Monday I'm getting my gallbladder removed. They found 2 pollups about 1 cm in size and doctors want to take out the whole gallbladder, so I might not be on the forum for a while after that. Then again maybe I'll be on a lot more than usual, or perhaps never again. They say it's one of the easier surgeries, but then again it's surgery which has more than just simply opening someone up involved. I'll keep ya up to date. :smile:
Here's a look at what the surgery looks like.
[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=lC07fy0swz4&mode=related&search=
My oldest sister had to have her gallbladder removed a couple of years ago. I think that they only had to make a small incision to get it out with all of the advancements in surgery. She was still pretty sore after it though but she just kept getting gall stones which were causing her some severe pain.
Good luck!
That's correct. They make three incisions and fill the abdomen with gas. Thanks Torgo.
I had my gall bladder removed in 2000. It is laparascopic surgery, and so it is not very tough to recover from. It was outpatient surgery, so I was out of the hospital in the early afternoon (they made me wait until I threw up, a sign the anesthesia was all out of my system). I was back to work inside of a week (office job). I took it easy on lifting stuff for a month, but I never really felt particularly bad--no pain, just a lot of passing gas immediately after the surgery. It is kind of deceptive; it is major surgery, but you feel like nothing is really wrong, so it is tempting to try to shorten your recovery period. My advice: don't. Sit, post here, rest, post here, eat, sleep, post, etc. Good luck and God be with you.
Thanks Derf. Do you miss not having your gallbladder? Do you have a special diet or can you eat about anything? I hear that if you eat fats you pass gas a lot. Is that true 7 years later?
Hi Scott,
You're going to be fine, and doing cartwheels in 2 or 3 weeks !! I was nervous the first time I had surgery, but I've been under twice. I know many people who have had gallbladderectomies... or whatever y'call 'em. You're going to be fine. :smile:
That's 3 testimonials. :thumbup:
Wow, sounds reassuring. It sounds so good that I regret that I have only one gallbladder to remove. :teddyr:
It looks like they use almost a pen like instrument to pierce the abdomen and then burn away the ends of the gallbladder to remove it.
A very good friend of mine aged 55 just had his removed about 3 months ago, and he was out of the hospital in 2 days and walking around hunky-dory in 10. It's extremely common.
Sounds super good you guys. Thanks again. I must get ready for bed now. Check back with you tomorrow.
I've got to watch one of those in class soon. Gotta love the medical field.
:cheers:
I've never had to have any kind of serious or mild surgery in my life. I always make sure that my karma is in good check though. I've had to have some stuff like my wisdom teeth being taken out but that's about it.
Does anyone watch that surgery channel on Direct TV? A friend of mine has it and we watched the other day where they had to operate on this guy whose girlfriend had stabbed him in the chest with a butcher knife. Of course, the main thing is to not pull the knife out as that's what's keeping the victim from bleeding to death.
The sick thing was that you could see the handle of the knife moving slightly in rhythm with the beating of his heart. I'm a huge horror fan and I still can't stand the sight of actual blood sometimes. The sight of that knife pulsating a bit made me queasy. :teddyr:
Sounds like it's not a "big-deal" surgery, Scott. Perfect chance to catch up on your movie watching while you recuperate.
:smile: Hi Scott
Just a quick post from Pretoria to wish you well, my friend. :smile:
I have been told that some (well, a lot of) ice-cream does wonders for the body after an op. I had surgery in June last year and all I ate was ice-cream.
Good wishes and sterkte (strength) to you! :thumbup:
Quote from: Torgo on October 17, 2007, 10:45:52 PM
I've never had to have any kind of serious or mild surgery in my life. I always make sure that my karma is in good check though.
My avatar karma is already going up. Guess everyone should try this. :teddyr:
Quote from: Joe the Destroyer on October 17, 2007, 10:38:01 PM
I've got to watch one of those in class soon. Gotta love the medical field.
I'll check and see if I can get you a front row seat Joe The Destroyer. What do you look like? Maybe I can get you in as substitute.
Quote from: Rev. Powell on October 18, 2007, 12:15:59 AM
Sounds like it's not a "big-deal" surgery, Scott. Perfect chance to catch up on your movie watching while you recuperate.
That's What I keep telling myself. Fortunately I discovered an interesting form of prayer a few months ago. The timing seems to be working out. :smile:
Quote from: Scott on October 17, 2007, 09:09:47 PM
Thanks Derf. Do you miss not having your gallbladder? Do you have a special diet or can you eat about anything? I hear that if you eat fats you pass gas a lot. Is that true 7 years later?
Things are a little different, but there are no eating restrictions at all, and no, I have not had more gas than I did before the surgery. Less, in fact, despite eating lots of fats. I don't want to go into the realm of Too Much Information, but the worst thing is that the bile that was stored in the gall bladder has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is straight into the intestines, which makes for some quick runs to the bathroom (no pun intended. ewwwwww).
