what happens to our bodies after surgery??

[Pleiades45]

I had keyhole surgery to remove my gallbladder and some problematic stones about 10 days ago.

I'm feeling great, no pain, just a bit tender. I'm thinking about driving again, am able to do some housework but...

I get tired easily
I feel like I've got baby blues
I feel really cold most of the time and then wake up in the night feeling like I'm having a hot flush.

Do our bodies go into shock after surgery? Is this the general anaesthetic - after 10 days?

[ThatsNotMyBabyBelly]

I had this procedure about 6 years ago and felt exactly as you describe. I went back to work after 2 weeks feeling fine, and had to have half a day and come home and sleep. I was only 25 and fighting fit at the time, but it really knocked it out of me.

I think it is natural to try and get back to normal and it is your body's way of reminding you to slow down.

[bigfatgypsy]

IME general anaesthetic has a long-lasting effect on the body even after the other physical symptoms have subsided. Tiredness and exhaustion can last for a good few weeks so take it easy for a while.

[Pleiades45]

thanks for the replies, I've been feeling like I'm falling apart!!! At least I know it's normal and there's an end to it.

[shesparkles]

I've felt like that after a GA too, also very weepy. My surgery was relatively minor and I think the GA took more out of me than the actual surgery did!

[nightcat]

My friend is facing a surgery and a consultant on checking his history (5 ops with GA) expressed concern on numnber of GAs he had and gave him extra checks (ECG etc) as apparently GA does have some possibly cumulative/long lasting effect. He has just been given OK for the surgery.

I hope someone can come to explain how exactly GA affects the body, as I wasn't aware of that and would be interested to find out more.

[SardineQueen]

Your body has had a big shock. You've been knocked unconscious with drugs and cut open and poked around in.

Your body needs time to heal and recover, take it easy, be kind to yourself, don't overdo it. You will get better and feel better.

I've had about 6 GAs and have always got better afterwards! Don't underestimate what your body has gone through though, it's not a machine, it will take a little time to get back to normal

[SardineQueen]

However if you are still feeling not right after a while then obviously go and see the doc just in case!

Generally the time given to heal internally (flesh not bones) is 6 weeks - that's what they work to with the sorts of surgery I've had anyway.

[CroissantNeuf]

IIRC I've read or been told that traces of GA can be in your system up to 6 months later.

[CroissantNeuf]

..although up to 6 months does sound a long time actually so that may be complete bollocks

[nightcat]

some anectodal evidence... I am rather shocked, I think I would want to know what meds were used in GA

[Pleiades45]

That is amazing, it sums up everything I've been feeling. I didn't think about the dizziness because I get vertigo from time to time but it has been really bad since the op.

What's the alternative? Go back to the ether gas??? I don't think I'd survive.

[TheFarSide]

nightcat there is a pornographic ad on your link BTW

[Tyr]

Keyhole surgery reduces the trauma so you will get over that very quickly. GA's take ages to work themselves out of you system and the effects linger much longer than the surgery itself. I felt like I had narcolepsy for a couple of months. Just allow yourself frequent rests, regular nutritious food and it will pass soon enough.

[topsi]

GA often causes depression for a short while after.

[first1]

I've had a GA three times and every time my body goes into shock and my metabolism goes into overdrive. I end up losing ridiculous amounts of weight. After a simple op to have my appendix out I lost a stone in two weeks and felt dizzy for a month. Horrible

[eaglewings]

I'm sitting in my hospital gown reading this while waiting fr the porters!!!

Thinking about it, I did take 2 weeks to get over last GA.

As for driving, check with the insurance company, you may not be covered yet.

Boy am I hungry :(

[AuntieMaggie]

take it easy as some others have said - you'll still be healing inside and the drugs they used (GA and painkillers and stuff) take time to come out of your system so eat well, drink plenty of water and rest when you need to.

[nightcat]

eagle, good luck!!

apols, not realised there was a dodgy link in the forum extract I linked

[eaglewings]

Home now after surgery in the middle of the night 22 hours ago
hb was 10.9 when tested this morning