Gallbladder out yesterday – DETAILED recovery update (much better than expected)
9:13 - I’ve seen the surgeon, anaesthetist and nurse . All forms filled out. Peed in a cup. In dressing gown and hospital gown, stocking and slippers. I’m going in at about 11 or 12. Maybe ever so slightly getting nervous. Had to remind surgeon about the endoscopy at the end of the removal.
Got told I can’t have the gallstones, they’ve not done it for 10 years.
Was talking to another patient in for something else, but she’s been called now. Another GB removal patient didn’t know some things, so I said she should ask who is picking her up to bring a pillow, so she told him to do that.
23:53 - late update:
I talked to a nurse, the surgeon (i liked her a bit after this - said pictures yes but it’s been years since they let people take the stones home), and anaesthetist. Was in my robe, dressing gown, slippers and stockings by 8. Was told I was last of the three so prob around 11/12. Sorry, I already said that, didn’t I? Talking and reading my book helped pass the time. At 11:10 I put my book away and got ready in case I was called between 11 and 12.
Heard them say my name in relation to “changing the order of the list” earlier but then “what about the last patient, ABitRuff?” So I was still last. That’s fine, only a few hours.
I was told I could have sips of water if I wanted but best if I didn’t, so I didn’t. My lips were dry.
I was called for surgery about 11:40. Asked if I wanted the toilet. Got asked if I wanted to walk or wheelchair, I chose walk.
In the anaesthetist room, they bagged up my dressing gown and slippers, undid the back of my robe, checked some consent forms, put the monitoring stickers on me, arranged the leads, and gave me an oxygen mask that I had to take deep breaths on. This is when my normal nerves set in. This is also when I found out it was not the surgeon I’d been dealing with who would do it, but a male surgeon. I had no problem with that, maybe the usual one had an emergency.
The anaesthetists were friendly and funny. I asked if it had to be my hand she tried further up my arm but didn’t work so hand it was. I appreciated her trying. They gave me morphine and fentanyl. After a few minutes, she said she was giving me the sleepy stuff. I waved and saved goodbye, she said goodnight not goodbye. I liked them.
My fears of exposure were kind of gone. Told by a few doctors/nurses they see it every day and don’t really care.
Didn’t get the chance to count down before I was waking up. Don’t remember the first recovery room but I remember giving a thumbs up so maybe that was to be moved to the ward. I was very sleepy and slept for probably 1-2 hours. I had an IV and a blood pressure sleeve thing when I woke up. I was drifting in and out, waking up when someone said my name in order to give me information or ask me stuff.
I think they put the three GB removals all in a line, separated by a curtain, as I saw the woman I’d given advice to on her left side asleep. There was also another woman with a jar/bottle and a drain to collect her bile.
When I was a bit more awake, maybe about 3/4, I asked to be sat up. Then I dozed again. I took sips of water and chose a cheese sandwich, which took me ages to eat -about 2 hours - even with little bites, it just sat in my mouth as mush before I could swallow it.
Oh, and they didn’t take pictures. Apparently, the gallstones were small so they couldn’t see them.
Got taken to the toilet, I felt bad for being much taller than the nurse as, though I was walking, I was slightly off balance. She said don’t lock the door. Sat there for 20 mins - could feel the pee but it just wasn’t coming out.
Gave up and told her this but I think she thought I meant that I had peed and ticked it off. I know I should’ve corrected her but didn’t.
When we got back to the bed, she left me to get dressed. I had no bra, a purposefully brought moomoo and work shoes, so I kept the leggings and slippers on.
Both my original surgeon and nurse told me I wouldn’t need the binder and they were right.
OH RIGHT, pain!
Pain wise I had NO Gas pain, I was expecting it and this was one of my biggest worries. My incisions hurt, to be expected.
The nurse (who I really liked) said I could call my mum and husband to come and get me. So 20 mins later, they wheeled me out to the car. They’d forgotten the pillow so I used my fluffy dressing gown which worked fine.
When I got home, the stairs weren’t too bad. Got home at 6, slept til 9. Slept upright but a bit slouchy on my stomach, so my lower torso was kind of flat ish on the bed if that makes sense. Very sore throat so I had a Strepsil. Sipped water. Went to the toilet - still had the problem. Next time I tried, it came out slowly and just a trickle. Everytime was better. No poop yet.
I slept fine through the night, 7 hours.
Now the day after, peeing almost back to normal. No gas pain still, I can get myself out of bed and to the toilet though my husband is there if I need (yes, there’s of course incision pain constantly, worse when getting up/down). A spot of blood came through one of the bandages. I have 4 bandages. I got lots of instructions. I’ll follow them.
An hour ago I had two pieces of dry toast and a small glass of semi skimmed milk. No side effects yet.
I feel extremely lucky and pleased that I’m having such a smooth time of it (so far). YMMV but just thought I’d share. Let me know if you want updates if my status changes.
EDIT:going to have a 3 minute walk with my husband outside tomorrow