I know that facing surgery is frightening, but the surgical technology today makes this one pretty painless. This is the only surgery I have ever had, and I remember my anxiety beforehand, but the relief I felt afterward (several months of random, extreme pain and not being able to eat much beyond tuna fish and water--and I hate tuna fish) made everything worth it. I know you said you had polyps rather than stones, so you may not have felt the knife-through-the-abdomen pains, but this surgery is not so bad, nor is life afterward.
Yeah, this one seems to be a cakewalk nowadays :thumbup: My dad (65) just has his gallbladder yoinked not too long ago. He was up and out the next day and feelin pretty good. Of course that didn't stop him from acting like a suck, sitting around all day playing video games and throwing peanuts at us if we were too slow getting him some more ginger-ale.
Gods be with you and hope ya have a swift recovery!
Katie had hers out, some type of surgery with the small holes that quickly heal. We stayed away from hot or fatty foods for a while and slowly worked them back into the diet. There are a number of bean recipes you can go with to still get your protein. She seems pretty good now, but says that really greasy foods can get her sick to her stomach (though one could argue that would make anyone sick to their stomach).
My wife got her's out about 9 years ago. She had the laproscopic sugery and they gave her a new belly button just above the old one.
I'm only going to give you Karma if you make it out alive Scott, but you shouldn't have any problems and will be back to work in a week or so.
My sister and father-in-law both had this done, aside from a recovery period of about a week or so it had no big effect on them. You will come through this fine, and just to make sure I'll say a prayer for you each day till you have fully recovered my friend.
Thanks again Derf.
Would also like to thank Andrew, Trek Geezer, Dennis, and Khaz for their imput.
Good luck. I still have all my internal organs, including tonsils.
My grandfather had his stomach out in the 1950s? or earlier and lived until 1979 when he was 65. Ate salty & hot foods, smoked and drank. Took the second heart attack to kill him.
Amazing what the body can live without.
Anyone give me some actually info on recovery times related to lifting and running after this surgery? Doctor gave me 4 weeks off work and said it won't completely heal for a year.
Basically they are giving me 3 hernia's to take out these 2 polyps. They just take the whole gallbladder out when they find polyps in it because they might be cancerous at 1 cm and more. If they aren't cancerous they said they can morph into cancer. Other than that they could grow and block the gallbladder, but they also say that if they are over 1 cm then they are cancerous.
Thanks Raj...................It's a bit difficult for me because I'm not feeling sick. It's more of a preventative measure. I'm probably in the best physical shape since I was 19 and I'm 43 now, so this is a setback as far as being in shape goes. The idea for taking out the gallbladder I guess is for the long term health.
For my dad (who was in the same boat as you) it was no lifting ANYTHING for 1 week. After that it was light lifting (no more than 25 lbs) and no strenuous activities (including sex) for a month. After those 5 weeks it really depends on how fast you heal, his doc had him come in for a physical and a test to see what he could do and where he was in recovery time. So I THINK basically its don't do anything for a week, take it easy for a month, and watch it for 6 months after. oh and as for running, the doc told my dad NO! for at least 2 months, but walking was good. Running bounces yer innards around too much i guess and can lead to swelling and pain.
The time frame Khaz listed sounds about like what I experienced. Basically, one week of rest and taking it really easy, one month of no strenuous activity, and start to slowly build back up from there. I had an office job at the time (no lifting, lots of sitting), so I was able to go back for half days after about three or four days of rest and then for full days the next week. If you are in pretty good shape now, you will likely heal fairly quickly, but don't push things too hard. As I said earlier, this surgery seems deceptively easy, but it is still a major operation, so give yourself the time you need to heal up properly. If you do, you probably won't feel any different at all without your gallbladder. If you push it, you are likely to cause further complications that will involve longer healing times. You can stay in shape with walking for a couple of months or so; it won't give you the cardio workout of running, but you won't get too flabby, either.
Thanks for the good advice. It sounds close to what I've been hearing here at home. My job involves ocassional running, climbing up stairs quickly, and in very rare moments the lifting of something heavy. For the most part it's nothing hard, but once in a blue moon you need to perform by moving quick and sometimes lifting things. I'll take at least two weeks off and check in with the doctor to see if I can get back to work early. Having said that I have no real idea what this is going to be like other than what people have been telling me. I really want to heal properly, so I can get back to my routine.
Thanks again guys for your imput.
Good luck, Scott. The hospital visit will make a good episode of your video series.
Is the gall bladder one of those organs they'll put in a pickle jar and let you take home?
Just asking...
You know I actually thought about doing a hospital vignette for the show, but have had second thoughts.
