Re: Those that had the gallbladder surgery

[Guest guest]

>What do they do to prepare you for the surgery and what supplements

to take before and after.

****I was told by the surgeon that no preparation was necessary.

However, my osteopath recommended taking 2000 mg of vit. C a day,

gold seal and echinacia 3 times a day for two weeks prior to surgery

and two weeks after to build the immune system for quicker healing.

It really worked too, as the incisions healed very quickly. The tape

was taken off after a week. Now, a month later you can hardly see the

4 marks.

> I heard that a tube is put down the throat during surgery, but I do

not know what this is for as I have never had any kind of surgery.

****When I was taken into the operating room I had an IV inserted

into the back of my left hand. I was told that I would be going to

sleep and the next thing I knew it was 3 hours later and I was waking

up in recovery with my right side hurting a bit. The tube down the

throat is part of the general anestesia procedure. This is done after

you are out and unconscious so you do not realize anything about it.

I was told my throat might be a little sore or feeling dry afterwards

and that ice chips would relieve the irritation, which they did. No

big deal.

>I also heard that the abdomen is blown up with carbon dioxide so

that they can see the GB better during surgery, but some people are

left bloated up like a balloon.

****I was given a shot in the abdomen before surgery and one in my

rear afterwards to help the gas disipate and be absorbed or released

more readily. I was told some people have some pain in their shoulder

if the gas migrates up to that region and that you can elevate your

lower body to get the gas to head that direction. I personally felt

some strong gas pains the following day and had to take some pain

medication but by the following day all the gas had been released and

I felt back to normal as far as that goes. I am sure they try to push

99% of the CO2 out the incisions before closing them up.

****I found the whole experience to be not as bad as I had conjured

up in my mind. I was certainly sore for 24 hours, but the pain

medications are available to relieve as much discomfort as needed.

And the thought of not having to suffer the constant pain I had been

in, the constant concern over every little thing I digested, and the

fear that I was living with over having a major emergency attack to

deal with was a big motivating factor. What a relief it has been to

get back to living life and enjoying food again. I certainly have

changed my diet for the healthier for the rest of my life and I no

longer have to live with constant anxiety over a little mayonaise or

saturated fat. It has been a month since my surgery and I feel better

than I have in over a year.

good luck,

Jerome