Update: 3 days post op

My previous post was 9 days ago as I waited to be scheduled. They called me on Friday and I was scheduled for Wednesday AM.

Like many others I had never had surgery or been under before and was terrified. It was absolutely fine.

Wednesday got home by 3pm and was still out of it despite thinking I wasn't (lol), and was like man this is gonna be easy!

Thursday, not so much. The pain settled in. I was extremely fortunate to not have much of the gas pain so many talk about. Mine was all muscle aches, like I did a bunch of sit ups. Going from laying or sitting to standing was very painful. I also have had a few rare but very painful "twinges". Like white hot searing pain that lasts for half a second. Where I'd gasp and then it'd pass. Scary still but I'm chalking that up to general discombobulation in my insides.

Friday was similar but more tolerable. One thing I haven't read much is ice packs. My pain is mostly in my bellybutton incision, where they removed the gallbladder, and ice packs are helping an insane amount. I had some discomfort in the middle of the night and ended up sleeping upright in the living room vs propped up in my bed the previous nights.

Saturday (today) I can tell I'm starting to heal more. The muscle aches are lessening when changing positions, and I can stand/walk for longer. The pain is changing a bit to what feels like a very dull ache I'd have with gallstones - center, upper abdomen. I'm icing and just monitoring that, but definitely nothing like an attack. A few random sharp pains and twinges but nothing I'm worried about.

General notes: -pain killers = constipation and I haven't had a proper poo since day before surgery. That said, I'm working on it lol. Nothing is causing me discomfort there yet but something to be mindful of.

-Again, the ice pack thing. I'm not sure if I just missed reading about them here in post op stories but I highly recommend being prepped with a few you can rotate.

-I pigtail braided my hair before surgery! I had 48 hour shower clearance so the braids helped prevent matts from laying down for 2 days. I didn't want to try and rip through tangles while not feeling good either.

-I should have stocked up on liquid IV/electrolytes. I'm having a hard time drinking as much fluid as I should and generally don't have much of an appetite yet.

Kinda rambley here, sorry! I was reading this sub a ton out of anticipation/anxiety while I navigated this so hopefully it helps someone else!