General anaesthetic fear & gallbladder removal advice

[SirRaymondLuxuryYacht]

Hi all
I'm due to have my gallbladder removed on the 18th Sept. I'm absolutely petrified of having a general anaesthetic. I know im being silly and it's safe but I'm shitting it.
I've already turned the op down about 6months ago and opted to try a low fat diet. It's now at the point everything I eat is agony I'm up all night with pain.
I'm not scared of the op,just the anaesthetic really wish it could be done with local.
Also anyone who's had gallbladder surgery would I be able to nip to the shop the next day (literally 3 terrace houses away) Asking because I'm carer for my DP and we get paid day after my op he uses wheelchair & can't get in tiny shop.
It's being done as a day case but I'm going to pack a bag for a few days just in case. What kind of things should I take.
I'm sorry if I'm rambling anxiety through the roof just thinking about the GA thanks

Hi. I was terrified of the GA before my gallbladder op. It was fine, literally awake one second then out completely. I can't really advise about getting out and about next day as my surgery converted to open so I was in hospital for five nights but I can tell you what I took in!

I took: three pairs of pyjama bottoms and multiple T shirts (thankfully as the GA made me quite stinky for some reason), a long cardi (in place of a dressing gown), crocs that were easy to put on without bending over, eyemask and earplugs, kindle, wash bag (including baby wipes; couldn't shower for a few days), dry shampoo, peppermint tea bags (to help with trapped gas used in surgery) and very importantly, loose fitting trousers to go home in. You will have a surgery site on your belly button and probably be bloated from the gas.

Even though my surgery didn't go to plan and it was a long recovery, it was well worth it. Potentially saved my life as it turned out! Any more questions, please ask.

Anaesthesia fear is quite common and anaesthetists and hospitals very good at dealing with it. You probably with go to pre- admission clinic before the op so I would talk to the nurse and dr there - you will be met with lots understanding.
As far as getting up nad going to shop that might be OK but most likely not. ? Can you ask a neighbour or friend or talk to the shop ad ask them to deliver the things .
You sound like you need lots support as you have been quite ill and your partner is too. Are you getting all the support you are entitled too eg carers for your partner as you will be most likely not be able to care for him in your usual way after the op. Maybe you should talk to your GP's nurse.
Best wishes and keep "talking" here.

Please don't pack a bag for multiple days. At a max take bare essentials for one overnight only.

It's not a long OP so not a long anaesthetic 40-60 mins. And I know it seems scary but they've checked you out already to make sure you're as healthy as can be before hand to have all risks as low as possible. Not having the OP is potentially much more dangerous to your health.

You will be able to walk to the shop yes but you won't be able/allowed to carry anything if any significance at all. So you won't be able to really buy much at all.

A daily walk is recommended after this OP but no lifting(6) or carrying(4-6) or driving(2) for few weeks.

You won't be able to go shopping a day after. I could slowly hobble about 75m after a few days, with my mum to hold onto. It got better quickly, but no way in the first few days

It varies hugely I think. Fully get the fear of the GA, I was really worried. However by that point I was desperate to get shot of my gallbladder as it hurt daily. it took 4 and a quarter hours from being called down to theatre to being home in bed. Nurse told me to spend next day in bed which I did then the next day I was able to go for a walk in the woods and was back up to my daily 10k steps the day after.

I was told no driving for a week and I could go back to strenuous exercise after 2 weeks. No one mentioned lifting. I bounced back really quickly but my friend's DH who was fitter and younger took a good couple of weeks plus needed a night in hospital. It really does depend. I'd plan on not being able to go to the shops the next day.

So glad mine is out though, best thing to happen this year.

I've had a GA twice and I loved it. Does that make me weird? You'll be fine.

Hope this helps! I was so scared before my first GA last year I got off the anaesthetic table and said I was going home
The lovely anaesthetist asked if she could give me something to relax me and I agreed. Next minute I felt like I had 2 bottles of wine, not dizzy or sick, just laughing a lot. Then I woke up!
Second GA, nervous again so they went and looked what I had the previous time and gave me exactly the same
I asked for anti sickness and the pre med again (midazolam). Same experience, except I went to say "well this isn't working like last time" and then woke up on the ward

Anaesthetists seem to be the most lovely people, tell them you're scared, ask for a pre med, ask for anti sickness. I am generally starving after, and I can't sleep the night after a GA but that's it. And a sore throats but drink lots of warm or ice cold drinks and it helps

I can't even describe how terrified I was, think uncontrollable shaking and sobbing, and it really was absolutely fine

I had my gallbladder out last December, and I have also had 12 other major surgeries. The procedure to remove a gallbladder is very quick, and anesthesia is very, very safe. You will be just fine and SO HAPPY to have that evil gallbladder taken out. Try to relax.

When I had my first GA I was terrified, when the aneasthetist asked me if I had any questions before the operation, I asked her if I would definately wake up! She reassured me that I would and said that it would mean loads more paperwork for her if I didnt so she would make sure I did ! Her humour defused my anxiety totally.
Now had two further surgeries and quite enjoy the sensation of being anaesthetised.

