Follow Up On My Earlier Gallbladder Thread

[Cdog]

First let's get my thanks and condolence's out to those that have suffered through this pain and all that helped to advise me in my first thread.

Somehow I feel more among friends here than anywhere else on the interwebs, so ya'll are getting the good news.

I had been scheduled for surgery, (removal) January 26th, but 3 incredibly painful attacks in 2 days and jaundice from a 6mm stone in my bile duct hospitalized me suddenly this past Thursday. A procedure commonly referred to as an ERCP successfully removed the 6mm offender Friday and I was released for the weekend.

In fear that another stone may journey into the same area before next week it also moved my gallbladder surgery up a week to this morning. It was a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and only required 4 small incisions. I was in at 7:45 am and on my way home by noon.

Other than feeling like I've taken a small punch to the gut I feel amazingly well. In my lifetime alone, medical technology has come light years.

Thanks to any and all of you all for taking the time to read this. It has nothing to do with the shooting sports, but it's been an adventure!

Chris

 

[Bob R]

Take it easy, avoid fatty foods and pretty soon this should be a dim memory.

bob

 

[islamoradamark]

you will be feeling as good as new and eating all the stuff you could not before i can hardly see my small incisions . life is good when they take the bad out

 

[brucev]

Surgery is no fun. Pray you will have a quick and full recovery. Sincerely. brucev.

 

[oneflycowboy]

I feel your pain (literally). I have been suffering with Pancreatitis. I'm going in for a EDG endoscopy this Thursday.

Been on a liquid diet for the past few days. Food makes the pain worse.

Stomach pain is horrible. You can eat, sleep or do anything without being uncomfortable.

 

[Frizzman]

In March of 2000, I started to have severe abdominal pain on a Friday evening after a steak dinner at home. Wound up at an ER all night and the moron MD misdiagnosed it and sent me home the next morning. By Saturday afternoon, I had a fever and vomiting. We returned to the ER and the older doc took one look asked a couple questions and diagnosed it and told me I needed surgery asap. My temp was 103 and IV morphine did not control the pain. I didn't go to the OR until about 8am Sunday morning because a multi-vehicle crash took the two on-duty surgeons.

By the time I went into surgery, the gallbladder had burst and was septic. I wound up with a ten inch incision after six hours on the table...It took about six months to fully recover.

So, if your's was diagnosed properly and laparoscopic surgery was employed, you should feel fortunate. I have been shot, stabbed, burned and had broken bones but that gallbladder pain was by far the worst!...You should have an easy recovery and never have to worry about it again...I wish you a short convalescence.

 

[Cdog]

Thanks Guys.

Frizzman, OneFlyCowboy, I knew from the beginning that I was sicker and progressively getting worse than the pace I was being scheduled at. Any food or even tap water could send me into an attack.

One Fly, I'm told pancreatitis is a very bad thing. I was warned of a slight risk of it developing. I hope you the very best. Please keep up updated as you can.

Frizzman, your experiences help folks like me keep things in perspective.

The life experiences and knowledge shared here at S&W is invaluable to me..

 

[vigil617]

Bet you never thought something that sounds as bad as "laproscopic cholecystectomy" could make you feel so much better!

Glad you're on the mend. It's galling to have gall stones.

 

[luangtom]

You, sir, were fortunate. My "simple" laprascopic surgery turned into a ten-inch incision due to the gall-bladder adhering to surrounding organs. Mine was beginning to burst and was leaking bile. I was fortunate, too.

It was some of the worst pain that I have experienced and that includes kidney-stones five times. We get lucky, now and again.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I am glad you are doing well. You are spot on about medical advancements. My mom had hers out in '74 and carries an 18" serpentine scar. My wife had hers out in '05 and I can barely see where they went in.

As stated above, they both cut back on fatty foods and never looked back.

Don't lift any engine blocks for a while.

 

[carpriver]

I had mind out in 2003, but I had carpal tunnel done at the same time. My gut felt better but my hand hurt like hell for several days. Have a quick recovery.

 

[rwsmith]

Hope nothing but the best...

My GB caused some very severe complications. A couple hours in the hospital with three teeny holes poked in me and it was gone, no problem. I hope you recover as well as I did or better if possible.

PS I almost lost my kidneys in renal failure.

 

[J. Galt]

I lost my gallbladder in 1980. You won't miss it!

 

[Rpg]

Over thanksgiving, Christmas and new year 1998-99 I spent 76 days in the hospital because mine went south causing a bunch if other stuff. Got the 10" version of the surgery.

Congratulations on getting it fixed quick! Nothing to mess around with.

I can eat anything without issue now.

 

[Cdog]

I'm sore this morning, but otherwise I feel good.

You're all great. I've said this before and I'll say it again,

"There's more knowledge, respect and life experience here at S&W than anywhere else I'm aware of." Thanks To All!