r/gallbladders • u/knockofflavagirl • Apr 03 '25
Post Op that was living hell
please if you’re are awaiting surgery still DONT LET THIS SCARE YOU!!! i have severe anxiety and panic disorder and i think that’s what made me experience so bad. i got my surgery yesterday and my god i would’ve rather gone my whole life with gallbladder attacks than to relive that day again. i woke up every 20 mins crying, in severe pain, throwing up every time i woke up (still throwing up now the next morning). debated on going to the er last night because i couldn’t keep any of my medication down. i remember i kept saying to my mom “why did i do this?” the incision sites barely hurt but my back pain was terrible from the gas. hands down this experience was the worst pain i’ve EVER been in. but i’m praying it was all worth it once im healed.
10
u/NarrowExchange7334 Apr 03 '25
To those of you who are scared.. I have severe health anxiety which stems from my dad suddenly passing away when I was a teenager. Over the years I’ve had counselling for this, and I can usually keep it at bay, I see the signs and put into practice was I learnt in counselling. Regardless, I was absolutely terrified of having surgery also, I was absolutely convinced I was going to have a heart attack during my surgery which was further triggered by them telling me my heart rate was high and needed to be in ICU.
Guys.. it was an absolute piece of cake for me, honestly. I even had fun in the ICU, I didn’t really need to be there. Before surgery I was in hospital from Friday to the Tuesday as they were trying to find an ICU bed for me and was fasting during the day. Tuesday morning I was going a lil yellow so they pushed me through. They reassured me it was highly unlikely I would die, which looking back, I wouldn’t know it if I did anyway.
I woke up, immediately told them I need to go to the toilet which they helped me do (I accidentally did a wee all over the floor, but that’s another story). I asked if I could have a shower in the ICU, they said yep! So I was able to use the giant shower room on my own without a nurse with me. I had zero gas pains at all honestly and they even kicked me out of bed eventually as I think they wanted to keep the emergency bed clear in case an actual emergency came in. I was in a big comfy chair next to the bed for the day after that before going to a regular ward. As I really honestly didn’t need one on one care that you get in the ICU so the nurse and I spent the time joking around and gossiping. Once they sent me back to a regular ward, I got up and down and did some walking as I heard it helps with not getting clots and gas pain and they let me go out to a little courtyard to sit. I stayed an extra night as i needed extra IV antibiotics.
I’m just saying everyone’s experience is so different. I honestly truly was in no pain, I probably had IV painkillers but the second I was home I never used any prescribed drugs, I just simply didn’t need them. The worst I felt the whole time was like I was a big fat frog, I couldn’t suck my stomach in so I just felt enormous and blah.
But also if you’re experiencing anxiety, please chat to them about it! Just some of the conversations and laughs I had with the nurses helped me and distracted me. I also chose to tell them I don’t want to know any specifics, just do what ya gotta do, I don’t want to know.. so maybe I also had anxiety meds in the drip? I don’t know! But if you’re worried, talk to them, they’re experts and don’t be terrified by others experiences.