Gallbladder Removal

[leighdinglady]

Hi

My DH has been in hospital for a second night in a month with horrific gallstones. Poor thing threw up all over their floor because the pain was so bad (poor cleaner too!) They gave him morphine and it seems to have passed but they're booking him in to have it removed.

Has anyone had it removed? Can you tell me what the recovery time is like and any after effects?

[treaclesoda]

I've had mine removed. For me the recovery was very quick, I was back at work after a week and only needed painkillers for a couple of days after the operation.

[leighdinglady]

Thank you. The surgeon told us recovery was quick and he'd likely be up and around the next day, but that just seemed very unbelievable!

[mehimthem]

I had a horrible gallbladder attack at Easter weekend & was ambulanced to hospital (not UK) - in case it was infected etc. From then I was booked for an ultrasound which identified I had large & multiple gallstones so was booked to have it removed. The surgery went well about 4 weeks ago, done by laparoscopy. so 4 small incisions with about 3 or 4 metal clips in each. They were taken out about a week later & all good. I think I would have been set to return to work about then, office job, but had also contracted a disgusting cold so had been coughing & spluttering while desperately holding my belly, lol. I have now been back at work 2 full weeks, so def agree with your surgeon that your DH should feel much better pretty soon. Good luck. I had initially thought to manage my gallbladder symptoms with diet, but what the heck, I am still able to eat most foods & think that as 1,000's of people have this surgery each year many of us are managing without our gallbladders.

[TapStepBallChange]

Had mine out a few years ago, could just walk the next day, but not much, was up and about a lot more after a week, driving after two, back at work after 3. Brilliant operation, no more nasty attacks. Only downside is I've put back on the weight that I lost when I didn't eat much due to attacks

[PopcornBits]

Recovery is quick but I definitely didn't feel good to go after a week.
Recovery for me was extremely painful I couldn't lie down the first couple of nights so slept in a chair, I couldn't twist my body or sit down properly. I was tender everywhere felt like my insides were just like jelly.

Everyone recovers differently though, some don't even have pain.

[leighdinglady]

Thank you everyone. We're just waiting on the MRI to see if his pancreas or liver are blocked. Fingers crossed they're not and it'll be straightforward. The attacks looked horrific. Before he knew what it was he thought he was having a heart attack

[CrystalMethHog]

I'm awaiting confirmation of the date of my surgery! Let me know how it goes!

[moosemama]

I had mine removed three weeks ago. Laparoscopic, so 4 small incisions, which were closed with dissolving stitches and then glue.

I have been mobile since the day of the op and would say I am just starting to get back to normal now, but have been relatively active at home the whole time, whilst avoiding any heavy lifting and twisting/stretching. I started walking to and from school with my daughter part way through week 2, but could probably have done it sooner if I'd needed to. I have only just been able to sleep on my side in the last couple of days as well.

What took me by surprise was how exhausted I was for the week afterwards. I would literally fall asleep half way through a conversation.

[OneForTheRoadThen]

I had mine out in February. I went home the same day. The first couple of days were painful but it was manageable after that. I was out and about but I had a 7 month old so didn't really have a choice! I think it is recommended to have 2 weeks off work.

[snoopyokay]

I am waiting to have mine out too, does anyone mind me asking how long you had to wait for the op if you were not an urgent case?
I've been told about 6 month wait...

[leighdinglady]

My DH was told up to a year, but then had a second attack within a month (he's had more since!) so has been told it'll be in the next month now.

I imagine it varies by area. If you have an attack make sure you go in, as they might bump you up the list

[snoopyokay]

Thanks Leigh, your poor DH! I am managing okay with painkillers and only been to A & E once touch wood, don't want to have the op at Christmas time as I want to be able to eat loads then haha.

[Groovee]

I got mine out and about 8 days later felt ok to get up and within 2 weeks was ok but had longer off work as I work in nursery.

[Eolian]

I waited 8 months from first attack to op, but the op was fine - was only in for the day, back home that night.

[fuckweasel]

I waited four months from being hospitalised with cholecystitis to surgery. I was scheduled for keyhole but it ended up being open surgery (after the surgeon had given keyhole a go!). I had six weeks of work and went back part time for a few weeks at first. Something to be aware of. The recovery was far, far longer than I anticipated.

[snoopyokay]

Also how do you keep a toddler from climbing on you after an operation, that will be tricky!