# Cholecystectomy tomorrow at 9:30 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 20, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527 "2009-10-20T21:35:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/1 "2009-10-20T21:35:08Z")
Thanks in part to your wonderful input, I’m going to get my gallbladder yanked out tomorrow morning. Have to report at 6:30 am, and will hopefully be home by early afternoon - a far cry from what it was in my Grandma’s time, when she got cut wide open and spent six days in the hospital! I will try to report in when I can - might be on narcotics and loopy for a while! ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/2 "2009-10-20T21:37:23Z")
Interesting thing about pain that I learned after my gallbladder was yanked: It doesn’t always present as “pain”. Sometimes, it presents as “I feel like crap, and if I try to nap, I have nightmares”. The moral of this story is “take your pain meds”. It’s a happy ending. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/3 "2009-10-20T22:15:41Z")
Good luck! A life without heartburn is like a whole new life – you’re gonna love it. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/4 "2009-10-20T22:42:02Z")
Hope everything goes well. And that you end up feeling very much better when it’s all over. ---
**Author:** ![Polly\_Glot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@Polly\_Glot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polly_Glot)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/5 "2009-10-20T23:09:04Z")
Here’s hoping all goes smoothly for you! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/6 "2009-10-20T23:29:10Z")
Good luck! I had mine out and it was possibly the easiest operation I have had. Sending healing thoughts your way. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/7 "2009-10-20T23:30:02Z")
Oh, you’ll get the good drugs. And they give you something to mellow you out before surgery. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/8 "2009-10-20T23:34:52Z")
Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/9 "2009-10-20T23:46:24Z")
We’ll be thinking of you, Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![Nightingale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecae2f/32.png) [@Nightingale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightingale)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/10 "2009-10-20T23:55:28Z")
Here are a couple of caveats from a Recovery Room nurse: 1. The gas used to inflate your abdomen for surgery is going to make you feel kind of gassy and bloated for a couple of days. A lot of people complain about pain in their shoulders from this. Don’t be surprised if you feel this way. Pain meds don’t really help it, but getting up and walking (when the doctor says it’s ok to do) helps to get rid of the gas 2. You’re going to have pain. This sounds kind of obvious, but sooooo many of my patients tell me that “the doctor said I wouldn’t hurt!” Even though it is laparoscopic surgery, there will be some discomfort, so mentally prepare for that. Most people say it’s not too extreme. 3. If you have ever in your life been remotely motion sick, tell the anesthesia team before you go to surgery. That way they can load you up with some anti nausea meds before surgery! Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/11 "2009-10-20T23:55:36Z")
Best wishes **UC**! I hope you’ll feel a lot better when it’s all over. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/12 "2009-10-21T00:30:06Z")
> [@Nightingale](#): > > Here are a couple of caveats from a Recovery Room nurse: > > 1. The gas used to inflate your abdomen for surgery is going to make you feel kind of gassy and bloated for a couple of days. A lot of people complain about pain in their shoulders from this. Don’t be surprised if you feel this way. Pain meds don’t really help it, but getting up and walking (when the doctor says it’s ok to do) helps to get rid of the gas In my experience, peppermint tea and/or Gas-X helps this tremendously. Of course, this is _in addition to_ getting up and walking! > [@](#): > > 1. You’re going to have pain. This sounds kind of obvious, but sooooo many of my patients tell me that “the doctor said I wouldn’t hurt!” Even though it is laparoscopic surgery, there will be some discomfort, so mentally prepare for that. Most people say it’s not too extreme. Restating what has been said upthread: take your pain meds! Take them on time, even if you feel like you don’t need them! It is easier to stay on top of the pain than to _get_ on top of the pain! (I know from extensive experience). > [@](#): > > 1. If you have ever in your life been remotely motion sick, tell the anesthesia team before you go to surgery. That way they can load you up with some anti nausea meds before surgery! My post-op coping strategy is always this: when they ask me if I’m nauseated, I say yes, even if I’m not. When they ask if I’m in pain, I say yes, even if there’s little pain, in anticipation of the pain that _will_ be there if I don’t get meds. I’m not advocating lying (I hope!), I’m just telling you my strategies given my dozens of surgical procedures. Best of luck! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/13 "2009-10-21T01:11:40Z")
