Thread: Key hole gallbladder surgery

On the 24th I will be having the keyhole gallbladder surgery. Just wanted to know if anyone else on here has had it done and wanted to let me know what to expect. I am really scared.

Originally Posted by jasmine

Of course I know what a gallbladder is, but what does key hole mean?

It's laparoscopic surgery with the use of a scope w/video in one of the incisions and the surgery taking place through the other. The incisions are tiny and healing is much faster that way. Our docs perform them regularly.

I have had NO problems after having mine out and can eat anything. You will be sore for awhile but its not bad...really.

Originally Posted by jasmine

what kind of problems, pain, would a person begin to have to know that something is wrong with their gallbladder?

Severe pain, as in as bad as child birth in the stomach area. Vomiting, nausea. FIL had the surgery and hes 80 and doing just fine

I had the same experience as Bliss. I had mine removed in 2004. It was supposed to be done as an out-patient however I ended up having to stay in the hospital for a week.

Everyone is different & has different experiences. To this day I have to read nutritional labels. Anything over 4-5% fat & I am sick. I can't remember the last time I had a cheeseburger, steak or bacon. Turkey bacon isn't the same...trust me. I live on fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, fish & some chicken. I am like Bliss that I struggle to keep my weight above 100 pounds. Nausea is something I have learned to live with. It feels like morning sickness. It is horrible.

The pain from the incision isn't too bad. Try to wear pants that have elescti waists for a week afterwards.

Good luck & let us know how you make out.

I had it done in 1990. At the time, it was considered 'experimental' surgery. The old traditional surgery where you were cut from stem to stern, so to speak, was a very difficult, messy surgery and recovery. (My mom used to be a nurse and she said it was tough on the patient because of drains that were needed.) Typical hospital stay for the 'old way' was 10 days. I had the new and improved 'key hole' surgery and only stayed overnight! It was truly a breeze for me. In fact, I had the surgery on a Thursday, interviewed for a new job the following Tuesday and started on Wednesday!!

I did gain some weight...but that also could have been because I was perimenopausal at the time. I don't have any dietary restrictions because of the surgery.

Good luck! You should feel better when it is over.

I had it,had 5 holes (norm is 4). The extra was to check for hidden stones. Of course, 2 of them got infected and I now have 2 dime sized scars but the other 3 are invisible. I had a slight left side ache while shopping one day, came home and googled it and saw that it sounded like gallbladder. Went to dr, had ultrasound and had it out with just that one day of pain in the beginning. No sense waiting til it dropped me to the floor in pain.