Gallstones/gallbladder surgery

[Cindy]

Hi all,
I was hoping to get some information from wise folks!

I had to rush my husband to the ER Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with horrible stomach pains. After a bunch of tests, it was determined that he has gallstones and the beginning of an infection. The ER doctor wanted us to follow up with a surgeon, and we were able to see that doctor yesterday afternoon. He suggested having the surgery so this doesn't occur again. He mentioned that once you get gallstones, the gallbladder does not work right again.

Hubby is scheduled for surgery next Friday afternoon. He seems to be handling things well (he's a little worried about the anesthesia-first time), but I am nervous wreck. I feel like my world is crumbling around me...

He's only 27 (I'm 28), and we have been together over 12 years. He's the only thing I know and have known...

We live in Baltimore, and all of our family lives 4+ hours away, so I will be by myself next week. I am so scared, but I also want to learn as much as I can about his situation so I can help him the best I can. He is still working (he's an engineer), so I'm sitting here worrying my head off!

[Cpogie]

This is a relatively common operation, my husbands uncle just had this done about 2 months ago. He was in the hospital one day and went home, he was not in any pain, he did have 3 small incisions that were about 1 1/2". He said the operation was a breeze!
Look it up on the internet too, go to www.google.com and type in gall bladder surgery, you will find an abundance of infornation.
I will be praying for him and you!! HUGS!!

[mood4amelody]

Sorry, sweetie, I have no information whatsoever, but I'll say prayers for you. I think there was a thread that mentioned gallstones and treatments and such. Anyone remember where that was at??

Don't worry. Doctors do so many of these kinds of surgeries that they are relatively simple for them. Miraculous modern medicine and all that. :o

HUGS!! Don't worry, you both will do just fine!

[prncss99]

Coincidently I just had that surgery done..

It will hurt a bit when he done fr a couple days .. at the muscles at his incisions points. There is 4 total..Three that are barely an inch and they heal pretty fast located middle of ab and two of them to the right and the last one is at belly button about 1-2 inches if that.. they will leave a scar that fades more and more with time. Make sure for the first couple of days he does not sit up from laying position. Roll to side and sit up side ways using arms. it hurts to tear anything inside from getting up wrong at first. It is a 45-60 minute procedure with about an hour recovery time after. He will not be able to eat 12-18hrs before hand and WILL be able to eat whatever he wants after (providing anesia doesnt follow with nausia .. which happened to me and I just didnt have appetite for a day or two) no biggie. He will be home same day .. it concidered and outpatient surgery. It is scary and I understand that ... I will not try to tell you otherwise cause when you love someone it a scary thing to have them go under .. my soon to be DH was nervious but he didnt tell me till it was over so I could be stronger. I will recommend you try to do that for him if you can. Knowing that the one you love most is not scared and knows you will be ok makes your own confidence go up for this procedure. I again will say it is a simple one and really the only thing that is scary is the anesia.. but there is someone in the room with him the whole time it will be andminstered to him.

Bring a few magazines or a book or a good friend for the waiting time and just know it will be ok and he will need you for a few days after to help him get up right and try not to have him up for 48 hours unless to potty. OH and that reminds me .. sometimes after this surgery you will have to potty ALOT and frequently ( my soon to be DH had this done and that his reaction) like 30 min after eat .. another thing that could happen is you cant go for 24 hours or better ( like me and it was almost three days :( ) so have some kind stool softener available JUST IN CASE.. cause that will help him.

If you know what food triggered his attack then avoid it until after the surgery

Keep your head up and pray not only for him but yourself for strength

Oh and by the way I am 29 and just had it done DH was 22 at time and his sister was 20.. it can happena t any age and really the younger you are the better you will recover.

I hope you will take my advise and feel abit better .. please feel free to talk to me anytime during this in PM if you want and I can help you .. as I said before I just had it done.. March 6th ..

DaRyl

[Cindy]

Thank you all for the kind words. I really appreciate the thoughts and prayers, which I can use all you can muster!

I just got off the phone with a lady from the hospital, and she informed me the surgery would be about 90 minutes, recovery room is 60 minutes, and another 60 minutes for a 'lounge recovery'.

I have been spending a lot of time crying..I would NEVER do it in front of him though. I feel like I'm falling apart here...

Thank you all again. DaRyl-I got your PM, thank you so much! I may take you up on the offer to talk soon.

