Gallbladder Removal 2019 - support thread

Still waiting here too, I'm going to have waited a year in two weeks time. Had my pre op a couple of weeks ago but have heard nothing since.

Today is a bad pain day, feels like I've been kicked in the sternum.

Fed up of this

@Ispywithmycynicaleye that's rubbish, it's so demoralising waiting isn't it? I know there are reasons why but it doesn't take the discomfort away does it!

Nope, still haven't had my gallbladder out. Still haven't had my knee clinic appointment to sort my torn meniscus I've had for nearly 2 years, still haven't had my neurology appointment to get a proper diagnosis of why my face and leg is numb. Everything seems to have stopped unfortunately. I did (finally) get a telephone consultation for my genetic disorder which needs close monitoring, especially since finding out I had a stroke. No idea how that couldnt have been done before now!?! I have no idea if or when things will start moving again. Crazy times! I hope everyone is ok.

Ispywithmycycnicaleye, sorry to hear about all your woes. I also feel like I'm falling apart. I had my thyroid removed almost 2 years ago, I was referred for a breast lump last year (was a fatty lobule!) then the gallbladder thing kicked off in December. Having had two body organs removed within 18 months I'm beginning to think I will be a head on a robotic body if it carries on - amazing how many parts of you that you can live without though!!

I hope you get good news from the clinic on Wednesday. And that you get a gallbladder op date soon - sounds like things are starting to ease a bit so hopefully elective ops will begin again soon.

@JDHP11 sorry I meant to reply to you ages ago! 2 babies under 2 and doing my degree I barely get any time. It was a good idea at the time haha. No still no date for my op, just another letter of apology. I can't see me getting it this year at all with what's happening. Wow that sounds awful! How are you now? Did you have your op? I hope you are feing much better regardless, it's such a horrendous pain.

Unfortunately my gallbladder is the least of my worries just now. My chin went numb and it turns out it is often a sign of malignancies. I'm waiting on neurology seeing patients again and a couple of days ago I found a lump above my left breast. I'm really hoping it's a cyst. And today I discovered a few more little lumps which I'm assuming are inflamed lymph nodes? I'm not sure. They weren't there yesterday. Breast clinic phoned me this morning, I've to go to hospital on wednesday. 38 years old and I'm falling to bits lol, anyone got sticky tape and PVC glue

@alwayswantchocolate that sounds like such an awful experience! It's amazing how utterly insensitive they can be considering the role they are in. As if dealing with the whole gallbladder problem isnt bad enough! I had similar after my emergency c-section last year. Ended up in high dependency ward after, staff were amazing. After a few days was moved to the ward... midwives couldn't care less and was always such an effort to get them to help. I hope you have fully recovered now.

@breadfortea thanks for the heads up about the troubles urinating and that it sorts itself out. I probably wouldve freaked out too if I didnt know about it after my op. This is why forums like these are great.

Looks like I’m joining you! Need to read back but pretty certain grumbling gallbladder, I’ll post properly ASAP

alwayswantchocolate yes it's much better thank you, 🙂🙂🙂

Thank you breadfortea, that’s reassuring. I hope you’re enjoying your post-gallbladder life 😄

alwayswantchocolate Hi I had my gallbladder out in December. I had to stay over night too, couldnt wee either. It gradually got better over a few days maybe 5 or so. I wasn't too worried as it had happened to me before. I'm not sure if it's the anesthetic or the laparoscopy. Poor you, hope you feel better soon, enjoy your chocolate. All the best.

Hi, I was posting on here a while ago, worried about my gallbladder surgery just before my big cruise holiday! Ha! Who knew coronavirus was just around the corner!!

Cruise was cancelled for obvious reasons. I had the gallbladder surgery yesterday so I’m home recovering now. Gas pains and incision pains are moderate but I’m taking painkillers. And eating a box of milk tray, been so looking forward to eating something nice!

Hospital experience was awful though. Prior to the op was fine, lovely staff, etc. I came round from the anaesthetic feeling really cold and achy and was largely ignored by the recovery room staff who were too busy chatting to each other. Back to the ward where I had a temperature, and a nurse stormed up to me and demanded to know if I’d been abroad in the past two weeks. Anaesthetist jumped to my defence and said it was from the anaesthetic but I was really taken back by her hostility (plus I don’t think you need to go abroad to get it now!).

I’ve also had trouble weeing. I was so dehydrated after the surgery and my throat hurt. My bladder felt completely empty but the nurses kept telling me to provide enough wee. By 10pm I was getting distressed and asking when I could have something to eat (fasting from 8pm the previous day and nothing but a biscuit offered) and when they would make the decision I could stay overnight. They said no to both as I was booked in as a day case. I then said that the only way I could get home due to household lockdown was for my DH to come with our two children on an hour round trip and it was getting late. They just kept saying I’d better get in with it! I was getting upset and also worried as the children wanted to go to bed. Eventually the nurses relented and said I could stay overnight as long as I’d gone before 7am which is when I found out that the hospital has been commandeered by the NHS to manage the influx of patients from 7am this morning. I managed to force out some wee in the night although it was strained and DH picked me up at 6.45am. I had no pain relief, no breakfast, but I couldn’t wait to get away from there. I was the only patient left.

