NWR: Anyone ever have their galbladder removed?

ChiGirl2013 · February 2013

Yeah. I thought it was the stomach flu but it turns out it's most likely my galbladder.... and it's probably going to have to come out. Soon. Like, before the wedding. We have just over 7 weeks to go. Someone PLEASE tell me I can do this and still make it to the wedding - especially since it's a DW and I have to fly. I am absolutely TERRIFIED that they'll tell me I won't be healed enough, and we'll have to cancel and all our guests will lose the money they paid for airfare and hotel and all that.

Anything you can tell me about your recovery would be much appreciated.

[Deleted User] · February 2013

Are you getting laproscopic surgery? If it is, you should have a very quick recovery. Definitely take this option if you can!

[Deleted User] · February 2013

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/laparoscopic-gallbladder-surgery-for-gallstones

What To Expect After Surgery

You may have gallbladder surgery as an outpatient, or you may stay 1 or 2 days in the hospital.

Most people can return to their normal activities in 7 to 10 days. People who have laparoscopic gallbladder surgery are sore for about a week. But in 2 to 3 weeks they have much less discomfort than people who have open surgery. No specialdiets or other precautions are needed after surgery.

adawn1981 · February 2013

It is a fast recovery! Schedule as quickly as you can. You will feel so much better about a week and a half after the surgery Make sure someone can stay home with you and your DD for the first 3 days after surgery though. Hugs and prayers!

[Deleted User] · February 2013

Two of my friends said they couldn't work for 7-10 days and weren't allowed to lift anything over 20 lbs for a month. One friend said she felt a lot better after day 4, she just had to take it slow and she felt good to go after day 7.

redjellybean128 · February 2013

Schedule soon and you should be fine. Hopefully, they will do it laproscopically and it will be a much easier recovery.

I will say this though. a couple of years ago I needed major surgery about 6 weeks before my best friend's wedding. It was something that they thought could be done laproscopically, but ending up with the surgeon cutting into my stomach like a c-section and then all the way up to my belly button. It was hard the first two weeks, but I was able to still be in her wedding and enjoy all of the events leading up to it. I know it's not the same thing, but just wanted to tell you that even worse case scenario with your gall bladder and they can't do it laproscopically, in theory you should still be healed enough in time to enjoy your wedding.

Feel better and good luck!

phoenix870509 · February 2013

My mom had hers removed a few years back. She was back to work a week or so after the surgery and was sore for a couple of days. I hope you feel better soon!

ChiGirl2013 · February 2013

Thanks for all the replies! I don't care about the lifting part since I don't really do that anyway. Unfortunately, we don't have anyone nearby to help with dd, but her school has a before & after school care and the principal said that they do make exceptions if a child needs to come for a week or 2 due to a parent needing surgery. So at least FI can drop her off and pick her up and she has a safe place to go.

Waiting for my GI to call me back, hoping he will just order the tests that are necessary and get this over and done with!

[Deleted User] · February 2013

Just got another response from someone who had their GB out, regarding food:

Vinegar is now a friend, baked and broiled meats nothing fried.

ChiGirl2013 · February 2013

I don't eat much fried food anyway, but man, I could tear through some chicken fingers if I were in the mood!

Thankfully, the doc seems to think it's just an infection but he said it could last up to 14 days. I am on day 5 and have already lost 14lbs. Not the best way to lose weight but hey..... if I have to deal with this for 9 more days, maybe I won't need the corset back in my dress anymore. Lol! Sorry, just had to look on the bright side cuz it's REALLY hard to find a bright side to all of this.

If I am not better by Tuesday, the GI doc will order some tests, so my fingers are crossed that this is over before then. I have yet to hear of a GI test that is even remotely close to being pleasant.

Thanks again for all your responses and good wishes!

[Deleted User] · February 2013

I'm actually having mine out this coming Wednesday...I can't wait to finally have relief! I have been dealing with this for a little over 4 years now. Doctor said I should be back to normal in 2 weeks or so.

[Deleted User] · February 2013

I just noticed you said you're having a dw. If you def have to have your gallbladder out do it ASAP. Most doctors do not want you to fly for a few weeks post surgery to prevent blood clots!

ChiGirl2013 · February 2013

Yeah, that's what I was worried about. I would end up having to rent the car here, drive down (roughly 18 hours by myself) and have FI and dd fly. Dd would NEVER last 19 hours in a car! So I'd have to leave on Tuesday, lose the $400 on my airfare, and pray that FI could manage dd, her car seat, and a carry-on in the airport by himself.

[Deleted User] · February 2013

So I'm a big fan of back up plans. Can you take a train to Savannah instead? That way you could work on some last minute wedding stuff, make calls, etc and not have to go to altitude. I know the amtrak system is somewhat limited once you get into the south but perhaps you could at least get closer to Savvy and rent a car from there.

What airline did you book with? They might have a small flight change fee that would wouldn't cost as much as cancelling altogether. I know SW lets you cancel at the last minute and gives you a flight credit to use within a year.

FI can save himself some carry-on trouble by checking what he can and taking a small carry-on for DD with any medicines, toys, etc. Hopefully that could go into a backpack and save him a hand or two. They will check car seats, too. Once he gets to Savannah, he can rent one of those cart thingys(I think they're only $2 now??) and transport everything wherever it needs to go (rental car?).

Also, can you send a family member or close friend down with FI and DD on the flight to assist him? If not, have faith, he might surprise you :-) You can also ask DD to help HIM get through the airport. Of course, I don't know your daughter but I've found with my 5yo niece and 3yo nephew that if you ask them for their help and give them a seemingly important job(and this one would be) they totally rise to the occasion. I don't know if this would actually work with her but it's just a suggestion :-)

Hope some of these ideas work for you. If not, I'm sure there's another way to work it out if it even came down to all of this. *hugs* It WILL be fine!

ChiGirl2013 · February 2013

He will be fine with her in the airport, I just hate that he will have to lug the car seat. We are firm believers in extended harnessing, so even though she could be in a booster seat, she's still in a full-fledged car seat... and it's rather heavy. We put it in her seat on the plane. I would NEVER EVER check a car seat!!!! I've seen the way they toss luggage around and I'm not about to trust them with a $300 car seat because if they damage it, they won't pay for a new one and if it's damaged, it HAS to be replaced for safety reasons. (I did a LOT of car seat research when I was pregnant and became quite the car seat snob, although I'm not sorry because her safety is the #1 priority.)

Amtrak would take nearly 3 days because I'd have to go from Chicago to New York, and then New York to Savannah. With my anxiety disorder, there's no way I'd be able to fall asleep with strangers all around me. I don't mind the drive, honestly. I got very used to it when I was in college and was many hours from home.

Hopefully I will be fine and none of that will come into play. *fingers crossed*

[Deleted User] · February 2013

Ugh! I hope it won't come in to play, either!

NWR: Anyone ever have their galbladder removed?

Re: NWR: Anyone ever have their galbladder removed?

What To Expect After Surgery

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