Exhausted stirring pasta aka. How my surgery went
By Faye
@FayeHazel (40243)
United States
January 21, 2018 12:31pm CST
Hi MyLot,
It has been an interesting 12 days. That figure stuns me, it doesn't feel like that long.
I had surgery to remove my gallbladder on the 9th and unfortunately - instead of the 45 minute - home-the-same-day surgery that I thought I'd be getting, they had to do it the "old" way which means a big incision and a hospital stay.
I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be shockingly.
The nurses and people working with me beforehand were excellent so that helped. Of course the man that got my weight and measurements was really hot. I kidded that I didn't want him to know what I weigh. He joked back and made me feel really comfortable.
Going into the actual operating room was really creepy, so it was a good thing that they knocked me out right away.
They told me that I would get some medicine to go to sleep.... It was a very unique feeling, and I actually liked the anesthesia a great deal.
I woke up 4 hours later, hurting.
I had to stay in the hospital for 3 days and if you ask me that wasn't long enough.
I will spare you all the graphic details, but after abdominal surgery many things are greatly difficult including getting up, walking, standing, even re-positioning in bed. The first time they got my up to walk involved a panic attack from the pain later.
Of course, it didn't help that I simply wasn't prepared for it. I expected to feel fine in a day or 2 and all better in a week. Instead I got the more major procedure.
I spent those 3 days mostly asleep and then went to my parent's house for another 4 days. I slept in my dad's recliner which was actually more comfy than the hospital bed.
I've been in my own home for 5 days now. I can do tasks slowly. Most days there is at least 1 nap.
The pain is getting better but my energy level is stuck in slow gear.
Like the title states.... I get tired out stirring pasta. Or doing dishes. Or walking to get the mail. Or any other small task.
I feel a bit trapped in my own body.
If I knew it was going to be like this, I wouldn't have done it. But it's a good thing it's done. I'm sure I'll be happy after awhile.
So that's my update... I would be curious which of you guys have had a procedure or surgery and your thoughts on it. It is amazing what medicine can do.
Photo: Pixabay
29 people like this
29 responses
@misunderstood_zombie (8142)
• United States
22 Jan 18
@FayeHazel I'm so happy that everything is OK, even though it wasn't a piece of cake, it's great that you're up and about, and hopefully it will only get easier from now on.
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (179699)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Yes, I am glad everything went well for her too!
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks! Little better each day now :-)
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (119354)
• United States
21 Jan 18
The same thing happened to me. It was supposed to be a laparoscopic surgery, but when they got in there it was much worse than expected and they had to convert it to an “open” cholecystectomy. I have a huge scar but I’m used to it now. 
The recovery is difficult but it is worth it in the end. You won’t have to worry about what you eat any longer, no more attacks, no more vomiting or back pain, etc. The hardest part is over. Your strength will return a little each day.
Make sure you are taking a good probiotic capsule twice a day. Digestive enzymes with your meals can help too.
The recovery is difficult but it is worth it in the end. You won’t have to worry about what you eat any longer, no more attacks, no more vomiting or back pain, etc. The hardest part is over. Your strength will return a little each day.
Make sure you are taking a good probiotic capsule twice a day. Digestive enzymes with your meals can help too.2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Oh dear. Sorry yours went this way too. No fun! But I'm happy we have ours out now so no more attacks.
I've been reading about vitamin E oil, Lavender oil and some scar fading products - maybe you would be interested too?
I didn't think of the probiotics, thanks for the heads up
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (119354)
• United States
22 Jan 18
@FayeHazel my scar is 7 years old. I don’t think it is going to fade any more.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
23 Jan 18
@NJChicaa I am sure enjoying chocolate now :-)
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@snowy22315 (179699)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Wow, It sounds not very nice. I had open heart surgery when I was a child and was in the hospital about 10 days, but honestly..I don't remember the pain..although I must have had some. It was bearable. I remember when I had my son..they told me I could leave the hospital the next day!!! I felt like saying you have to be kidding me!!! I stayed an extra day!
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Oh my goodness. That is a major thing. I'm happy you are alright now - and don't remember the pain of the ordeal.
That stuns me that they would send new moms home so soon. Not only have you gone through the physical ordeal of labor but also the fact you have a brand new human who did not come with an instruction book. Ha
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
21 Jan 18
At first you will feel like that but after you will start to get much better.
I had a C/Section done also and a vertical one and I really had no choice as it was an emergency thing otherwise my youngest might not be here today.
I was more tired having to get out of bed every five minutes to see to him until a Nurse saved my week and took him off me of a night time with orders for me to stay in bed and for the Nursery to have him all night.
Get better very very soon then.
1 person likes this
@lovinangelsinstead21 (36850)
• Pamplona, Spain
23 Jan 18
@FayeHazel
That Nurse was my God send I can tell you I was at my wit´s end trying to cope with a crying baby who cried all day long and the stitches that were far too tight and no help to get out of a high bed on top.
She told them off for not helping me and it worked.
You should start to feel so much better now bit by bit and its yours systems way of coping with what has happened.
I had lots of wind pain at first but it went off Chinese doctor told them off was well for not looking out for me.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
23 Jan 18
@lovinangelsinstead21 I am amazed that there was no one to help you up out of a high topped bed like that. When I was in the hospital you have to put on the light to call the nurse *every* time you get up. Even if you feel like you can handle it. (If you don't call the nurse, they yell at you.)
