Hi, im having my gallbladder removed and really scared about being put to sleep and not waking up, and the risks that comes with it

I think the best thing you can do is do some reasearch the I internet is great now a days for information. The doctors have obviously advised you to have it removed for a reason. Aslong as you don't have any major heart or lung problems the general aneasethetic will be fine. I had my gallbladder out in Feb ad I had choleocystitis but no gallstones I was having really frequent attacks so they took it out. I have since had no end of problems but that's the risk you take. My advise is if you really have to have it done then you need to... As i said I would just do my homework just incase something happens post op as I was told once you have it out you will have no pain and you can eat what you want... It couldn't b further from the truth. I don't want to scare you but I wish I would have been more prepared how old are you if you don't mind me asking and how long have you had the problem?

Why did your surgeon give you worse case scenarios? So if you become the one in a 1000 or 5000 you can't  sue him for not informing you of risks. Mad world. There are risks with any procedure but this procedure is a routine low risk op. I was like you terrified before my op. But it ran so smoothly I went down to surgery at 12.00 was back in my ward at 2pm drinking camomile tea for wind .... I went home at 8.30pm . Only took paracetamols for pain and felt so much better very quickly.  Was careful with food for 3 days but everyone bought me chocolate soon discovered I could eat it no problems . So started eating normal food experimenting gradually . Fantastic. Remember even if they do nick you inside they can stitch it up. It's not major heart surgery it's day surgery which tells you how safe it is .... Try not to worry. And believe me once that rotten inflamed and diseased organ is removed your body will sigh with relief .. Hope all goes well. 

Hi Natalie. I had the same fears, but the hospital staff were very thorough which helped me feel better and also I asked the anesthesiologist for a shot of something (versed, I think) to relax me just before they rolled me to the operating room. That helped a lot.

this is a very common surgery and it is likely that they won't even use a catheter in your bladder at all (they did not with me

Hi Natalie

I was exactly like you, and I am an ex general nurse, so have a little knowledge which in my case was both a positive & a negative I think.

I suffer with a lot of allergic reactions so was very concerned about all the drugs for anaesthesia as I'd never had a general anaesthetic before. My surgery was cancelled twice (once at the stage where  I was bedside in hospital, I'd been consented and given paper knickers, surgical stocking then the surgeon got stuck in extreme traffic due to an accident so I was cancelled etc) before finally my surgery was performed yesterday, so by the time yesterday arrived I had driven myself up into a frenzy of worry.

I arrived at 7:30am was told there was a possible bed situation and I'd have to wait. I finally got a bed at 10am chatted with the anaesthetist who was a lovely guy but looked a bit crazy as looked like a a cross between zz top and Santa Claus and an extra from lord of the rings lol I was taller than him when I was sat down. He reassured me that in 25 years of doing anaesthesia he has never seen anyone have any form of serious allergic reaction that was not able to be controlled. I also have had cardiac surgery for a heart arrhythmia a  few years ago so was worried my heart might go into a wobble and again he told me everything is closely monitored throughout and he would counteract anything my body did along the way. Gallbladder surgery is very safe and the surgery itself didn't concern me so much tbh. I was rushed through and down in theatre 10 mins after this, quick chat about my holidays with Santa Claus as he put in a cannula and next thing it's 12pm and I'm waking up, bit dry in the mouth, bit whoozy for 10-20 mins mainly as I didn't have my glasses on lol and back on the ward eating and drinking within 10 mins. 

I have four incisions, 3 tiny and 1 about 1cm under belly button. Have only needed paracetamol so far, they told me to take diclofenic regardless of whether I feel I need it for a few days as it's a good anti inflammatory. Slept well, small amount of bruising starting under the belly button wound. Slightly tender when I go to get up but I'm walking about without issue and relatively pain free tbh. I took paracetamol, but honestly it's more preventative as I genuinely don't feel anything more than a stitch like pain on movement. Got some extra dressings, dissolvable stiches in and just need to take it easy next couple of weeks.

