Bricking it - Surgery experiences?

[DalekSec]

I had surgery around November time, i'm naturally a very very very anxious person, have panic attacks etc.

 

It was weird during all the appointments before the op i felt sick i was nervous close to panic attacks. But when it came to the actual day i was absolutely fine, no nerves what so ever! No idea why. The hospital was very good and the surgery went fine.

[Jayellcee]

Had that exact op! Put it off for ages, but went for it in the end and it was the best thing I ever did!

Minimal pain after the op (back at work within a week) and now totally cured from the condition.

[Scotbynature]

Where to begin. I have had a car accident where I broke both my legs and had to be cut out of my car. I have had multiple surgeries in the last 15 years as a result.

 

There is no point listening to other peoples stories and try not to look it up online. Surgery is only ever done when absolutely required and just keep telling yourself this, if there is a chance of the surgery even helping with 10% of your problems is the risk of discomfort afterwards not worth it.

 

Also, Codeine is not the only drug that they have on offer. When you say you cannot take Codeine, are you allergic or just dont like the feeling as there are many different itterations of the drug and it took me a while to settle on one that worked for me. Although they are all classed under the Codeine umbrella their chemical make up and way they attach to the neuro transmitters in the brain work slightly different so may be worth talking to the doctor, or better a pain management specialist, if you can.

 

If I could go and have another procedure to help with my ongoing pain I would go tomorrow.

 

If you have never been put under and operated on then it can be a daunting experience but the Nurses and Doctors in the NHS are fantastic and will take great care of you.

 

Goodluck.

[Andrew_C]

My daughter is slated for this same op on Friday. I'll let you know how she fares...

[AMLinington]

You need to report that person on the booking line though - that is very unprofessional and she needs to be stopped

 

LOL yes - my mother said the same thing. We're going to wait until I actually have a confirmed booking before we make trouble for the booking team though lol When my mum rang them on my behalf (I was busy at work) she got the same horror story. Mum was appalled at her unprofessionalism.

[AMLinington]

Where to begin. I have had a car accident where I broke both my legs and had to be cut out of my car. I have had multiple surgeries in the last 15 years as a result.

 

There is no point listening to other peoples stories and try not to look it up online. Surgery is only ever done when absolutely required and just keep telling yourself this, if there is a chance of the surgery even helping with 10% of your problems is the risk of discomfort afterwards not worth it.

 

Also, Codeine is not the only drug that they have on offer. When you say you cannot take Codeine, are you allergic or just dont like the feeling as there are many different itterations of the drug and it took me a while to settle on one that worked for me. Although they are all classed under the Codeine umbrella their chemical make up and way they attach to the neuro transmitters in the brain work slightly different so may be worth talking to the doctor, or better a pain management specialist, if you can.

 

If I could go and have another procedure to help with my ongoing pain I would go tomorrow.

 

If you have never been put under and operated on then it can be a daunting experience but the Nurses and Doctors in the NHS are fantastic and will take great care of you.

 

Goodluck.

 

I can't take codeine at all - the side effects cause me more pain than the pain they treat. I have a pile of Naproxyn left from when my back went so I reckon I'll be fine. Failing that I have the old 'Rock in a sock' method XD

[TheManFromIT]

18 months since my last surgery. 4th brain op.

 

Genuinely asked by one of the kids at school last week how I bumped my head...

[mikes]

I need to have an operation on my testicle, I have a hydrocele which makes them massive (sorry for too much info) - about the size of a small chicken egg !

the NHS claim hydroceles do not hurt and are only cosmetic but mine aches badly, as the skin is physically being stretched by the water pressure of them filling up with fluid. the NHS said they don't like to operate on them but they will if it is causing me pain.

 

I made the mistake of watching a hydrocelectomy on youtube and it looked brutal. the surgeons I watched, well they did not seem to have a delicate touch let's just say that. it put me right off.

 

I read that in the USA, people simply could not afford the $10,000+ for the operation and ended up draining them themselves with an 18G needle, so that's exactly what I did! I got some needles off the net and that was that! I went to the doctor, he gave me antibiotics and said he saluted my courage! i still said i didn't want the op but unfortunately they have filled back up to the same size again :-(

 

and like the others have said, are you allergec to codeine or to all opiates such as morphine? tramadol is synthetic though it does have side effects; it made me dizzy and taking it 1st thing in the morning actually made me throw up sometimes. i would actually be careful driving on them for the first few days as i cut someone up on a roundabout on them, and now the law has changed - the packaging now has a "new advice for drivers" section

Edited July 13, 2018 by mikes

[elsiegee40]

I need to have an operation on my testicle, I have a hydrocele which makes them massive (sorry for too much info) - about the size of a small chicken egg !

the NHS claim hydroceles do not hurt and are only cosmetic but mine aches badly, as the skin is physically being stretched by the water pressure of them filling up with fluid. the NHS said they don't like to operate on them but they will if it is causing me pain.