I'm so happy that the nurse came in to help you out. It amazes me that the others were inconsiderate.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
I wait patiently to get my energy back. :-)
I'm happy that you and your baby turned out alright, also that they had the sense to let the people at the nursery take care of the baby so you could rest and heal
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Jan 18
When my appendix ruptured (at the age of 59), they had to cut me from the belly button down to the pelvic bone and closed me up with 17 staples @FayeHazel . I was in the hospital for 7 days. Had I have gone 2 days earlier, it would have been a very minor procedure. As it was, they said I only had about 2 hours to live had I not been rushed to the hospital. I had the animal shelter here at the time and as soon as I got home from the hospital, I had to get back to work taking care of the 106 dogs and 20 cats.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Oh goodness that is scary! I'm happy they got to you in the nick of time sounds like.
After I was cut loose from the hospital I could barely manage to do the chores on the 1 cat I am pet sitting right now. I cannot imagine chores x 126 - I'm sorry no one was on hand to help you out a bit more
1 person likes this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
22 Jan 18
@FayeHazel Yeah, my situation was, "Suck it up and keep going." What amazes me is that I barely even have a scar.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55293)
• Los Angeles, California
21 Jan 18
You're healing now, so things going at a slower pace is only natural - do take it easy! Little by little you'll get back to your normal self - just takes time. The only times I've had surgery was oral surgery (teeth removal - including wisdom teeth) and having a c-section.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55293)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Jan 18
@FayeHazel Hope each day is better for you! 
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Oo! Ive heard wisdom teeth out is a rough one too. Thanks for the head's up.... little by little feeling better
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
22 Jan 18
I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I've only had some beauty surgeries and was never in pain. Perhaps some discomfort for a bit. Yes, it's amazing what modern medical science can do. Welcome back. I thought of you several times.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
23 Jan 18
@FayeHazel Stomach surgery is awfully painful. Heal up fast!!!! You must be in good health when Dr. Jay asks you out!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
23 Jan 18
@DianneN Thanks! There's some good incentive to feel better quickly. lol
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks -- I missed you while I was out of it :-)
I'm happy you haven't needed anything painful.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (338625)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Jan 18
@FayeHazel I don't want to be negative at all but they say it can take some months to fully recover from a general anaesthetic. So I hope you'll be kind to, and patient with, yourself until your body has got over such a trauma.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Oh that's interesting, I didn't stop to think that it could still be the medicine in my system - that makes me feel better. I shall have to drink more water in efforts to flush it out.
Thanks! Better each day
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
23 Jan 18
@JudyEv *ughhhhhhhh* Thanks though, that does help a lot. At least I won't be wondering why I'm not getting better faster.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67086)
• United States
21 Jan 18
I'm sorry it wasn't what you were expecting, but glad you got it done and are now on the way to feeling no pain.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
25 Jan 18
@FayeHazel
I was told about it Faye. If it happened now I would scream like a baby.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Jan 18
@Hannihar Oh I think I would freak out if that happened to me, too
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
24 Jan 18
Oh ow! I'm happy you don't remember the discomfort of it
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
25 Jan 18
I'm so happy that you don't remember your surgery. Thank you, I'm happy to be on the mend now
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
I had a gall bladder operation done too, but nothing like yours. I was in one day, they operated, made 4 incisions and it was out. I had very slight pains. I went home the same evening, was told not to climb steps ans not to wet the area. I went back one week and had the stitches removed. I couldn't wear tight clothes, and no bra. But was about 3 months before I felt I could be 100% active. Sadly one side effect was that I put on about 60 pounds that I never was able to get rid off. And no eating pepper, oil foods and nuts.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
24 Jan 18
I'm happy you had yours out too - attacks are no fun. Funny thing - I thought I was unique - I didn't wear a bra for a week. Oh my goodness - it may take that long to get back to fully active? Do you think it was from the anesthesia?
@Dirren_Ronaldo (291)
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia
22 Jan 18
Yea.. and technology makes medicine more capable to help the peopel
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
It is amazing the advances that are made all the time in medicine
1 person likes this
@Dirren_Ronaldo (291)
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia
23 Jan 18
@FayeHazel yaa... of course..
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72018)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Not doing it if you knew it would be like this would be bad. You needed it out and once all this heals you will feel better without that gallbladder in there making you sick! I am sorry to hear you had such a hard time with the procedure!
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks - you are right. In the end I'm happy I didn't know it would be like this - so I got it done. Could have been a lot worse , an emergency to get it out.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks so much :-) I'm frustrated about needing rest, but you are right... there is a need for it
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks! I can't wait to feel "normal" again :-)
1 person likes this
@Letranknight2015 (51914)
• Philippines
22 Jan 18
That was one rough moment you had over there. I hope you recover soon, at least you are doing some little things over there.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks! I will be happy sometime that I had it done
1 person likes this
@EMJAYJONE (20)
•
22 Jan 18
The good thing is that you are out of the hospital and your surgery was successful.its just a matter of tym en your body will gear up to its full potential and you will be back to doing what you love doing most.best of luck
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
22 Jan 18
Thanks! You're right, even though I'm frustrated, - at least the worst is over
