Gallbladder Surgery

Since Zoë was six months old, I have had many gallstone attacks.   They are EXTREMELY painful, and come on quick.   Some may last 10 minutes, while others hours.  I had planned on getting it removed over a year ago, but I decided to take a pregnancy test the night before my surgery and found out I was pregnant with Tenley.    They didn't want to operate on me while I was pregnant so I had to postpone it.    So on Friday, I finally had it taken out.

I was very nervous about surgery, not so much the surgery, but getting put to sleep.   I had never been put to sleep before, as the only surgery's I have had was my c-sections, which they kept me awake for.   It was so weird as I was wide awake, and then someone told me to think about a beach and then I was out.   I don't remember closing my eyes, or even feeling slightly drowsy.  It was SO instant...

Recovery is better then a csection, but still quite sore.   I am supposedly not allowed to pick up more then 5 lbs for at least a week.    Which means I cannot pick up Tenley, let alone with a carseat.    Which makes it next to impossible as I take the kids 3x a day to school, and I have Tenley to watch while Lee's at work. So we will see how long that lasts...

I have 4 seperate incisions, which will blend well with my stretch marks.  

If you are interested in what the surgery entails, this is a description

The Laparascopic Gallbladder Surgery Procedure

The gallbladder is a small organ whose function is to store and release bile, which is a digestive fluid secreted by the liver. Bile performs the critical function of breaking down fats so they can be absorbed by the digestive tract. 

Gallbladder removal surgery is called for when gallstones have formed, blocking the flow of bile and leading to attacks that can cause severe pain and discomfort.

Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery

 
With the invention of the laparoscopic procedure in 1989, the surgery can now be performed through several small openings, can be completed in one to three hours, and has a much shorter recovery time.

• After the patient is anesthetized, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to create enough space that the surgeon can both see and maneuver inside the abdominal cavity.
• Next, four tiny incisions are made, including one in the naval.
• A laparoscope is then inserted, which is attached to a camera, allowing the doctor to see inside the abdomen and identify the ducts and organs.
• Using the camera and screen as a guide, other instruments are inserted through the other incisions. These instruments are used to close off the ducts and blood vessels with small metal clips.
• The gallbladder is then separated from the liver and from the ducts and arteries running to it.
• The gallbladder is drained of all fluid through the naval opening and is then removed through that incision.
 

 • The procedure usually lasts about an hour to an hour and half.

After getting out of surgery, and out of the recovery room I went to the day use beds where I stayed for a few more hours before being released.  I was really drowsy, but I remember asking them to get my husband but since he was gone the first time they went to get him (think he was at the cafeteria) they didn't get him again until over 2 hours after my surgery.   

I know Lee is excited to get back to work (well he starts with my dad tomorrow), so a new job.   But having to take care of me and the 3 kids mostly on his own has worn him out.  

Luckily I won't have to worry about getting anymore gallstone attacks now!