I even wrote a letter to my family I was that scared to be opened "when I died on the operating theatre table" lol all I can say is I'm a fit and healthy 43year old aside from the things I've just mentioned and it's honestly been so easy I can't tell you. Fingers crossed it will stay that way. I'm eating fine, drinking fine. They say you can get a lot if pain between your shoulder blades from the carbon dioxide they pump in to inflate things during surgery, but I sat upright, moved around and passing wind in small amounts and no shoulder pain here thankfully!

i had my gallbladder flare up beginning of April then I got a stone lodged in my bile duct and turned yellow and started passing luminous urine. I didn't eat for 16 days straight as was being sick and in agony. They removed the stone during a thing called an ERCP after 10 days on antibiotics, IV painkillers and anti sickness stuff, no issues since but because I had 6 other gallstones they told me best to have it out once the inflammation cleared. Going on holiday in 1 month so didn't want to end up in a mess over there.

anyway hope I have in some way helped ease your fears. It's easy peasy and you will wake up! Promise x

 

You know that was the first thing this one doctor said to me, duh and when I said well you don't plan on cutting that do you and he was not amused . What a thing to say when a patient is scared. Needless to say, I schedule my surgery with him. Some doctors don't have any bed side manners

Im sorry if this causes offence to your other replies but they have really angered me!

Although on paper gallbladder removal is 'routine' it is far from that that for thousands of people! Yes the tell you that 99% of ops are a success but I would love to know what they class as a success .... I can tell you Mrs I ate chocolate after my Op you are a

Minority most people gave problems after surgery ranging from diarrhea to Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and pancreatitis. You will find that you can't eat exactly the same as

before and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you.... Yes maybe in a few years

time but certainly not straight after. There is not enough awareness given at the time

to tell you that the op will make things worse! Some people like I said have it worse

than others. I am on the extreme side of the spectrum and parts of me wish I had died right there on the operating table as my life is now a living nightmare..... This probably won't happen to you but please don't believe that everything is going to be like it was before because I can feel you it won't!

Hi there, 

I just wanted to say thank you to those who have previously contributed to this thread. I stumbled across this conversation before my surgery and it really helped me to calm down. So I thought I'd add my experience and tips to help others...

I went into the hospital at 7am on the day of my surgery (no food and drink allowed beforehand) and had my operation at 11am.

I'm in my late 20s and this was my first experience of key-hole surgery. When I woke up I felt discomfort and pain in my stomach and shoulders (I'd say a 5 out of 10) but the medication provided dulled that down.

I stayed overnight, had breakfast the following morning and went home. I was given some strong painkillers (oxycodone) and paracetamol. I continued to take the strong painkillers the following day but they caused more problems then they solved (drowsiness, vomiting and constipation) so I stopped taking them and found the discomfort manageable without taking anything at all. 

I spent the next couple of days in bed and was up and about by the weekend (4 days after the surgery). I continued to take it easy (no heavy lifting or stretching and frequqnt naps) for the following week. I returned to work after 2 weeks. 

I looked online for post-op diets and there seemed to be little consensus about what to eat. My surgeon said it really depended on the individual so I started with plain high-fibre low-fat meals and then gradually started to introduce meat, dairy and vegetables. Three weeks later I'm still having problems digesting some fruits (blueberries, strawberries, oranges) and food with a lot of butter (croissants, rich sauces etc) but I feel myself getting better every day.  

It's been a positive experience for me (and I'm really sorry to hear about your experience Kaylesc - I hope you've now had a complete recovery). Even when I was experiencing pain after the surgery - it was a trifle compared to the pain of having a gallstone attack. 

Tips I would give to those awaiting the surgery: 

- Take a good book, slippers and eye mask into the hospital.

- Stock up on plain high-fibre foods before the surgery.

- My partner was able to work from home the 2 days following the surgery - this was particularly helpful as I was too drowsy to make meals. If someone can't stay at home with you I'd reccomend making 1-2 days meals in advance. 

- Have a hot water bottle handy - I found it helped with the ache in my shoulders.

- Have an upbeat TV series waiting for you. I'm unashamed to say I powered through 4 seasons of Parks and Recreation - and it was GREAT.

- Manage friends expectations that you won't be immediately available to speak over the phone or have people around for 3-4 days. I'd reccomend having a point of contact who can update friends and extended family. 

- It's easy to say now but try not to worry too much about the surgery and aneasethetic. I spent hours trying to find out how many people had died every year from the procedure/ what the alternatives to surgery were/ what would be the last words I said to my partner and family etc. All very dramatic in retrospect! It's a huge relief not to worry about my gallbladder anymore and I wish the best of luck to anyone awaiting the surgery.