-Cindy

[prncss99]

ANY TIME Cindy .. I can talk to you about this and it is very fresh in my mind .. and I do my best to make you feel better. Try to remember it a very common problem and a common procedure these days and the doc that will be working on the hubby this is AL he does is this surgery.. it will all be ok and come out for you and him .. positive thoughts

[Cindy]

I got a phone call from the surgeon's office today-DH is now having the surgery at 800am Friday instead of 115pm. There were a lot of cancellations at the hospital, so everyone is getting bumped up. We now have to be there between 600-615am. Unfortunately, I will be by myself. His parents are dealing with a much worse situation with my grandfather-in-law, and my parents are unable to come down.

I am still not handling this well at all-I'm still spending most of my time alone crying. I can't even begin to express my sincere thanks for the good thoughts and prayers that you have given to me and my family. I'm so new to the boards, but you all made me feel welcome-I really appreciate the kindness-thank you all and God Bless.

[ALawicki]

I hope everything goes ok for him. They thought that is what I had cause I get really bad pains, but my doctor is dumb and doesn't do all the tests I need. I know someone who had it and everything went fine and they are much better now. He should be perfectly fine.:)

[danajc83]

I got a phone call from the surgeon's office today-DH is now having the surgery at 800am Friday instead of 115pm. There were a lot of cancellations at the hospital, so everyone is getting bumped up. We now have to be there between 600-615am. Unfortunately, I will be by myself. His parents are dealing with a much worse situation with my grandfather-in-law, and my parents are unable to come down.

I am still not handling this well at all-I'm still spending most of my time alone crying. I can't even begin to express my sincere thanks for the good thoughts and prayers that you have given to me and my family. I'm so new to the boards, but you all made me feel welcome-I really appreciate the kindness-thank you all and God Bless.
Both my sisters had this operation and my sil had this done. they were in for one day and was lifting things again in about 2 weeks. He will feel tons better once he gets this done and behind him and everything will be okay! I will definitely keep you and him in my prayers!

[momsangel]

Praying that it goes quickly for both of you and things will be back to normal soon...
Hugs to you, it will all be alright,just have faith!:)

[bunny]

I got a phone call from the surgeon's office today-DH is now having the surgery at 800am Friday instead of 115pm. There were a lot of cancellations at the hospital, so everyone is getting bumped up. We now have to be there between 600-615am. Unfortunately, I will be by myself. His parents are dealing with a much worse situation with my grandfather-in-law, and my parents are unable to come down.

I am still not handling this well at all-I'm still spending most of my time alone crying. I can't even begin to express my sincere thanks for the good thoughts and prayers that you have given to me and my family. I'm so new to the boards, but you all made me feel welcome-I really appreciate the kindness-thank you all and God Bless.

I will keep all of you in my thoughts don't worry about the crying thats normal god knows we all do it. everything will work out . keep us informed please. good luck . remember you are stronger than you think.God won,t give you more than you can handle.(((hugs)))

[MandMnmbr3]

Cindy, I just saw this thread and wanted to reply. Sent up prayers for your hubby. I hope his surgery went well and he is home recovering.

Hugs,
Mae

[momsangel]

Let us know how it goes for you both

Thinking of you both!!

[Cindy]

Thank you again so much-I am just amazed at the outpouring of prayers and support.

I'm not sure when I will be back on, but it will be as soon as possible..gotta keep up with my freebies ;)

[Cindy]

I made it back here a lot quicker than I thought. We are home, and things are rough going, but ok. His surgery only lasted 45 minutes-arrived at
600am, surgery at 800am, and we were home by 1115am. He's in a lot of pain, which is really hard to see...I still haven't cried in front of him yet though.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

[Cpogie]

I made it back here a lot quicker than I thought. We are home, and things are rough going, but ok. His surgery only lasted 45 minutes-arrived at
600am, surgery at 800am, and we were home by 1115am. He's in a lot of pain, which is really hard to see...I still haven't cried in front of him yet though.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

Now you can relax hun, it is over and DH will heal in a matter of days. The pain will go away, can you imagine a man having a baby? talk about pain...thanks for updating us, I'm so glad for you that it is over. You can tell him he had a lot of women praying for him. ;)

[prncss99]

YAY.. so glad that part is over for you .. and for him .. now he will need your help for a few day for sure cause getting up will be rough for him .. and hard on an ego as well but try to keep him down for at least 48 hours. I am so glad that the hardest part is over . He iwll be fine and so will you .. he will be out of it all day today and a bit tomorrow tho so be ready for that

Glad the prayers for you worked .. now take care that man .. lol and yourself talk to you in a few days

[momsangel]

Glad its over and he is doing well;) he'll be ok in a few days fom the pain and everything will go back to normal for you both.
You both are still in my thoughts and prayers!