BERIGAN Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 That's what I keep telling myself! Don't really have a choice. Just about anything I eat causes trouble, heck a big glass of water can as well. I had some gall stones, took Actigall, which disolved them over time, but still had lots of stomach problems. So, had another test (HIDA scan) which checks gall bladder function. Well, mine doesn't for the most part. Something like 7% function, which impressed the surgeon I saw last week.(Most of the patients he see have 13 to 18% function.) I often impress for all the wrong reasons. So anyway, amazingly enough, I am scheduled to have the sucker ripped out tomorrow(Thru the belly button! ) Outpatient surgery. I have known 2 women that had the surgery, and they both had a fair number of complications, but both had infected gall bladders that had to come out NOW. Last week I have talked to 2 more women that told me it was more or less a piece of cake. They can eat mostly what they did before the surgery. So, there have to be a few here that have had them taken out, what was it like???? Thanks. Quote
Free For All Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 I know nothing about this procedure, but wish you a quick recovery and will send good vibes your way. Quote
catesta Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 No experience here either, but wish you the best. Quote
sheldonm Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 ....although I've not had my gall bladder removed, I have had two surgeries done by the same method you are describing and they were very quick with very little discomfort and quick recovery time....took tylenol afterwards. I guess the only drag is that the incision is on your stomach and you use those muscles a lot so a little discomfort but not bad. m!~ Quote
Joe G Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 You'll be back here stirring things up in no time! Best of luck - do whatever you can to relax yourself. Quote
jazzbo Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 No experience myself, wishing you all the very best. Quote
J Larsen Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 Sounds like a quick way to lose a little weight... Seriously, good luck. I had my first surgery a few months back. It sucked, but not quite as bad as I expected it to. Quote
Jazzmoose Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 Shoot. Now we'll all have to go back to our political forum posts and edit out those "Berigan, you've got a lot of gall" comments... Good luck with the procedure, dude! Quote
BERIGAN Posted February 16, 2006 Author Report Posted February 16, 2006 Shoot. Now we'll all have to go back to our political forum posts and edit out those "Berigan, you've got a lot of gall" comments... Good luck with the procedure, dude! Jazzmoose, Jazzmoose! Thanks for the kind words everyone! No one else had their out though? Quote
Soul Stream Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 I've had this done. Mine was taken out after a wrong diagnosis. Seems I just had nerves which were messing with my stomach, they wrongly thought it was my gallbladder and took it out. Still have the same stomach problems, but no gall bladder anymore. And that misdiagnosis was at a Mass General in Boston. They try and tell you that you won't notice a difference, however it throws your digestive track a curveball since any fats will then go straight into your intestines...you can figure the rest out.... Anyway, I guess if you really have gallstones and problems of that nature it would have to be done. Quote
marcello Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 Don't worry, I had mine out with the same procedure and no problems from the sugery or eating. Now if the Gall Bladder is diseased, to the extent that they can't do it arthroscopically, the procedure is done the old way; that is they take it out whole, making a large wound and cutting through muscle and other tissue. Good Luck! And yea, make sure your surgeon is a board ceritfied ace. Quote
catesta Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 And yea, make sure your surgeon is a board ceritfied ace. And the nurses are cute. Quote
sheldonm Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 And yea, make sure your surgeon is a board ceritfied ace. And the nurses are cute. ...when I went to have my appendix out, they are always asking you questions on the way to the operating room to make sure you know what's going on. I alway had these fears they would operate on the wrong thing and then the surgeon says to me right before I fall asleep....."this is a breast augmentation, correct ?" I just laughed and told them if they could get breast enlargements approved for a guy, by my insurance, go for it. I guess it didn't get approved because I didn't notice anything strange when I woke up! Quote
Quincy Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 I hope they wa®sh your belly button afterwards. You must have an "innie." Good luck. Hope it's like getting the tonsils out and they prescribe ice cream! Quote
GregK Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 my grandfather was supposed to have it done. he refused, and it eventually killed him. so go do it Quote
DTMX Posted February 16, 2006 Report Posted February 16, 2006 ....although I've not had my gall bladder removed, I have had two surgeries done by the same method you are describing and they were very quick with very little discomfort and quick recovery time....took tylenol afterwards. I guess the only drag is that the incision is on your stomach and you use those muscles a lot so a little discomfort but not bad. What sheldonm said. I had a hernia patched up outpatient-style a few years ago and I was fine. Puttered around for a week or so, had to c a r e f u l l y get in and out of bed (or a chair), but it wasn't too bad. Now daytime television - that's bad. I don't recommend more than 4 judge shows per day, and in the ATL Oprah comes on at 4PM, so make sure your TV is off. I'm sure you'll be up and posting in no time. But don't push it - you only get one chance to heal. Start with small, right-of-center topics before working your way up to more controversial issues. Keep your sense of humor and try make the nurses smile - it never hurts to make friends with the medical staff. See you back here in a couple of days, Doug Quote
JSngry Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 Good luck, best wishes, and hurry back! Quote
Chuck Nessa Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 Good luck. Can you have them send me the remains? I promise to have respectful fun with it. Happy recovery. Quote
Kalo Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 Best wishes for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery! Quote
Big Al Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 What everyone else said, Berigan! Haven't had the procedure either, but wishing you a speedy recovery nonetheless! Quote
BERIGAN Posted February 17, 2006 Author Report Posted February 17, 2006 Good luck. Can you have them send me the remains? I promise to have respectful fun with it. Happy recovery. sure. Be sure to have some fava beans on hand, and a nice chianti. Quote
brownie Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 Conrad, all of France joins me in wishing you a speedy recovery Quote
Guy Berger Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 Berigan, Good luck with the surgery. Guy Quote
ejp626 Posted February 17, 2006 Report Posted February 17, 2006 Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Quote
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