Gallbladder removed Monday - back home now!

[ChadFL]

Well I've known my gallbladder needed removed for sure since an ultrasound detected in about two weeks ago. Unfortunately the soonest I could get a scheduled procedure done (barring emergency) was mid-August. I'd had a few gallstone attacks in recent month, but nothing TOO unbearable. But last Saturday afternoon I had a KILLER gallstone attack. Worst pain in my life (like being knifed in the abdomen) and was admitted for surgery Monday morning, which was successful. I was released this afternoon and feeling SO much better. They've come a long way with this surgery, just four very small incisions these days. I think I'm a little young for this having already at only 31.

[Blu-Dog]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Well I've known my gallbladder needed removed for sure since an ultrasound detected in about two weeks ago. Unfortunately the soonest I could get a scheduled procedure done (barring emergency) was mid-August. I'd had a few gallstone attacks in recent month, but nothing TOO unbearable. But last Saturday afternoon I had a KILLER gallstone attack. Worst pain in my life (like being knifed in the abdomen) and was admitted for surgery Monday morning, which was successful. I was released this afternoon and feeling SO much better. They've come a long way with this surgery, just four very small incisions these days. I think I'm a little young for this having already at only 31.

Both my Mom and my sons have had this done - and the boys were 29 and 26 years old at the time. Crazy stuff. It's no big deal once it's over, thank goodness.

Glad you got it done, it'll be fine, and it's over.

[filmnut5]

Hang in there Chad. You'll be fine in no time. Take it easy and watch sports.

[Clark Kent]

Rest up and get better.

[crazyBLUE]

Hope you have a speedy recovery Chad

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Blu-Dog

Both my Mom and my sons have had this done - and the boys were 29 and 26 years old at the time. Crazy stuff. It's no big deal once it's over, thank goodness.

Glad you got it done, it'll be fine, and it's over.

Thanks for the kind wishes everyone. I think there might be some heredity to it. My mom, uncle and both my grandparents all had their gall bladders removes. Seems like if it occurs within a family just about everyone has it. I'm only thankfully it's so minimally invasive nowadays. Most of my family members who had it decades ago ended up with big scars from the incision. Now it can be done with 4 very tiny incisions.

Originally Posted by filmnut5

Hang in there Chad. You'll be fine in no time. Take it easy and watch sports.

Thanks Filmnut and the Olympics helped me survive the tedious nearly 4 days in the hospital. It was literally the only thing on TV to keep my mind occupied. I'm also thankful that unlike so many in my country I actually have very good quality insurance through my employer that should only top me out at around $1,500 out of pocket tops.

[filmnut5]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Thanks for the kind wishes everyone. I think there might be some heredity to it. My mom, uncle and both my grandparents all had their gall bladders removes. Seems like if it occurs within a family just about everyone has it. I'm only thankfully it's so minimally invasive nowadays. Most of my family members who had it decades ago ended up with big scars from the incision. Now it can be done with 4 very tiny incisions.




Thanks Filmnut and the Olympics helped me survive the tedious nearly 4 days in the hospital. It was literally the only thing on TV to keep my mind occupied. I'm also thankful that unlike so many in my country I actually have very good quality insurance through my employer that should only top me out at around $1,500 out of pocket tops.

That's Awesome. Who needs the financial burden piled on top of an already stressfull situation...NOBODY. Glad to hear you're covered, for the most part. Man, our Countries are different when it comes to this stuff. Our taxes are higher but we don't worry about doctor or surgical expenses (MAJOR peace of mind).

Keep 'er cool bros. and get well.

[ScarredLungs]

Glad to hear the surgery went well. Hope you recovery quickly!

[West E]

get well soon.

[krazeyeyez]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Well I've known my gallbladder needed removed for sure since an ultrasound detected in about two weeks ago. Unfortunately the soonest I could get a scheduled procedure done (barring emergency) was mid-August. I'd had a few gallstone attacks in recent month, but nothing TOO unbearable. But last Saturday afternoon I had a KILLER gallstone attack. Worst pain in my life (like being knifed in the abdomen) and was admitted for surgery Monday morning, which was successful. I was released this afternoon and feeling SO much better. They've come a long way with this surgery, just four very small incisions these days. I think I'm a little young for this having already at only 31.

I had mine out when i was 21, after being sent home 2 times, the first time i was told i had food poisoning probably, and the second time the doctor was "convinced" i was going through withdrawls (only drug i have ever done does not have withdrawls ). Third trip i was accepted when i stressed "something is wrong with me, as i have NEVER felt the need to go to a hospital EVER before this point". Took the idiots almost a week to figure out my gallbladder had shut down. Worst healthcare experience ever and thank god i too had insurance. They did the micro surgery with the scope and i was out the next day.

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Well they sure did cut me off the bad foods cold turkey. Between Saturday morning and Monday afternoon when I had surgery I was allowed NOTHING to eat or drink. No solids or liquids, just an IV I was hooked up and these stupid "mouth swaps" to keep my lips from getting all dried out. It sucked big time. Even being allowed a liquid diet post-surgery seemed like heaven.

I actually asked for seconds on whatever test uses the white liquid... think its called barium, and if i remember correctly that was the test they finally figured out what the problem was. Good thing they didn't do something as invasive as an ultrasound like they did with you right

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by krazeyeyez

I had mine out when i was 21, after being sent home 2 times, the first time i was told i had food poisoning probably, and the second time the doctor was "convinced" i was going through withdrawls (only drug i have ever done does not have withdrawls ). Third trip i was accepted when i stressed "something is wrong with me, as i have NEVER felt the need to go to a hospital EVER before this point". Took the idiots almost a week to figure out my gallbladder had shut down. Worst healthcare experience ever and thank god i too had insurance. They did the micro surgery with the scope and i was out the next day.

I actually asked for seconds on whatever test uses the white liquid... think its called barium, and if i remember correctly that was the test they finally figured out what the problem was. Good thing they didn't do something as invasive as an ultrasound like they did with you right

Biggest problem at the hospital was that it took them until my 3rd day in the hospital to get me my antidepressants and anxiety medications. By that time I was suffering from withdrawals badly and my depression and anxiety problems hit full force, leaving me miserable to be around. It literally took me a good 3+ days back on the meds just to get back to sanity.

Unfortunately gallbladder problems take time to diagnose. I had the problems for a few months until my doctor finally sent me for an ultrasound and it was detected. Gallbladder symptoms are often mistaken for other issues it seems.

[IndyMLVC]

Congrats on catching it early and getting out so quickly! I'm 34 and almost a month ago, I had to call 911 because of an INTENSE pain in the center of my chest. Turns out I had gall stones and pancreatitis. I was in the hospital for 12 days. Still recovering.

I've had symptoms since 2004 and no one ever caught it. The pain is unbelievable when you have the stones...and is 10x worse when you get the pancreatitis.