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Original poster

Gall bladder removal op. Would you have it done before Christmas or after?

26 replies

tortoise · 14/11/2008 12:23

Had a call today offering me the op on 9th Dec or 7th Jan.
Now, DD1 & DD2 have their nativity on the 10th (daytime) and 11th (evening).
I can't miss them doing that.

I have booked the 9th Dec but have said i may change my mind but will let them know ASAP.

What should i do?

So scared.

OP posts:

AnneOfAvonlea · 14/11/2008 12:30

What is the expected revovery time? I would be inclined to have it before Christmas but not sure what support you have Tort?

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 12:33

Don't really have any sort of support. Have a couple of friends who will help out.
The lady i spoke to said i would probably just be sore. I can go to the play on the 11th if i miss the 10th.

Need to sort out someone having DD1 and DD2.

OP posts:

ohIdoliketobebesidethe · 14/11/2008 12:35

I would get it over with personally so I could enjoy the Christmas food. As you say you can still go to nativity on 11th.

SquidgyBrain · 14/11/2008 12:37

I would change it to the 7th of Jan if you would be devistated to miss the DD's nativities (understandably) as some people suffer from vomitting after and it can cause bad shoulder pain from the gas they use in the procedure. And then there is the possibility of not getting home on the 9th too if you are at the end of the list, or poorly after - safer to change and gives someone else the chance of the date

hoping it goes well when ever you decide to have it done

AnneOfAvonlea · 14/11/2008 12:39

You need to work out how important the nativity is for you to see. If you have the op on 9th there is a small risk you would miss the evening of the 11th. Unlikely but possible.

WHo is looking after DCs while you have the OP?

SquidgyBrain · 14/11/2008 12:42

sorry didn't understand it was only 1 nativity - I would still say Jan though as surgery isnt an exact science and some people end up in a couple of nights and need drains ect - of course sods law - if you don't change you will not be home if you do you will be home the same day and it will be all ok and you will curse me!!

scattyspice · 14/11/2008 12:43

I'm guessing 'sore' means not being able to walk far for a few days .

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 12:45

Thanks for opinions so far.

It is DD2's first nativity. So i would be really sad if i missed it.
I wasn't told what time op would be.

DS1 and DS2 can stay with their dad.
DD1 and DD2 i'm not sure about yet. A friend has offered to sleep here with her DC to look after the girls. Hers could sleep in DS's rooms. Plus her Mum can have one/two if need be. Not an ideal situation for her but a kind offer.
I do know a CM that is registered for overnight care if need be but would prefer DD's to be here in their own beds.

OP posts:

NorthernLurker · 14/11/2008 12:45

Go for it - you need it done and whilst it would be a shame for you to miss the nativity it would be a lot more of a shame for you all to have a rotten Christmas because your gall bladder is knackered and flares up. Just get it done!

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 12:46

Scatty- i don't know. I can get a lift though so wouldn't be too bad.

OP posts:

M44 · 14/11/2008 12:48

I had my op on the tuesday morning, home weds, looked after the children thursday and it was a difficult case according to my surgeon. I would say go for it- I felt like a new woman the minute I wole up from the anaesthetic!

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 12:49

That is encouraging M44. . Thanks.

OP posts:

TheMadHouse · 14/11/2008 12:56

Tort as I have said before, I had mine done at 20 weeks preg with DS1. PM op home that evening, next day in bed and back to work the day after. Thinking of that now I am . But I didnt have any childrent o look after, just me and the cat

TheMadHouse · 14/11/2008 12:58

Oh yes just think all that food you will be able to eat over christmas. I think you shoud do it, but really it is down to you

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 13:00

Thanks TMH.
I will have to talk to me friend at school later and see if the 9th would be a problem for her. I wish my Mum still lived nearby and not 100s of miles away.

OP posts:

FiveDollarShake · 14/11/2008 13:25

Hi Tort....Just to let you know that my Mum had her gall bladder removed last week and she is fine and relieved that its all over ( she's been on the waiting list for months!) The only thing getting her down is not being able to drive!

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 13:29

Thanks Fivedollar. Driving not a problem as i don't drive . I have only been waiting sice Sept. Pleased that being sorted quickly. Just bad timing with school plays.

OP posts:

WingsofaAngel · 14/11/2008 13:35

I had mine done at least 7yrs ago now. It was done key hole I went in had the op in the afternoon and was home by lunch time the next day. I felt a little stiff but apart from that it was fine.

Just something for you to think about, what would you do if you had an attack before the plays or during Christmas it would spoil things for you wouldn't it.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Original poster

tortoise · 14/11/2008 13:45

Thanks wings. Hadn't thought about that. It is a very good point. Haven't had an attack for a while and is bound to happen at the worst time lol!

OP posts:

Blinglovin · 14/11/2008 13:55

Definitely do it now. Absolute worst case is you miss the nativity play, which while sad, is much better than having a gallbladder attack over christmas and not being able to have the operation in January - remember, if you get a gall bladder infection as a result of an attack, they will normally not operate until all the swelling has gone down.

WingsofaAngel · 14/11/2008 14:00

It the worst came to the worst and you couldn't make the play will someone be able to record it for you ?

wendylanguage · 14/11/2008 15:47

IMO: Do it before Christmas! Health comes first not nativity plays and you'll probably still be able to make that even if you just get out of bed, go to play, go home and get back in bed! Echo other posts, you don't want to have an attack over Crimbo. MIL has gall bladder probs have seen it in action (well, not literally) just get it done!
Hope you make your decision and are happy with it.

procrastinatingparent · 14/11/2008 16:12

Umm. No personal experience of this but my mother just had it done and was rushed back in excruciating pain two days later for more surgery. Her complication is apparently rare, though.

All the best whatever you decide.

meebles · 14/11/2008 16:25

Perhaps you should bear in mind that it's always possible that thy might have to convert from a keyhole op to an open surgery, which would mean you were in for longer than you would expect, and would have a much longer recovery time due to bigger incision etc.

I can see that it would be nice to have it out of the way before xmas though. I'm a little fed up at the prospect of no christmas dinner etc., as I'm not even on the waiting list with my gall bladder yet.

AussieLou · 14/11/2008 17:39

I went in for mine, having been told that it was keyhole and would be day surgery, take an hour or so and wouild be out that evening. Five hours later I am still on the operating tabnle, in hospital for 6 days and lost 20kg in a month.
Go for the later option just in case.

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