I am still struggling to wee, it’s little bits that I’m forcing out. When I said last night to one of the nurses that I was worried something wasn’t right she laughed at me.

And the follow up number is no longer manned as if 7am as they have officially closed.

Is it ok that I’m still struggling to wee now? I’m getting a lot out with effort but I feel I’m straining my stitches.

@Ispywithmycynicaleye Hi, Did you get an operation date in the end? I was hospitalised for a week at the beginning of the year with Acute Cholecystitis and have been controlling any further attacks with a low fat diet until my Op in (I got my letter today). Previously I had only ever shown very mild niggles of gallbladder issues before earlier this year. Now its under control I’m wondering whether to postpone or just get it out and then its over and done with before it could get infected again. I haven’t had an Op before so I think it’s probably due to that apprehension too.

Hello All, hope everyone is ok.

I had my scan this morning and I have fatty liver and a gallstone which she almost missed, luckily she had me turn on my side and take deep breaths in then back on my back and a deep breath in again and tada there it was. (Not sure on exact size but she said small). My bile ducts were clear and 3.5mm she said it does not appear that I have passed a stone with those measurements. My gallbladder wasn't inflamed or infected. My pancreas looked normal. But my liver was fatty. My results will be sent to the GP in the next 7/10 days. Not sure what the next plan of action will be. I have started a low fat diet off the back of my last painful flare up and I will continue to do so. I'm hoping things can be managed by diet and lifestyle. I will update again when I have seen my GP.

Good luck to all those recovering and waiting.
Xx

I totally forgot to ask if I could have passed a stone....anyway my pain has eased slightly since starting the new acid medication. So I wonder if it’s more stomach/bowel related pain. I’m going to see how it settles over the next few weeks - thanks for helping me on this thread though.

@gallgal so pleased to hear it went well, wishing you a speedy recovery

Just popping back to say the op went well. I was so nervous about the anaesthetic but it was absolutely fine. I have four neat little incisions, currently covered in dressings.

I feel wiped out by the stress and the anaesthetic but the gross feeling I had got used to living with has gone.

I am tentatively hopeful about the future.

Had my gallbladder removed 16 days ago.
Found this thread invaluable on the run up to my surgery.

I went home same day, was sick a couple of times from GA but this has happened to me previously so was expecting it.

Recovery has been good, first few nights were problematic sleeping on my back as too painful to sleep on my side.
Pain relief wise I managed with ibuprofen and paracetamol first 3 days and then paracetamol only til about day 6.

Trapped wind was an issue for a few days but relieved by peppermint tea and lactulose.

Only ongoing issue is itchy scabs on the incisions but feel completely back to normal otherwise.
Totally relieved to be gallbladder free after a debilitating 18 months

Still being careful about what I eat but absolutely no pain or issues so far

Good luck to everyone waiting for their op

Could you have possibly passed the stone naturally?

Had my scan today...no stones in gallbladder and all looks ok so back to the drawing board with what is causing the pain!!

@Fruitbowl33 really hope the scan gives you some answers! I’m sure it will be those pesky stones!

Good luck for your op @gallgal

I had my repeat bloods done and the results were much better. My scan date came through the post yesterday. 26th next week and I don't know why I'm feeling nervous. My symptoms are similar to gallstones and doctor agreed. Just nervous it could be something else.

Hope all goes well @gallgal, let us know how you get on!

good luck @gallgal fingers crossed for you on Saturday x

My op is on Saturday, I'm really nervous about the GA but weirdly not so much about the op itself.

Just want it over and done with now.

Hi all

I had my Surgery last week and I'm not going to lie I have found it really difficult since then.

I didn't react too well to the general anaesthetic and was sick a fair bit after I also couldn't pee so they had to keep me in overnight but I have been home since Friday.

I am generally okay and able to walk about etc but I am having trouble getting up and sitting down, once I am down or up it's fine but when I get up I am almost getting a pulling feeling in my stomach I'm not sure if its bruising or normal but it's like the underside of my belly that hurts and it takes a second to adjust before I can go from standing up to laying down, mainly I think this is due to me having a stomach that hangs as when I sleep it flops to the side anyway!

would be interested to know what you all think and how you are all doing?

xx

I had an ultrasound and an MRI-CP. The ultrasound showed I had gallstones and that the gall bladder was inflamed (along with the bloods). The MRI-CP was required to check whether the stones were blocking the bile duct - which would have affected whether they could operate.

Mine was diagnosed after an ultrasound. I was told I would only be going for an MRI if my liver functions were still raised so they could see if a stone was blocking the duct.