Does anyone know someone who has had...

thier gallbladder removed? What is the surgery like? Is is major? Tough recovery? My mom just went to the ER last night and they told her to call a surgeon because she needs it removed. She always plays things down as no big deal but I really want to know how bad the surgery is.

TIA!

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My mom did & my sister may need it soon.

My mom's was major surgery but that was back in the ancient times, so I don't think it counts.

I don't know if it's major but I do know that it is routine.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My grandfather had it done but that was about 15 years ago..It was a tough recovery but I believe he was out of the hospital in 2 weeks...He was in his 70's though when he had it done.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My FIL had it done two years ago.
He had it done on an outpatient basis and was off his feet for about ten days, then slowly started doing stuff. I don't think he was able to play golf again for about a month because of the twisting motion.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

Wow. I seriously expected you guys to say it was no biggie... I hope my mom is going to be okay. At least she won't be in pain anymore.

Thanks for the info.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I know 2 people who had it done, but when they told me they didn't focus on the surgery. It was more of a relief to them to finally know WHY they were waking up in horrible pain in the middle of the night. So it is good your mom found out. A lot of people go many years without relief because they don't know the cause.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I had mine out. Like your mom, I had to do it as an emergency (was admitted to the hospital to await my surgery). Alot of people have it done as a scheduled ambulatory surgery. Its really pretty benign. I was out of work for 2 weeks, but I really probably could have returned ater 1 week.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I had mine out as well. DH rushed me to the ER on Sunday Night/Mon. AM (around 2 or 3) and they admitted me.
I had the lap. surgery Tues night and was home Thursday.
The lap. surgery is a pretty easy recovery. I rested all day Friday and by Sat. I was up walking around. Slowly of course.
I have 2 friends that they couldn't do lap. They had to "open them up" and their recovery was longer.
Your mom will be fine.
What hospital?

FM me if you want.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My mom did.
She had the laproscopic surgery- was home the next day and back to work in a week
She said it wasn't bad at all for her.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

As far as I know, they do it laproscopically in most cases and you are home the next day or even the same day in some cases. I am not too familiar with the recovery, although I don't think its supposed to be that bad.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My brother is supposed to have his out sometime soon. He's going to have laproscopic surgery, and was told he'd be kept in the hospital overnight, and if he does it on a Friday, he should be back to work by Monday.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My mother also had hers done on an emergency and the could not do the lap. kind. She was in the hospital for a few days. After which she was in bed probably another 3-5. Physically her recovery was not bad, but it took a long time before she didn't have to watch what she ate. That was the worst part for her.

Good luck to your mom

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I am having mine out 2/29 at LIJ. Dr said 1 week to feel better, 2 weeks to be back to your old self

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

My mom did. It wasn't major. She barely has a scar. She wasn't in the hospital overnight, but she was in bed for a few days after. This was over 10 years ago though- I'm sure there have been advances since then.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I had mine out in 94 laproscopic....spent overnight in hospital and was off my feet for about two days and back to work in a week. The surgery really messes with your stomach muscles...you dont realize how much you need your stomach muscles for walking and getting up!!! The surgery itself with no complications is really not a big deal anymore and pretty routine. I have four very small scars which you can barely see anymore.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I had it done on nov.13th 2003, I had to have the big surgery,"i'm the other friend lvdolphins is talking about', I was suppose to have lap but because it was diseased and infected i didn't. I was suppose to stay in the hospital for 5 days but was out that sunday, but the recovery had home took 6 weeks But i have to admit the surgery isn't that bad.Dont worry your mom will be fine.

Message edited 2/15/2008 7:40:45 PM.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

Posted by sfp0701

Wow. I seriously expected you guys to say it was no biggie... I hope my mom is going to be okay. At least she won't be in pain anymore.

Thanks for the info.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I had mine removed in 2005... 1 month before my wedding. The surgery was not that bad and I was only in the hospital overnight. I was back at work 1 week later and I was playing golf with no problems at all on my Honeymoon.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

I had mine out.

I was admitted as an emergency and I stayed over night.

The surgery was not bad ..

Afterwards I had some gas pain in the shoulder which was bad, but expected....and it took me some time to be able to walk without pain..maybe 10 days but it was not bad at all.

Re: Does anyone know someone who has had...

my mom, my brother, and my best friend had theirs removed. All were done laproscopically and were same day surgeries. The worst part for all of them was the gas, but it wasn't that bad. I don't remember exactly how long they were out of work but it was not real extensive. My brother had it out as an emergency when he was visiting my parents and it did not extend his trip too significantly.
Good luck to your mom! I have had a few GB attacks due to sludge (no stones though) and the surgery I am sure will be a breeze in comparison to the pain from the attacks.