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Anyone ever had this procedure done? I'm scheduled to go under the knife this Monday at 9 and am kinda nervous about the whole thing. My surgeon has explained the procedure pretty well, but I would like to have some first hand experience from someone. What kind of symptoms caused your doctor to recommend surgery? How long were you out of work/have a normal day? Any diet or lifestyle changes? What time was your surgery and how long did it take you to be discharged? Stitches or Staples and any pain in removal? Any pain in recovery at the hospital or while recovering at home? What kind of pain killers did they give you and how effective were they? Any complications or problems?
Anyone that can help is most appreciated. Kinda nervous about the whole procedure, but it should be fine.
MY05 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
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Hard-core CEG'er
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I had it done a few years ago. About 3 months before the scheduled surgery, I had gone out for Italian one night, and ended up in the ER from the pain. (Italian always seemed to make the pain worse) I ended up getting it removed that day. 169 small gall stones. Good stuff. The recovery wasn't really that bad. I was in on July 2, out on July 4. The breathing exercises hurt for the first day, but that's about it. Take it slow at first so you doon't tear any stitches, and you should be able to do some non-strenuous workout within a couple of weeks. Hell, I was floating in a pool 4 days after. (don't tell my doc!) BTW, if they give you the demerol (sp?) drip at the hospital, you'll enjoy it. I was having the time of my life. Then they sent me home with that vicadin crap. I love demerol. Good luck, and don't be nervous. ***as a side note, I was only 18 when I had this done. Combine that with being a male (gallstones much more prevalent in females), and my gall bladder behind a different lobe of my liver than the one where it is usually found, my surgeon definately labeled me a "unique case". Mama always said I was special. 
2000 Silver Frost SVT
# 1637/2150
D.O.B. 01/14/2000
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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I had surgery on my ankle at one time... at staples in it and when they pulled them out it just felt like someone was tugging at you leg hairs.
Steve
Steven. L. Benthal Jr.
98 Mystique: Meshed Grille & Pioneer Sound System
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CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
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Originally posted by t-red2000se:
I had it done a few years ago. About 3 months before the scheduled surgery, I had gone out for Italian one night, and ended up in the ER from the pain. (Italian always seemed to make the pain worse) I ended up getting it removed that day. 169 small gall stones. Good stuff.
The recovery wasn't really that bad. I was in on July 2, out on July 4. The breathing exercises hurt for the first day, but that's about it. Take it slow at first so you doon't tear any stitches, and you should be able to do some non-strenuous workout within a couple of weeks. Hell, I was floating in a pool 4 days after. (don't tell my doc!)
BTW, if they give you the demerol (sp?) drip at the hospital, you'll enjoy it. I was having the time of my life. Then they sent me home with that vicadin crap. I love demerol.
Good luck, and don't be nervous.
***as a side note, I was only 18 when I had this done. Combine that with being a male (gallstones much more prevalent in females), and my gall bladder behind a different lobe of my liver than the one where it is usually found, my surgeon definately labeled me a "unique case".
Mama always said I was special.
I haven't heard of many people with my symptoms so far. I'm not really having any pain, but about 2 months ago, I start having really bad nausea and vomiting in the morning (5-6AM). It started out as a white foamy substance, but quickly progressed into bile. I tried changing the way I slept, what I ate at night, everything with little to no effect. Put myself on some Prilosec OTC which worked for a week then stopped and my family doctor prescribed me some Phenagrin and Nexium. Phenagrin just made me sleepy and the Nexium seemed like nothing more than a placebo that had no effect. Went to a Gastrointestinal doctor and had an endoscopy done that was inconclusive. Went to a lab for some tests and my gallbladder wasn't filling properly. I haven't really had any pain other than when I'm vomiting.
I asked my surgeon and he said he hasn't seen very many cases such as mine, but he thinks it is my gall bladder just failing and not necessarily because of gall stones. I'm 21 and male as well. I'm a very picky eater as well so I'm kinda worried about the diet changes. I ate at my favorite lunch spot today cause I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to eat the food there again. 
MY05 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
World Rally Blue / Gold
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My wife had it done 8 years ago, shortly after the birth of our daughter. Initially it was no big deal for her, went home the next day. Of course, she's a freak of nature and had a auxiliary bile duct that the surgeon missed and she was sent home with bile leaking into her abdominal cavity. 2 days later I had her in the ER where they were astonished that the max dose they would give her of morphine wasn't touching her agony. They tried a couple of things without success and wound up opening her up to find the leak and clean out her abdominal cavity. 8 days later she finally went home.
The guy in the next curtain when I took her to the ER was funny though - he came in with a heart attack and kept coding. Between coding sessions he'd joke with his wife about who she should marry and his funeral arrangements. He was really funny, I hope he made it...
Don't worry though, like I said she's a freak. If the doctor says "this only happens to 1% of the population" she's sure to have it.
Scott
Troll! '99 BMW 328i
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Originally posted by Wthermans:
Anyone ever had this procedure done? I'm scheduled to go under the knife this Monday at 9 and am kinda nervous about the whole thing. My surgeon has explained the procedure pretty well, but I would like to have some first hand experience from someone. What kind of symptoms caused your doctor to recommend surgery? How long were you out of work/have a normal day? Any diet or lifestyle changes? What time was your surgery and how long did it take you to be discharged? Stitches or Staples and any pain in removal? Any pain in recovery at the hospital or while recovering at home? What kind of pain killers did they give you and how effective were they? Any complications or problems?
Anyone that can help is most appreciated. Kinda nervous about the whole procedure, but it should be fine.
Been there, done that.
Had it done at the Naval Hospital on Guam, they kept me overnight, due to policy. I could have walked out of there as soon as the dope wore off.
Expect some abdominal pain, mainly muscle soreness. They will use CO2 to "blow you up" it's used to move muscle away from the organs. The CO2 is what causes the discomfort.
I was out of work for ten days but could have been back much sooner.
They used tape on me to close up, I think they may have used a type of disolving stitches on my belly button, thats the largest incision and where they actually remove the gall bladder from.
I was given pain killers but they upset my stomach, I experienced no complications.
You'll be fine, don't worry, keep us posted.
If you have any other Q's shoot me a PM.
Mark
1999 Toreador Red SVT, DOB 4/22/99, 2005 Of 2760.
"Many posted questions are answered by farm boys"
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I've seen the operation first hand. It's relatively quick and easy. As the others said, a few days to recover. Healing time is minimal as well, too, since the openings will only be a few inches in maybe 2/3 places.
The only complications are of as stated, the stones traveling through the main duct. I'd expect some soreness for a few days, but no biggy. Best of luck, keep us posted.
99 Black Contour SE Sport
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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My mom had it done a few years back. She recovered quickly, it was a very minimal procedure. Relax, and enjoy the bedrest as best you can!
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