 

I made the mistake of watching a hydrocelectomy on youtube and it looked brutal. the surgeons I watched, well they did not seem to have a delicate touch let's just say that. it put me right off.

 

I read that in the USA, people simply could not afford the $10,000+ for the operation and ended up draining them themselves with an 18G needle, so that's exactly what I did! I went to the doctor, he gave me antibiotics and said he saluted my courage! i still said i didn't want the op but unfortunately they have filled back up to the same size again :-(

 

and like the others have said, are you allergec to codeine or to all opiates such as morphine? tramadol is synthetic though it does have side effects; it made me dizzy and taking it 1st thing in the morning actually made me throw up sometimes. i would actually be careful driving on them for the first few days as i cut someone up on a roundabout on them, and now the law has changed - the packaging now has a "new advice for drivers" section

 

I’m female which probably helps when reading your post... but even I am wincing. This definitely doesn’t sound like routine surgery. I hope it is successful for you.

[MkII]

I had that exact op. You're brave postponing it considering the fantastic relief it brings.

 

I was writhing about on the doctor's floor during one episode. Apparently it's natural to lie on your left side to help drain the blockage in your gall bladder.

 

Once you know about it though and avoid the trigger foods and take the drugs, it's not so bad.

 

I had zero pain and mild discomfort afterwards. Certainly nothing to worry about. Great to get back on the spicy/greasy/stodgy for again after lol!

[Andrew_C]

Well, I've heard from Daughter C. She's out of surgery, and feeling OK.

 

More detail when I have it. I suspect she's sleeping (or trying to - in hospital)

[dry]

Had the exact op. Pain after surgery was there but was mild. Didn't need the amount of coedine given to me at the hospital and switched to paracetamol after a few days. Back to work a couple of weeks later.

 

Pros massively outweighed the cons for me. Try not to over think it- it's a normal operation done on thousands every year. Such a relief not worrying about when the next random burst of pain is going to come.

 

Good luck.

[localzuk]

Due to my, let's just say, lack of perception of danger as a kid, I have had at least 2 dozen operations with general anaesthetic in my life to try and fit bits of me back together. So many that I've basically got used to them and don't worry about them any more - I actually worry more about having bloods taken, which is kinda odd. Its all very clinical, and the people doing the actual job are a lot more caring and professional than whoever that receptionist was!

 

I would say this - the painkillers the hospital can give you will beat that pain into oblivion. It is rare that pain after an operation is worse than that which you experienced before it in my experience. You should focus on the positive of it all - after its done, you won't have any more problems with your gallbladder!

[SpuffMonkey]

Had a few big ops myself - the thing that freaked me out last time (last November) was signing the consent form that has a risk assessment on it that shows your chance of surviving the op as a percentage.

Since I don't have a choice about whether to do it - its information I really don't need or want (specially as it was under 60%)!

[AMLinington]

Reading all the accounts of others who've had Gall bladder surgery has really helped - thanks all :-) I've had GA before - Wisdom Teeth and a minor corrective procedure to fix a tiny deformity - so I'm okay about the anaesthetic side of things, I think it's just the first time I've had something 'internal' so to speak - Wisdom teeth were.... unpleasant, but you can SEE the mouth - when it's inside you, you can't tell if the pain is normal or an infection or what.

 

The episodes of pain I've had have been brutal at times - 'passing out and vomiting' brutal. I can't imagine it'll be worse than that. I just think that unprofessional receptionist got in my head - the variety of experiences from you guys seems to indicate her experience is the exception rather than the rule.

[Andrew_C]

Daughter_C was home within the day, and is now recovering well.

[witch]

@AMLinington Dont forget to report that receptionist as soon as you have your date booked

[Sylv3r]

I've had that exact same operation - best decision I ever made. Went through the pain for around 4 or 5 years before we eventually worked out what it was.

 

Was in and out of hospital in around 5 - 6 hours. Felt absolutely fine, had fish and chips for me tea and took it easy for a few days but other than that couldn't believe how great I felt. I was off work for 3 weeks - my operation fell the week before christmas so it was mostly during the holidays anyway. I was advised not to drive for 3 weeks, which I stuck to but I imagine I would have been alright from a discomfort point of view after about 2 weeks.