I had pancreatitis which was the most painful thing ever - you really don't want it to get to that stage. Gall bladder removal was the solution.
I had a pre-med which helped me to relax so didn't really notice the GA - just woke up to find it was all over.
The procedure apparently took 17 minutes so couldn't have been out for long.
Five small incisions in my abdomen, and very bloated - they pump you full of gas apparently.
Went home the following day, after they made sure I could urinate without difficulty.
Told to stay off work for two weeks and did so. Just did a little walking each day.
Found when eating, later, would feel "full" very suddenly and would have to stop. Lost weight!

Had GA since for much longer procedure (four hours) and found myself joking with the anaesthetist and the porters. No problems at all.

Thanks so much for your lovely replies and advice.
Luckily a friend has offered to pop round every day to help with DP and run errands if needed. I guess I'll have to leave nipping shop day after.
I had midazolam & local when I had a small tumour removed from my neck. I was laughing and joking with the surgeon. I'm going to definitely ask for some more of that.
Going to make a list of things I need and to do. I'll do an online shop and make sure the gas/electric are topped up.
How much does your stomach swell? Should I buy PJs in a size larger?
God I'm really wittering so sorry and thanks all.
On the scan I had 1 stone, I've called him Charles after Charles De Gaul. Charles the unwanted tenant will being evicted on the 18th most definitely.

I was ridiculously bloated. It was comical, and I bruise easily so was black and blue as well. Pyjamas were fine but no way did I fit in jeans for at least a week! I was so looking forward to eating normally again but had no appetite for a while post surgery. I lived off ham sandwiches and multivitamins for a while!

Definitely very loose waist band trousers, my leggings hurt like hell when I wore them home as they were just over the biggest scar.

Thanks everyone I'm feeling much more reassured now.
I'm sorry I've not replied sooner i typed out reply yesterday but my phone is being silly and it vanished.
I'm at the point now I just want rid. Was up all Friday night got up and had shower really early.
It's always worse at night the pain,is this normal.
I was taking Buscopan which helped a bit but now they've been making very itchy so Ive not had any.
I've got 2 pairs of Ali Baba type pants with soft wide stretchy waistbands. Just need some cheapo primark t-shirts.
I'm more bothered about it turning into the open surgery and having to stay in. It's a small day hospital (about 10mins in taxi) so if I do will be transferred to a hospital further away.
Should I pack just in case I'm transferred? Just a small rucksack as it would be difficult for partner to bring it in.
We've a friend who'll be popping in each day to help an run errands. He could bring my things in but it's bit of a trek on bus & longish walk.
I'm panicking but also just want it all over with and a big piece of chocolate cake

I was advised at my pre-op assessment to pack for a few days, but my hospital is an hour and a half away from home so would have been very awkward to get someone to drop stuff off. I would ask at your pre-op. Tell them you're worried about the anaesthetic, it's a very common worry. I have an unusual condition meaning I need extra care when under and the anaesthetist was brilliant in explaining what would happen and what extra precautions would be taken.

Got my op in the morning, hopefully.
There's a possibility it's going to be cancelled though. Had a lady phone from hospital 4.30pm on Friday. Could I get there by 5pm to take blood tests which are needed couple of days before op. They should have phoned earlier in week and it got overlooked (incompetent twats). No way I could have made it takes 20-30 mins on bus plus a 15min walk.
So I'm in bloody limbo, I've a strong feeling it's going to be cancelled due to this. Really pissed off if they do as my anxiety is through the roof.

Fingers crossed for you. Hope it goes ahead.

Thanks everyone for your support. Im home sans gallbladder. Don't feel to bad at all. Got home about 7pm last night. Was in bit of pain mainly from being pumped with gas.
Just had a micro burger and no pain, in fact felt much better after eating.
The GA was great aneastetist (sp?) was lovely really gentle and reassuring. He had problems getting a line in. He gave me some gas first because he didn't want to hurt me poking about for veins.
I woke up thinking I was at home in bed and it was early hours and DP was waking me up. Almost told nurse to fuck off waking me up thinking it was DP waking me early 😂.
I'm rambling now feel bit spaced out from the codeine.
Thanks all.

Anyone about who's had experience of gallbladder removal?
I had my done on Monday. Been ok since about an hour ago. I've just started feeling quite nauseous,is this normal? I'm a bit worried I suffer from anxiety and it's worrying me. Sorry for being a pest with my posts.

I was ok (ish!) for the first couple of days then incredibly nauseous and could not eat a thing. Was still in hospital so asked for anti-emetics. The nausea passed after a couple of days but zero appetite for a while.

Thanks fuckweasel, I'm not too bad now,think it was trapped gas making me feel sick. The shoulder pain is almost gone now,mainly have it when I get up in morning for awhile. It's been worth it though as I've been eating a lot better with no nasty pain. My appetite is back with a vengeance. Must be careful and eat healthier than I was before the gallstones,don't want them returning.