Well it is the beginning of the third day after surgery and I'm doing better than the day of lol.
The day of surgery I arrived at the hospital and while waiting, the power to the hospital went out but the emergency generators did kick on. So my surgery didn't happen at the time that it was anticipated. The Surgeons wanted to wait until the power was stable. They had to actually stop in the middle of another surgery when it first went out.
The surgery did go well and my gallbladder was successfully removed. It was done by laparoscopic so therefore I only have four small incisions in my abdomen. Three of them don't hurt at all but the one in my tummy button is the worst. That's the one where they pulled the gallbladder out. I figured that they went in at an angle because it's mostly the center of my abdomen that is painful. The doctor was very cool and gave me pictures of my insides. One of my gallbladder before removal and after it was gone (I asked if he would be able to). SO COOL.
I had a friend stay with me the first night but I'm on my own for now although she does check up on me. Both myself and my parents are very grateful that she was able to do so. Especially since it was last minute and I didn't know I needed someone to stay with me until a few hours after my surgery was done. I take my pain medicine and try to stay ahead of it. I've learned to only take one of my percocet instead of two no matter the pain, which is less than the abdominal pain I suffered BEFORE surgery. It somehow affects my breathing when I take two. I don't understand why but I think it's the dosage. It didn't do that in the past... I also have grunt candy (ibuprofen 800mg) that I take to supplement it as well per nurses orders.
I do have only one current issue that should go away in due time. I cannot sit up for long periods of time. I tend to start getting light-headed. It feels like my blood pressure is dropping but I don't have a BP monitor to check it. Guess I should purchase one eventually... But the time I'm able to sit up gets longer and longer. I do get up and walk around my apartment so I'm not always laying down.
Other than that I eat only when I need to and very little. I like the chicken broth I bought but should eat more, but since my tummy hurts when I eat I keep it to a minimum. (I see how people lose a lot of weight after an abdominal surgery)
My incisions are glued together on the outside so I don't have to worry about having my stitches taken out. Last time the nurse missed some and I ended up finishing the job when I returned home. LOL.
I contact my parents daily by video call, so they can monitor me too. My follow-up is in one week and hopefully if I can't drive by then, I'll find someone to take me. My friend will be on holiday then so I'll have to find someone else.
I'm pretty much just laying on the couch with my wedge pillows (best thing I ever bought right now) and I have almost 30 books to keep me company all within easy reach. I'm drinking water but definitely need to eat more.
At this point, I'm hoping that this post is clear and understandable. Being on the medicine I'm on makes me feel loopy which I distinctly dislike. I've gone over this post several times so I hope it's good to go and forgive me please if I am rambling.
Surgery Update!
February 11th, 2017 at 06:24 pm
February 11th, 2017 at 07:47 pm 1486842443
February 12th, 2017 at 07:26 am 1486884384
February 12th, 2017 at 03:57 pm 1486915060
February 12th, 2017 at 04:36 pm 1486917367
February 12th, 2017 at 06:53 pm 1486925605
I had gall bladder surgery a number of years ago...no pictures of my insides so you are right, that is cool. Even though it was done through laparoscopy, I still hurt for quite awhile and it took some time to build up my strength. I'm glad you have pain medicine because my doctor apparently didn't believe in it. I begged for it the night after my surgery and was told I would get some at midnight. Midnight came and went and no pain medicine. No pain medicine for the rest of the night/morning either. I was told I had to eat breakfast in order to be released. I said bring me whatever, I'm going home now. I told the doctor I hurt and he said I didn't really. I could hardly wait to get home and take some Ibuprofen. I'm glad you are doing far better! Hang in there!
February 13th, 2017 at 01:38 pm 1486993131
February 16th, 2017 at 02:29 am 1487212158
I do have ice packs but it's only when I lay down do a feel a pull on my incisions. I've learned to put a pillow underneath my stomach/hips and no pain then at all. Still trying to build up my stamina and I have driven but only for short periods.
@rob
That was medical malpractice. pure and simple... That "doctor" basically denied you medical treatment.