BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Stomach Issues Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)

Ok, I am picking this forum as I do not know a better one and I DID do a search---

I found out I had a 2 and 1/2 inch gallstone before Thanksgiving. Admittedly, I had been having gallbladder issues(ya think?) I was told that a stone that big was not going to be removed by anything less than full gallbladder removal. I had never had surgery(well, tonsil removal at 4 years)and was NOT thrilled at the prospect(not that anyone would be).

I had it done on Monday(1/12/2009) spent the night where I was awakened literally every two hours by someone doing something and Not always too me...Every RN(there were 4)told me something else I was supposed to be doing and took umbrage with the fact I was not doing whatever it was...Now I will follow directions IF I have some...The final nurse actually told me that I was lucky to not have had what she had(cut open from stem to stern 25 years ago for her gallbladder surgery) and to quit complaining--I was not complaining she asked me my pain level and I had the nerve to say 2 on a scale of 10 the morning after surgery..heavy sigh..

I am now back home and virtually pain free EXCEPT when I am getting in and out of bed. I have not taken anything for pain today and am feeling some twinges that I Will be taking ibuprofen for before retiring...

Trust me I do NOT plan on volunteering for anything else any time EVER!

Hi Roni, and welcome to the BellaOnline Stomach Issues forum! I'm Shay, the Stomach Issues Site Editor.

I'm very sorry to read about your hospital experience after your gallbladder surgery! The treatment you received by the nurses sounds awful and uncalled for.

I'm glad to know that you are feeling better now that you are home, though, and are relatively pain free.

Did your surgeon send you home with any specific post surgery instructions?

Shay

Gall bladder would definitely fall under stomach issues, so you are in the right place!

It sounds like you had a horrible post-surgical experience, but from the size of the stone, there was probably not much choice other than surgery.

If you do have to have any other surgery again, always check with your insurance about the possibilities of a private room. I honestly haven't been in many hospitals that have shared rooms any more (maybe I've just been lucky). Having somebody stay with you to be your "enforcer" is always a helpful thing. That way they can step up when the nurses are being overbearing and say, "she really needs some rest". Moms and husbands are both great enforcers!

Hopefully now that you are home and can get some real rest, you will begin to notice that having a sick gallbladder out rally is a wonderful thing.

Remember to stay away from very fatty foods and fried foods - the gallbladder is what helps break down fats in the digestive system. Now that you don't have it, you will get sick to your stomach if you eat things that are very fatty (especially the fried foods).

Some people do fine eating fatty foods after gall bladder surgery and others do not. You will not know unless you try. If it is not right for you your stomach will tell you so. For those who do have problems do a search on the net for bile salts that can be taken with meals. You really need your healthy fats and bile salts may be the answer for you.