It's things like this that I suppose brings to mind our mortality and this is one of many ways God brings mankind back closer to Himself. Though mine is suppose to be an easier surgery I still don't like having holes poked in me and I want to show my respect towards God. Actually humor before and after would place the value of this world in it's true light. Meaning that it's not to be valued that much. Not to cling to the finite, but rather moving towards the infinite is the true goal.
Might have someone take a few pictures at the hospital, but that may be about it. If God allows me a few moments of laughter after the surgery maybe I'll do a short clip for you all. I don't believe God would disapprove.
It would make for some fun video Raffine. I've always been a very non traditional religious person, but I had an unusual religious experience about 3 months ago. Let me see if I'm feeling inclined to make a video on that day. :smile:
I'm not worth much and when they take me home from the hospital I hope they don't decide to bring the gallbladder home instead of me.
Thanks Raffine. :thumbup:
Scott, here's wishing you a safe surgery, a speedy recovery and a quick return to normal life (and these boards).
A girl I went out with had to have emergency gall bladder removal surgery over the July 4th holiday. It was inflamed, IIRC, and she had been have problems from it off and on. Fromwhat she described she had a surgery similar to the one you're having: insert tubes and burn away part of the organ.
She was out of work for just under a week, came back on half days for a few days, and was back on full days the next week. Not entirely her choice, she had used up a lot of time off she could have used with an unrelated surgery earlier in the year. Office job, no real heavy lifting involved. She said she was very sore and didn't want to laugh since it hurt, also some itching from the stitches. She did complain of some swelling in the abdomen afterwards (said she looked pregnant, but she was already a little heavy, just not pregnant looking). As far as I know the only regular exercise she did before hand was walking several miles a few times a week, not sure when she got back to it. The swelling did go down and she looks like before.
Can't say anything on the eating front with her since she's a very picky eater to begin with, very odd diet, few vegetables ever among other things.
Again, good luck and looking forward to your return with a report of a clean bill of health and feeling fine.
Thanks for the additional info Yaddo. The more I talk about it here in my area the more I realize it's a very common thing. I'm actually surprised at how many people have had surgery both on this forum and where I live.
I want to Thank Raffine again for his last post. Didn't mean to lay it on so heavy here on this forum. It's just what I've been thinking about. Most of us here are here to have some good fun, learn some things, and past some time. You have all been great to me for responding to this personal life event. Thanks to all and I mean that sincerely.
My thoughts and prayers are with you tomorrow, and have a speedy recovery.
That Surburban Sasquatch roaming your neighborhood isn't going to find itself.
Well I'm back from gallbladder surgery. They kept me in the hospital for 24 hours due to blood from cutting the liver a bit. They had to do blood counts throughout the night. The hardest part was a the first 3 hours after surgery and the gas they put into your abdomen is trapped inside and it's trying to get out, but they have pain medicine to take the edge off the pain. Very difficult to turn in bed, was dehydrated, and didn't get to eat much for 24 hours. Made a small video for you who were interested.
[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=A5ADOa9Jdm4
Thanks for your prayers and kind thoughts.
Good to know you're doing well, and glad to have you back Scott! Glad everything went well. :thumbup:
Hey, Scott's alive! Good to go!
Thanks guys. :thumbup: :smile:
Now is a time to show my search for Bigfoot video again. Now......Pull the string ! ! ! .....Pull the string ! ! !
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDAWnvkpYsU
Welcome back!
Here's something for the liver:
(http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t214/morrisawilliams/Get_Well_Soon_Bear.jpg)
Good to know you're doing okay, Scott!
Yay, glad to know you've come through alright. I hope your not in too much pain, and are healing nicely.
So they pump gas into your abdomen, why? What kind? Is it inert gas for use with the laser somehow, or is it for some other purpose? And do you have to pass the stuff naturally?
Sorry if this is too nosy, just curious how all this works. Didn't get to find out about this part from the girl I know, we had stopped talking much after her surgery for various unimportant reasons.
I KNEW you'd be fine! :wink:
The gas gives 'em room to work, I'd guess.
Thanks for the video! :thumbup: :smile:
QuoteAnd do you have to pass the stuff naturally?
I guess it gives you something to blame other than the dog, for a while at least. :smile:
Glad to hear you're OK, Scott: good wishes. :smile:
As Raffine said, I think you should blame the dog for the gas, :teddyr:
Quote from: Yaddo 42 on October 24, 2007, 10:21:50 PM
Yay, glad to know you've come through alright. I hope your not in too much pain, and are healing nicely.
So they pump gas into your abdomen, why? What kind? Is it inert gas for use with the laser somehow, or is it for some other purpose? And do you have to pass the stuff naturally?
They gave me a pain medication that I'm using occasionally and in half doses as the abdominal pain from the incisions is still with me.
