gallbladder surgery, how long to recover?

[our little treasures]

A few may remember that I have had gallstone attacks since being preggars with my ds now 1!! Finally I have gone to the surgeon to see what I can do as the pain is so bad and lasts for 18hrs now.. Well I have been put on waiting list which he thinks will be 4mnths at least.. I am kinda glad coz I don't want to have it.. However I have realised I cannot function as a mummy when I am doubled over in pain.. The thing is I am scared and don't know what I am in for (pain wise). He has said to hubby to take a week off to be with the kids and I..

Has anyone had this oppereation was there complications how was it AFTER surgery with regards to eating etc... I know I have to do it as apparently it will get worse with baby number 3.. I have been told that they don't even understand why the stones form.. I get attack every month at the time my AF is due and only when preggars. If you got attacks when did you find you had them??

[Reidymac]

[COLOR="Orange"
Has anyone had this oppereation was there complications how was it AFTER surgery with regards to eating etc... I know I have to do it as apparently it will get worse with baby number 3.. I have been told that they don't even understand why the stones form.. I get attack every month at the time my AF is due and only when preggars. If you got attacks when did you find you had them??
[/COLOR]

Hi Angelbaby. I'm sorry to hear you have been suffering. I had the surgery 6mths after the birth of my 1st baby. I understand how difficult it can be. I had almost constant attacks that would last for 6 - 20 hours and then flair the next day. Every breast feed was an excercise in torture. I was fortunate? or unfortunate? enough to have been rushed to hospital in accute attack and had surgery the next day. The good new is that I felt immediatly better after the surgery. Surgery was keyhole and without complications. The wound sights were a little tender for about a fortnight especial the main incision over the diaphram. And lifting baby was a little uncomfortable but there have been no ongoing issues. I wished it hadn't taken us so long to figure out what the problem was and have the surgery sooner. All the best with your surgery. hope you feel better very soon. :)

[our little treasures]

After I had ds I had attacks all the time which is when I discovered them, after 6 nights doubled over in agony I went and finally got told what it was.. My gp and obs said I was ahving muscle spasms, and the vomiting was from me being scared I was miscarrying??!! So I was relieved when someone took me seriously..

When ds turned 4mnths the attacks stopped and I was told they have dissolved but they came back:banghead: ... The pain is so severe and I just kept being sick... Did your hubby have time off and how did you find breast feeding as I am still breastfeeding my lil man and I won't be weaning him..

Thanks

[Reidymac]

... Did your hubby have time off and how did you find breast feeding as I am still breastfeeding my lil man and I won't be weaning him..
Thanks

Yes, Huby took time off work to help. If I remember correctly things like lifting baby, bending and bathing the baby were hard in the first week. My DD was 6 mnths and loved to kick me in the chest when having a nappy change (that would send me through the roof in pain). I think they reccommend you avoid these things for the first two weeks to ensure you dont herniate the wound sites. It was good having time to rest and recover I had been so very sick for the full pregnancy because of this and a range of other complications, then had had constant galbladder attacks after the birth and a new baby.......... so I was pretty worn out. In compariison to before the surgery I was weak but felt a millon bucks within a day.

As for breast feeding - I keept feeing right up to and after the surgery (and then for another year). I think I had to express and chuck out the milk produced within 12 hours of having the general anistetic. But the hospital sent in a lactation consultant and gave me an electric pump and stuff to help. The actual act of resting a feeding baby against my body was OK but a bit painful. Using a pillow to hold babys weight and keep her at the right height helped alot. I was very lucky, it was a quick responce surgery in the public hospital but they couldn't have been more helpful and did everything possible to make sure I could keep baby with me (for attachment and BF reasons) while still getting time to recover. I hope your experience is as good.

Sorry about the long post. feel free to PM me anytime. I am happy to be of assistance if I can. All the best Reidy
:wave:

[shanz]

Hi, I had my gall bladder removed when my DS was 4 weeks old:eek: I had one bad attack,ended up in hospital and they kept me in til they could do the op. DS stayed with me and i fed him until i had the surgery, then fed him as soon as he needed a feed after as i was told by the anethetist to discard but the midwives(cos i had Blake with me i stayed in maternity)said the anethetist will recommend that but they tell you to feed your baby if you have to have a ceasar and are given a general. They asked the on call doctor and he backed them up. so i fed him a few hours after and apart from being slightly uncomfy it was pretty good. i was in the shower within an hour of getting back up to the ward. I had the op at 4pm friday and went home went home 11 am sat. Hubby had the week off work and for that week he pretty much done everything although i felt i could have done a bit he was adamant i rested. so i didnt argue. Good luck