cousin AND my friend had their gall bladders taken out. And the pain stayed. They are doing further tests and don't know what it is yet. Different doctors, different cities. Ask those questions of the doctor and nurse as the nure takes calls post surgery too.

My surgeon was THE best for liver surgery, a very touchy surgery to say the least. I think I remember that he does surgery for gallbladder as well in his specialty. His name is Dr. Dhirish Jeyarajah. Very caring and personable surgeon (which is rare). Recommended as one of the best in Texas if not beyond. I used Methodist Dallas hospital for that surgery. The care was outstanding. He is associated with various hospitals.

I had an experience similar to Michelle's. I was only 23 (in '97) and had emergency surgery to take mine out. I had severe abdominal pain come on suddenly one night and ended up in the ER where they found gallstones and the infected gallbladder through ultrasound. It was turning gangrene and I was actually starting to take on a greenish hue, so it was an emergency! They did it laproscopically and I was home the next morning. I could have gone home that night but I get very nauseous and sick from anesthesia so I opted to stay. The recovery took about a week and I was back at the gym about 9 days later! Not bad at all, you just have to take it easy and let others do heavy lifting and chores. Good luck!

No remedies. It just hurts until you get it out. I couldn't drink Orange Juice before it was out and now that it's gone I can drink OJ and not burp it up days later.

I had mine out in just a few minutes of surgery. it was Laproscopic and I went back to work 2 days later. I am heavier than normal and I ended up scarring because the surgeon didn't really sew the opening shut well. He told me I was built like a rollie pollie and could expect issues witht he incisions.

My sister's ruptured just as it was cut and they ended up opening her up and cleaning her out. She is a Jehovah's witness and would not consent to receiving blood. She nearly died, she got down to 86 lbs. in the hospital. I would say that you need to consider all the options just in case there is an issue. Now days there are so many advances and I don't think it is nearly such a big deal anymore.

I had mine out by emergency surgery in 2008. I was sick for months and months before hand and had no idea. It was outpatient for me. As soon as I woke up I already felt soooo much better. Sure it was a bit painful but I did just have surgery. Hard to get around the first couple of days but manageable. Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

I hd mine removed 3 months after having my kids. It was laperscopic and one night in the hospital. A friend had hers out last year, early morning surgery and she was home about 8 pm. I was told I was almost acute so it was a good thing it was taken care of when it was. My friend had tried "natural remedies" first and was lucky not to have complications to keep her in the hospital.

Went home the same day. I so wish I had not put it off as long as I did. It was a zippy recovery.

Hi J.
I just had my gallbladder removed on 5/18.I did stay overnight only because I was done after 4pm. TAKE/ASK FOR ALL PAIN MEDS! I had mine done through the laparoscope...REMEMBER it is still SURGERY! It does get better do your breathing and coughing exercises and walk around ut dont over do it. Massage your tummy to help the gas move. Take STOOL SOFTENERS. they are your friends .it is 5/21 and I am soo happy to poop!!!
Good Luck ...gallbladders dont get better EVER!! they only get WORSE! It is better to do it when you have control than to wait and have to go in for emergency surgery.
peace and love sister
T. P

Hi J.. I had my gallbladder removed less than a month after giving birth by c-section to my son. I had those gallbladder attacks (that extreme pain) all during my pregnancy which almost led to me having it out while I was pregnant. I had my surgery done at 1 pm so I went home by 6 that night. But if I had had the surgery after 4, they would have kept me overnight. The recovery was tougher than I thought but I did just have a c-section. Like the other poster said, take the pain medication. Walk around to try and get the gas out. I avoided fatty foods and dairy until I had mine out, it didn't help but that's what they told me to do. All I can say it that I am SO glad I finally had that stupid thing taken out. I haven't had any problems since then. Good luck!

The same thing happened to me. I had a baby and 2 weeks later, I needed to have emergency gall bladder surgery. I ended up in the hospital for a week with complications. So, as you are finding out, the recovery period varies. Don't be suprised though if it takes you longer to recvover once home too. You just had a baby and then you have to recover from abdominal surgery. Your body will feel like you have been put throught he ringer, especially if you have had a c-section. Mine wasn't right for about 8 months. Sorry to be a downer but I thought I would share the other side of things with you, since you asked.

Good luck and whatever you do, stay away from Northwest Community Hospital. They literally almost killed me.

Exactly the same thing happened to me. The gall bladder pain was 100 times worse than child birth.

I was told until I had the surgery I could eat no fat whatsoever. The fat is what triggers the attack. Steamed veggies (no butter), pasta with tomato sauce (read the label to make sure there's no fat and NO cheese). No meat, nothing packaged. Salad (no salad dressing).

Although, it's major surgery. It was rather simple, 3 small incissions. I stayed overnight and went home the next day. They told me no driving for 2 weeks. I think that was because of the pain meds, which I only took for 2 days. After going through childbirth and the gallbladder attack, recovery was simple. After a week I was fine. One of my friends who had her gallbladder removed has problems when she eats a fatty meal (like fried chicken and fries), but it doesn't seem to bother me.

Good luck.

I had mine out in 1992. At that time the sugery required a hospital stay. Now most place do it as outpatient and the recovery time is a lot quicker. As far as attacks they are brought on by fats, certain food mineral (especially those found in the cabbage family) and more important for a woman, hormones. Having just had a baby if you have a flair up now you may be in pain till you have the surgery. I you are using an hormone based birth control right now you have to stop as it will only make things worse. I know that with my first I start on the minipiill after my post delivery check.