They use the CO gas to lift the abdominal wall away from the organs so they can work the instruments. The CO gas they put in your abdomen escapes slowly out of your skin I suppose. That type of pain is gone now. It gets trapped in there and moved around causing lots of discomfort. Gas pain Lasted about 3-6 hours after the surgery. Can't remember exactly how long. Morphine.
Speaking of the other type of gas it took me 2 1/2 days for a bowel movement. A little prune juice helped me get started. :teddyr:
Glad to hear you made it out with no probs! :thumbup:
Slàinte mhòr agad!
Hope yer up and about soon!
Quote from: Scott on October 25, 2007, 08:13:51 AM
Speaking of the other type of gas it took me 2 1/2 days for a bowel movement. A little prune juice helped me get started. :teddyr:
TMI, Scott. TMI! :buggedout:
Hey Scott! Glad to see you're still breathing! I know about the constipation problems and gas, try being severely hypothyroid sometime.
(http://www.websmileys.com/sm/obscene/eck28.gif)
By the way, enjoy the karma point I gave you as a welcome back!
Quote from: Andrew on October 25, 2007, 08:38:32 AM
Quote from: Scott on October 25, 2007, 08:13:51 AM
Speaking of the other type of gas it took me 2 1/2 days for a bowel movement. A little prune juice helped me get started. :teddyr:
TMI, Scott. TMI! :buggedout:
Just wanted to share. :smile:
Quote from: trekgeezer on October 25, 2007, 09:21:54 AM
Hey Scott! Glad to see you're still breathing! I know about the constipation problems and gas, try being severely hypothyroid sometime.
(http://www.websmileys.com/sm/obscene/eck28.gif)
By the way, enjoy the karma point I gave you as a welcome back!
Was looking for that Karma point you promised Trek Geezer........................Figured you were waiting for the BM report. :teddyr:
By the by, the video was brilliant. :thumbup:
It was dramatic, suspenseful, and finally, inspirational.
And a little skin for the ladies...
Quote from: Scott on October 24, 2007, 07:46:35 PM
Thanks guys. :thumbup: :smile:
Now is a time to show my search for Bigfoot video again. Now......Pull the string ! ! ! .....Pull the string ! ! !
Nice shot of the washing machine...does Bigfoot wander nearby??? Sounds like leadfoot...
Welcome back! So, whatever happened to the actual organ? Can we expect a movie called THEY SAVED SCOTT'S GALLBLADDER soon?
He's alive! Yay!
So who won the betting pool on if he'd survive or not? Um...was I not supposed to mention that? :buggedout:
Seriously, glad to see you're doing good, Scott. :thumbup:
Glad to see you're doing well.
A very good friend of mine just had her gallbladder taken out a few months ago. I waited a good ten minutes after her surgery to start making jokes, i.e.:
"You've got some gall! Oh wait, no you don't."
I'm not sure about bedside manner, but I think she appreciated it.
My advice, the scar was due to some sort of attack, maybe zombie related. Doesn't matter if it's true, it's a real good story.
Quote from: Raffine on October 25, 2007, 04:56:04 PM
By the by, the video was brilliant. :thumbup:
It was dramatic, suspenseful, and finally, inspirational.
And a little skin for the ladies...
It always improves the ratings. :smile:
Quote from: Shadow on October 26, 2007, 12:14:49 AM
He's alive! Yay!
So who won the betting pool on if he'd survive or not? Um...was I not supposed to mention that? :buggedout:
Seriously, glad to see you're doing good, Scott. :thumbup:
[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=VKAb6JxPe5U
Quote from: Rev. Powell on October 25, 2007, 08:03:08 PM
Welcome back! So, whatever happened to the actual organ? Can we expect a movie called THEY SAVED SCOTT'S GALLBLADDER soon?
Recieved an early gallbladder report today. Not only polyps, but they found that I had chronic inflamation of the gallbladder from 5 gallbladder stones. :buggedout:
I wonder if a film about gallbladders could be done?
[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=GovCCbXJk3U
Quote from: Mofo Rising on October 26, 2007, 03:22:51 AM
Glad to see you're doing well.
A very good friend of mine just had her gallbladder taken out a few months ago. I waited a good ten minutes after her surgery to start making jokes, i.e.:
When I first got up to walk I stayed up for a long while with my IV and hospital gown on in the hallway doing laps. A student nurse said to me "What? You got ants in your pants" and I said "I have ants, but I don't have any pants".
Quote from: Allhallowsday on October 25, 2007, 06:56:59 PM
Quote from: Scott on October 24, 2007, 07:46:35 PM
Thanks guys. :thumbup: :smile:
Now is a time to show my search for Bigfoot video again. Now......Pull the string ! ! ! .....Pull the string ! ! !
Nice shot of the washing machine...does Bigfoot wander nearby??? Sounds like leadfoot...
It was one of my finer filmmaking moments. :thumbup:
There may be more films coming from my studios. We're working around the clock to bring you the very best.