> [@Nightingale](#): > > Here are a couple of caveats from a Recovery Room nurse: > > 1. The gas used to inflate your abdomen for surgery is going to make you feel kind of gassy and bloated for a couple of days. A lot of people complain about pain in their shoulders from this. Don’t be surprised if you feel this way. Pain meds don’t really help it, but getting up and walking (when the doctor says it’s ok to do) helps to get rid of the gas > > 2. You’re going to have pain. This sounds kind of obvious, but sooooo many of my patients tell me that “the doctor said I wouldn’t hurt!” Even though it is laparoscopic surgery, there will be some discomfort, so mentally prepare for that. Most people say it’s not too extreme. > > 3. If you have ever in your life been remotely motion sick, tell the anesthesia team before you go to surgery. That way they can load you up with some anti nausea meds before surgery! > > Good luck! Speaking as a same day surgery nurse, listen to the lady–she knows of what she speaks. The first 24 hours post-op are usually the worst, but YMMV. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/14 "2009-10-21T01:29:39Z")
Regarding the shoulder pain - don’t be too surprised if it is worse than the surgery pain. I couldn’t sleep the first night after my laparoscopy because of my shoulders - the incisions were hardly sore at all. Regarding recovery - you might not be like me, but I have a tendency to push harder than I should. If you think you’re good to go after a couple of days, give it another day or two. I went back to work too soon, and came back home an hour later - some people in the world know enough to rest properly after surgery. I’m learning to be one of them. Best of luck to you! ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/15 "2009-10-21T01:38:08Z")
Oh, and when the nurse told you nothing by mouth after midnight, she meant it. Really, nothing by mouth–not even water\*. But please brush your teeth… \*unless you have been told to take certain medications the morning of, of course. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/16 "2009-10-21T01:51:58Z")
Hope the operation and recovery are easy on you, UC. Everyone else has given you good advice, so I just want to send mojo your way! ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/17 "2009-10-21T02:14:16Z")
Good luck with the surgery. > [@eleanorigby](#): > > Oh, and when the nurse told you nothing by mouth after midnight, she meant it. Really, nothing by mouth–not even water\*. Actually, you can eat after midnight. They say you can’t because all doctors have an irrational fear of gremlins.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/18 "2009-10-21T02:44:39Z")
Sometime in the future you should come back and tell us if it seems like you fart much more often after having a gall bladder removed, or if my ex-wife was lying about that, too ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/19 "2009-10-21T20:35:01Z")
Hey all, I’m back! Surgery was not bad at all. The biggest annoyances are kind of ancillary to the surgery - the above-mentioned shoulder pain, throat-tickly cough from intubation, and I can’t pee on my own yet (it’s something my dumb body does - both babies and the appendectomy caused it too). Since I’m not having inordinate soreness from the incisions and I’m having urinary retention, I’m going to go ahead and ignore all the advice to take my Percocet for now. Especially since the sonofabitching shoulder pain doesn’t respond to it anyway. I’m following urologist’s orders - Flomax and in&out cathing, and I feel like I should be peeing like a champ by tomorrow or so. I’m pretty sure Tylenol will keep things under control, but if it doesn’t I’ll crack open the narcotics. Don’t worry about me trying to do too much - I’m so going to milk this. As a SAHM it’s rare for me to have true time off, so I’m taking advantage of the opportunity! Thank you everyone - it’s nice to know lots of people have been pulling for me, and the advice is wonderful as well. ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2009, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527/20 "2009-10-21T20:38:49Z")
I’m glad everything went well. Trust me, you’ll be very glad you had the surgery. Here’s hoping you pee soon! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cholecystectomy-tomorrow-at-9-30/514527.md?page=2)