Gal Bladder Stones/surgery/removal and Breastfeeding

Gall bladder surgery is one of those that CAN be put off. I lived with attacks for over a year before they discovered the problem.

My surgery was outpatient and then I was home on bed rest for 3 days an no lifting over 10 lbs for 2 weeks.

My sister waited almost a year from her diagnosis til her surgery because of her insurance. She had just gotten a new policy and had to wait 6m or it would've been considered pre-existing and they wouldn't cover it.

My vote is that if you are too concerned about it, and you aren't too uncomfortable, then just delay the surgery for a few months.

M.

I had my gallbladder out when my daughter was 4 weeks old and I just pumped enough to get her through until I could feed her again. They told me I only had to wait a few hours after the surgery before it'd be okay to nurse. I pumped more in case I was hurting too bad to be able to.
It was an outpatient thing so I didn't stay the night in the hospital and my husband had a couple days off work to stay home and help me out. I also had a few teenagers from my church lined up to each come one day to help out if I needed it. That worked out great for me! I liked being able to go back to my room and lay down if I needed to and have someone there to watch the kiddos or I could come hang out with them but still not have to lift them. I also froze some meals to have ready for the week or two following the surgery.
I felt great after 2 days then the 2nd week was a little rough but nothing too bad.
Good Luck!

OMG, that sounds just like me a couple years ago!

I had 4 month old, exclusively breast fed girl. I had the surgery laparoscopically, and was home the same night, but it was still a whole day affair. Not fun.

I had husband with me, so I could keep the baby with me, nursing, up until they wheeled me down the hall - that was about 2pm. The surgery was done by 3:30, and I was awake by 4 or so, but sooooo out of it! I did not nurse the rest of that day, but once I got home (around 7:30pm) I did have a friend help me pump (that was awkward, but for real, I was NON FUNCTIONAL). We dumped that milk. By midnight or so, I was able to nurse again, using a bizarre, pillow-assisted reverse football hold. Uncomfortable. By the next afternoon, I was feeling better enough to sit up and nurse more or less the regular way again, with serious pillows and such to protect my incision. I was quite uncomfortable for 2-3 days, but I was feeling better little by little. I did my best to knock off the pain meds as soon as possible, because I didn't like the idea of passing that to the baby, but seriously, I never noticed any effects in her. My husband stayed home for 3 days (1 on surgery day, 2 after), and was a total sweetheart. He would bring me drinks and make me sammiches, and keep Genevieve until she was ready to nurse again, then whisk her away. That part was pretty cool, frankly. :D

If you have a few days to save up some milk, I would definitely do that. If that's not possible, and your baby gets a bottle of formula, or even watered down juice for a feeding or two, it's not the end of the world!!! Your husband should take some time off, if at all possible. And don't be surprised if he totally steps up to the plate. He can handle it! And so can you. Good luck with everything.

Hi there, S.: I have had gall stones for years and have not had an unbearable situation or episode with it that made immediate surgery a reality - - I mean even my Gastroenterologist told me I could delay it until? So unless you are having serious problems, I don't see why you couldn't put the surgery off just like Megan posted previously. Best of luck to you. Even if you do have to have the laporascopic surgery, it is not a big deal but hopefully you can delay the timing of it.

I had gall bladder surgery when my kids were older so I didn't have the breastfeeding issues to contend with but.....my surgery was outpatient. In @ 6am, surgery @8am, home in my bed by 11am. I'm not going to kid ya, it hurt for the 1st 24 hrs. I was on decent pain meds for only 24 hours.

I had attacks for several years and it was misdiagnosed. My surgeon said I won the prize...my largest stone was the size of a large avocado pit (usually they are marble sized). Even at that it was still done through the belly button. Since the docs want you up and moving ASAP to prevent blood cots, the second day after surgery I was up doing light housecleaning. The 3rd day my husband and I went for a 2 mile slow walk in the park. Felt good as new on day 4.

Good luck! If your attacks were as bad as mine I would not defer the surgery.

I was in your EXACT situation... Down to the age of my daughter! I had major gall bladder issues during my pregnancy and had it out 5 months after my daughter was born. When I got my surgery, it was outpatient. I was the first surgery scheduled for the day (7:00am) and it was on a Friday. The recovery time wasn't long and I was up and at it within a couple days and could have been up sooner. So, a weekend following the surgery worked for us. I had 5 small "keyhole" incisions that were quite sore, but not even close to what my c-section pain was like!

Gall bladder issues run in my family and I have friends that have had theirs removed and NO ONE had to stay the night???? Ask about that or get a second opinion. Good luck to you, it will all work out!

I had mine out when my triplets were 3 months. They would not latch so I pumped so that was not a problem. My husband did a great job. At the time I worked full time and he worked evenings so when I got home, he went to work. When I got home, we went right back to that schedule. He was not able to take time off since he would not have gotten paid. I did have some pain, at one time feeling like someone had pulled my ribs apart but we did it.
BTW, their baptism was 3 days after the surgery. The only problem I had was trying to carry one of my girls in the carseat.

I don't have any advice for you. I just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you.

I broke my leg severely when my son was 6 months old. I didn't even have the luxury of knowing ahead of time and didn't have very much milk stored. My exclusively BF son had to have a few bottles of formula and it tore his system up to switch so suddenly. Fortunately as soon as I got out of the hospital I was able to get my supply back up and continue BFing him for another year. If you have enough time I would definitely try to pump as much as possible so you don't have to switch to formula all at once. Also from what I have heard they will tell you to pump and dump for 24 hours after anesthesia. My lactation consultant said that 12 hours is probably sufficient. Be prepared for the fact that pumping after anesthesia is very difficult. I didn't get a letdown in the hospital at all. I dealt with painful engorgement for the entire 3 days I was in the hospital. You might be lucky and have an easier time and I hope so for your sake.

As far as your husband it's not like you are taking a luxury vacation with the girls. This is your health if you need to go into the hospital then it is what it is. He will deal with it. The kids may not get the same care as you would give them but do you think they will be in actual danger. If you think he can keep them alive LOL then do what you have to do. I wonder if there are any postpartum doulas in your area that you could hire for a day. You know the kind that come to help you out with your newborn. That might be a good option for the little one and then your husband could focus on the older child. I know this situation is not ideal and it sucks to be away from your kids (that was the hardest part of being in the hospital for me). but its your health.

As far as the after effects you will probably be okay. If I'm not mistaken most gallbladder surgery is laproscopic meaning that they go in with a camera and really small holes.
Good luck I'll be thinking about you
A.