Hooray, Pam, I'm glad that itchy and annoying bandage is off, at least. Keep working on range of motion, it'll be better a bit at a time. And after you get the cataract surgery, you'll be able to see it too! (grin) Actually my mother, my stepmother and my Dad all had cataract surgery and they all said it was really quick and easy, so hopefully it really is quick and easy! I'll have to check with Ashley's new MIL about those shoes, she works at the local orthotic footwear store, the place that makes special shoes and sells stuff like Birkenstocks and Uggs. They might even be available here in the sticks! I especially like their advertisement about how if you are old and fat and your knees ache, they'll fix you up with shoes, LOL. Helene, I'm glad you are feeling so well. My doc says the same thing, that I can maybe recover faster with PT, but rehab is normally 4 to 6 months and I'll be fine without it if I choose not to participate. As for the stairs, heck, I'm still going down one at a time, so you're probably doing very well. I'm amazed you're getting around so quickly, I can tell you that. I'm doing pretty well too, I think. I'm back to walking to work, and I went to the farm and cut a big maple that had fallen onto the fence line during our last storm. That entailed crawling onto/into/over the tree to cut the ends of the branches that were lying on the fence, and I managed to at least not hurt myself further, balanced with each foot on separate limbs while sawing branches with a hand saw. If I were a REAL farmer I'd have a chain saw.... And I have no problem at all sneezing or laughing, thank goodness, so it appears that my problems are at least dry! Annie

littleonefb, as I said before, I understand there are many, many patients who have their gallbladder removed and do very well. They are in and out of the hospital, often within the same day, and are back to work very quickly. However, there are also many patients who DO have a difficult time recovering and/or DO have post-operative diarrhea that is literally life-altering. Does that mean patients should not have their gallbladder removed? Of course not! Many people MUST have their gallbladder removed, regardless of the potential for post-op problems. If the gallbladder is infected or if it is not functioning properly, then there is no other choice. However, all of this needs to be discussed between the patient and the surgeon prior to surgery. I feel strongly that every patient should have ALL information pertinent to their condition/surgery. However, there are always going to be surgeons who don't take some time and do a thorough job explaining the surgery and the possible complications. The reason I said 'if I had it to do all over again, there's no way I'd do it again' is because after all was said and done, my surgery was not really necessary. I was having acute abdominal pain and gallstones were found on an ultrasound. With no further testing, a surgeon immediately decided I needed surgery. I was pretty out of it on pain meds so I didn't have much say so in the whole matter. Once my surgery was over, I was very frustrated to learn that I was still in the same pain and then later I was bombarded with the terrible diarrhea (which I'd NEVER had before) that has now been going on for over 6 years. I have been to many GI docs and have had every test known to mankind and they all say it is due to having my gallbladder out. My mom and my aunt have had the same experience. However, they are much older than I and they are not able to control theirs very well. They must wear protective undergarments because they never know when it is going to hit and they often do not make it to the bathroom in time. littleonefb, I'm not sure why you became so defensive. I am only trying to help make people aware of some potential complications from this surgery. I'm not just making this stuff up! Why would I? You can do a Google search and you will find all kinds of information regarding this. I also find it very hard to believe that a surgeon who does cholecystectomies all the time has never once had a patient complain of post-op diarrhea. For those who are interested, I have attached a link for more info. It is just one of many you can find through Google. As I said before, I'm not telling anyone not to have the surgery, just be well informed. Do your research, find a reputable surgeon and ask lots and lots of questions. Here is a link that might be useful: Diarrhea after Gallbladder Surgery

What does the nurse mean just leave it?? I had it and found it very uncomfortable~~I had a Hysterectomy (sp) My dr tried to fit me with a pessary it just kept falling out once it shot clear out LOL!! For years I suffered with this for no reason, my Dr said alot of women have it no big deal, I got a new GYN that took one look at me and said no way, having surgery was the best thing for me~~~as Carol said you need to see and dr and be informed of your options not just leave it.

haha....don't think you will need more than 5 mg Valium LOL. I am a retired RN and I can assure you it is plenty. Your MD will make sure you are comfortable and they ask you to tell them how you are and adjust accordingly. I chatted with the anesthesiologist and the surgical RN ( they were friends) for the whole first part...you will be GOOD. Stop worrying. If you look up Vicodin and codeine you will see they are both part of the opioid family and that Vicodin is the most strong of the two. Look at the side effects of Vicodin and there you have it. The most common side effects of Vicodin include lightheadedness,dizziness, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, drowsiness,constipation, headache, mood changes, blurred vision, ringing in your ears, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating.Apr 25, 2015 Side Effects of Vicodin (Hydrocodone Bitartrate and ... - RxList www.rxlist.com/vicodin-side-effects-drug-center.htm As it happens an anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen combined with Tylenol ( 2 of each) taken every 12 hrs will give you MUCH more relief as the opioids only mask a problem and do not stop the inflammation that is causing the problem . Too bad that so many MD's reach for the high powered narcotic rather than the OTC that is actually doing something and is cheaper and way fewer side effects. Not sure about the insistence on unbalance etc with mono-vision. When prescribed by the Opthamologist it isn't a random occurrence as suero is describing. It is a very well thought out ratio. I won't say any thing further but it certainly doesn't lead to unbalance etc or forcing of the eyes...it is extremely subtle and the brain gets used to it almost immediately except in a small percentage of cases. Enough said :) Good Luck and you WILL be fine. c