Thoughts and prayers please

[hinakiba777]

So I'm having my Gallbladder removed on October 5, and I would feel a lot better knowing there are people thinking good thoughts for me.

For the most part I'm relieved to finally be getting the surgery because the pain of the attacks has started getting pretty unbearable. It has been almost a year since the pain started, and four months since I was told I would have surgery sometime this fall. Though I only found out today that the surgery will be taking place next Friday, I don't even know what time the surgery will be.

The thing is, that while I know that this a fairly routine procedure, I am scared out of my wits. This is major abdominal surgery, and I've never had an invasive procedure before. The fact that surgical interns (during my consultation in June my surgeon told me it would be interns doing the procedure) are going to cut me open and remove one of my organs is just terrifying. Add to that the fact that my surgeon told me there is a chance they may have to switch from a laproscopic procedure to an open procedure makes it even worse. He told me he would have to wait to make that decision until after they started. So I am going under for day surgery, but might end up having to stay three days in hospital.

Mentally I am totally prepared for this, but emotionally I am a wreck. I am just so frightened. Plus, I'm kind of bummed that I'm having surgery Thanksgiving weekend, which means either yelling at small children not to touch me post-op, or skipping family dinner all together.

Thanks in advance for your good thoughts. I really really appreciate it.

[chikenlady]

Will be thinking of you October 5th.

[csquared]

Full disclosure sucks. They have to warn you of all the possible outcomes of the surgery. Makes you think that maybe you'll just keep the gallbladder.

We'll be looking forward to your post-surgery post, while you lay in bed with two (or is it three?) small puncture marks in your tummy. Keep thinking positive. I will.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Prayers for you, both for your fears and for your recovery.

If it makes you feel any better, I know an awful lot of friends who have had their gallbladders out and they make it out to be not a real big deal. You'll be fine.

[hinakiba777]

We'll be looking forward to your post-surgery post, while you lay in bed with two (or is it three?) small puncture marks in your tummy. Keep thinking positive. I will.

It's 4. Two on my side near where the gallbladder is, and then two closer to the middle. Though if they decide they need to do the open, then it's one single 5-8inch incision on my side.

[Crossbow]

I'll be thinking of you. My wife had it done a couple of years ago. Same thing. They said it could require a switch from laproscopic to full open but wouldn't know until they started. Thankfully, they didn't need to, and she was up and moving around quickly. You should be fine.

[dalesys]

My #2 daughter had hers out when she was 30. I got to be the ice man... Running ice upstairs to her room when she was up there, and running up there to fetch whatever she wanted when she wa downstairs.

May you surprise yourself and find all the strength and coping you need.

[hinakiba777]

So it's after 5am here and I'm too terrified about Friday to sleep. I've been crying for the last hour, though that might be from a lot of other stuff on top of the surgery. I know it's just a routine thing, and everyone tells me not to worry. But I can't help it I'm terrified, just terrified.

[Andara Bledin]

Do you have any access to a counselor? They might be able to help you cope with your fear about Friday.

^-.-^

[MoonCat]

Hina, chill. You're going to be fine. You're young and strong. Gallbladders suck, don't they? But they are very small and it's a very, very common procedure.

I had mine out in June 2011. I was so pissed when I found out what was causing my pain, and I was scared, too. I just kept telling myself everybody in my family's had to go through this, and now it's my turn. Went in there, they put me out and next thing I knew I was awake in my hospital room and it was all over.

The first couple of nights were uncomfortable and it was awkward trying to sleep, but it got easier every day. I had pain pills but I only used about 4 of them, then I went back to ibuprofen. The trickiest part was making sure the cats didn't jump on my stomach while I was in bed ... I kept a pillow propped against my side so they couldn't do that.

I was back at work in about two weeks. It's such a relief not having that pain in my side anymore! You will be FINE.

[BookstoreEscapee]

My cousin's son had his out when he was 10...he's 19 now and about 6-foot-4, so it doesn't seem to have affected him much.

Of course you're nervous, but I'm sure everything will be fine; try to find some ways to relax (tea? hot bath? a hobby?) and just focus on how much better you'll feel after it's all over.

[42_42_42]

Is this your first time having surgery? If so, then being scared is to be expected. Honestly, try not to think about it too much. Getting yourself worked up won't do you any good. Having had a half-dozen surgeries in my life, two of them major abdominal surgeries, I find that focusing on something calming and kind of meditating on that really helps.

[hinakiba777]

Is this your first time having surgery?

It's the first time I've had invasive surgery. I've had oral surgery, and a couple foot surgeries, but I've never had anything removed. Plus, with the other things there was never a discussion about possible complications. And if there was I wasn't present for it. I can't help dwelling on things the surgeon said like "If we nick your liver". I'm not concerned about the fact that I have higher rate of infection than other people

It's weird because I really don't think there will be any complications. My imagination just gets the worst of me sometimes.

[Amina516]

I've worked in the hospital for 10 years, including 7 years in the Operating Room. When I got on that OR table in April for my Lap chole, I was terrified. I knew the anesthesiologist, the CRNA, one of the surgical assistants AND my surgeon (we've been drinking together ) and I was STILL terrified. It's normal, I feel it's even worse when you actually know what's going on.

I got on the table, breathed for less than a minute and then woke up in the recovery room. I had some nausea afterwards, was given some zofran and sent home. I got in at 11am and was home in bed by 3pm. Someone else mentioned sleeping with pillows? I did. All the pillows in fact, even the ones from the couch. I as most comfortable at a 90 degree angle for about a day and a half. Then I could get lower.

The incisions were sore for a while, I was able to eat normal food after about 3 days. And really, Tylenol was more Than sufficient for my post op pain. I barely used the oxycodone I was prescribed.

I'll keep you in my thoughts. I know it's no easy task, trusting yourself to complete strangers. Have faith. Keep us updated.

[Amina516]

Also, want to throw in there that if you prefer residents NOT perform your procedure, you always have that option. It IS a major surgery, but I can tell you in my experience and years working in the operating room,of the hundreds of lap choles I've assisted in, we had to fully open less than a handful. Generally, any imaging scans you've had will show the position of stones (if there are any and how large) as well as the size of your gall bladder. They should already have a good idea whether opening you fully is where they're headed. Things happen though, and things can change in an instant. Trust in yourself. And your doctors. don't know if that helps. Stay confident.