 

I reguarly went out for walks whilst I was off and although did feel a little more tired than usual after the first few days, it was good to get out for a bit freshair.

 

Didn't have to return to the hospital afterwards and I just keep the dressing clean and removed it after about a week and a half when it started to loose it's stick - 4 small marks form the incisions but other than that you can't really see any major scar.

[AMLinington]

@AMLinington Dont forget to report that receptionist as soon as you have your date booked

 

Update - apparently that receptionist is 'no longer employed by us'.... XD I clearly wasn't the only one to object to her approach.

[AMLinington]

Post Surgery Update:

 

Well. I'm a week post-surgery and whilst the surgery itself went okay, the pain management post-op was.... not great. Despite the pushy day nurse (who was incredibly lazy and CBA to look after the post-surgical patients on her ward) who kept trying to make me 'mobilise' and go home, I ended up staying the night once the night staff came in and the nice night nurse saw my chart....

 

Healing was going okay, but the last couple of days something has gone horribly wrong. The pain is increasing and I cannot take a deep breath without having to push on my side like I have broken ribs otherwise I get a pinchy pain under the rib cage on the right hand side. I should be able to be reducing the painkillers by now but I'm still taking the max doses - I was in tears with the pain earlier until I caved and took 2 Tramadol. I phoned the post-op helpline number and the doctor I spoke to told me I should go to A&E. Yeah, right, I can't even sit on the sofa in my house, let alone sit on hard plastic chairs for 6 hours only to be told 'we can't do anything for you'. A&E is a joke. So we've agreed that they are going to try to arrange an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow - it's possible that because my stones were small, I have a couple of 'strays' in the bile duct - which will mean a follow up procedure. My other fear is a hernia of some sort - which is a possibility and might account for why the 'popping' and 'pinching' pain is eased by me holding my ribs and pressing firmly on my side when I breathe in. But they'll need to give me an ultrasound to find out.

 

Either way, I'm not at all as 'up and about' or 'completely okay' as all the other stories in this thread, so clearly there is something wrong. I shouldn't be in this much discomfort.

 

Post-op wasn't fun, not gonna lie. Until they gave me the 'good stuff' I couldn't even breathe in properly, so I'm not thrilled about the idea of follow-up surgery, but at least I know what to expect - it wasn't exactly unbearable - the 'episodes' were, in fact, much MUCH worse. As for the little wounds - a couple of them had epic bruising that is still sickly-yellow now, but they've mostly been pretty good - not at all as sore as I thought they might be. The only one that is really annoying me and actively hurting is the belly-button one where they actually extract the gallbladder - that one has a massive bruise and is pretty sore all the time.

 

I've had a couple of people tell me that they were 'back to work after a week' - I don't know how - I can't even bend properly at the waist, let alone drive, and every time I try to venture out of the house (LeHusband took me up to the local ASDA to return something and buy another pair of these lovely PJ's they have in their Tickled Pink range) I get all fainty and woozy and the pain starts to amp up again. Although I'm not 100% certain that doesn't have something to do with the Tramadol - every time I take it I feel a bit dizzy and go all sweaty and clammy. But 'sweaty and clammy' is about a million times less horrible than the Codeine-related side effects so I'll cheerfully live with it. The other meds are Naproxyn and Paracetamol - both of which have no ill effects (well apart from the gastric irritation of the NSAID, but I'm considering downgrading it to Ibuprofen because it seems to be the Tramadol that is really doing all the heavy lifting where my pain is concerned.

 

So all in all, not as bad as I was expecting by a long shot, but I could really do without whatever these complications are.

[elsiegee40]

Oh dear. I am so sorry to hear of the pain you’re still in.

 

A few years ago I came round from back surgery sure the problem hadn’t been fixed and was promptly proved right as soon as the attempt was made to mobilise me.

 

In my case, they’d sorted one disc prolapse, but it turned out that I had a second which was obscured by the first on the original MRI scan. I went back under the knife a week later and came round the second time knowing that I was fixed... it just felt different.

 

The point of my story, you know when things aren’t right with you. Stand your ground and make a fuss so this is fixed quickly. Good luck... and gentle hugs... from me.

[mikes]

I'm not a doctor but my personal experience with Tramadol is that it can make you a bit faint and lightheaded when you stand up, it also made me nauseated if I took it early in the morning. But after a few days you do get used to the side effects. for me the 30/500 co-codamols worked a lot better than the tramadol with a lot less side effects, but this was for a broken arm so it was probably a lot less painful anyway as it isn't the body core. I once cracked or damaged my rib and the Tramadol didn't really touch the pain :-(

both can cause bad constipation which is not ideal if you suspect a hernia