EExperiences of laparoscopic gall bladder removal especially in someone under 30

I’m much older than your DD but it was easy as pie, honestly. As pp said, it’s an incredibly common op (I think one of the three most common in the uk along with hip and knee replacements?). I totally understand it feels dramatic for us undergoing it, but it might help to think about how dead boring/standard it is for the surgical team.

Recovery was super-easy and not at all painful. Have had zero issues since, except my stomach isn’t overly impressed if I eat several high-fat meals sequentially (found this out over Christmas…)

Good luck to her (and to you - it’s not very fun when your kids have surgery)

Ds is 22, lost a lot of weight and got gallstones. Not long ago and all went fine, op at 5pm home at 10pm. Paracetamol the next couple of days and that’s it.

Friend had hers removed a week after giving birth aged 22.

She said that not only was the post op discomfort nothing, she hadn't even noticed she'd gone into labour until she went to the bathroom and found someone on the way out, her pain had been so bad throughout pregnancy.

I had mine removed at 27, 4months after my eldest DC1 was born.
I've had no real problem since, I can eat a normal - not low fat diet without issue. I do suffer a little with a leaky bile duct, but as long as I eat some breakfast in the morning and 2 other sensible meals a day there's no real issue but it took a while to figure this out.
Wishing your DD a speedy recovery.

Had mine out 18 years at age 28 with two children under 3. Quick recovery never has any issues since

I had mine out in my 30s and it was such an immediate relief and I had a quick recovery with no complications.

that was a decade ago and I’ve had no issues since.

Also, my surgeon advised a diet going forward that was high in fibre and low in unhealthy fats, plenty of fruit and veg, everything in moderation. Basically, the advice any doctor would give anyone.

I had mine out at age 28. I had 2yo DC1 at the time.

The hardest part was getting a doctor to take me seriously about the pain, on the path to diagnosis. I was misdiagnosed with an ulcer to begin with and had a barium swallow which ruled that out. I was eventually diagnosed by means of an ultrasound.

It turned out I had a big stone in my bile duct. The laparoscopic operation took longer than anticipated because of that, but recovery was completely straightforward. I took DC1 on a long haul flight, on my own, a month later.

I had mine removed aged 29. I went in for keyhole surgery but then they had to open me up. It took me ages to get over that surgery.

I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically when I was 27 (I'm now 31). Absolutely no issues at all with the actual op- was in and out of hospital within a day. I think the surgery took about an hour-ish. Had some minor gas pain in my shoulder the next few days, as other replies have mentioned, but only needed paracetamol for that. Was signed off work for 2 weeks but could have gone back after a few days to be honest!!

I did struggle a bit off and on in the next couple of years with what I can only describe as phantom gallbladder attacks (literally same symptoms/pain but obviously no gallbladder). But have worked out that as long as I drink 2L of water a day and avoid super oily food (and randomly tomato soup??) then I'm fine - havent had one of those episodes in over 18 months now

I had mine out, late 30s. It was all straightforward. I woke up in recovery and was taken to a ward. The next day, I had the 'bends' a little, which is normal - uncomfortable but not impossible (as per @xSnowFairyx ). I stayed in hospital for 2 or 3 days? I can't completely remember but it was not very long. My first day home, MIL came to look help after DD1, who was about 11mos. The next day, I went to work (part-time 2ndry teacher) and after that I never looked back.

Digestion-wise, it's all been fine. Maybe they advised me not to eat fatty foods but I don't remember and I certainly eat plenty of them without any ill effects.

I’ve had a laparoscopy surgery for endometriosis- so no advice on gallbladder I’m afraid.

For a laparoscopy they will inflate your daughters abdomen with gases (just so they can see what they’re doing) and afterwards it’s pretty painful as the gas tries to escape the body. I got really bad shoulder pain from the gas. Peppermint tea really helps, or peppermint capsules. The scars are so tiny and not noticeable either (just incase she’s worried about scarring with her being young)

I hope it all goes well for her x

I was 29 having mine out.

I’m not going to pretend its been trouble free. My digestive system has never returned to normal and I manage it with a combo of Mounjaro (a happy accident in terms of a side effect alongside its intended weightloss benefits) and lopermide.

But, still, not taking it out was not an option, and I will take rushing to the loo over excruciating pain and misery any day of the week!

The actual op was easy - I was up and about the next day, and back to normal in about a week! The worst bit was the post op gas moving around.

Please advise her to eat a low fat diet if she can - I firmly believe I made my situation worse by not helping myself in the first couple of years post op. Lots of people resume life as normal!!

Not had one. But helped in 1000s of cases as they are bread and butter to a general surgery team.

Shortest I've seen was 14mins from KTS. Some do take hours but it's rare.

They are 99% of the time straightforward. And I don't think I've seen one convert to laparotomy

I was 25 when I had mine, back in 2007. Recovery was fine, took a couple of weeks to feel okay and I had some shoulder tip pain, which was unpleasant but 1000 times less painful than the horrible gallstones!

I've had no issues at all in the 18+ years since, I didn't even adjust my diet afterwards and was fine. I hope your daughter has a successful op and recovers well and fully!

I had mine done age 27. No issues apart from not being able to eat McDonald’s fries for years

I was 19 and in uni. Once it had been removed I felt a million times better, recovery was fine. Slight shoulder pain from the gas bubbles.
One thing to note is that I was advised not to eat high fat foods after, anything fried made me ill. Especially sausages randomly. I stopped eating anything fried and no issues with it since. This was 18 years ago almost!

She is very young to need a gallbladder removal - poor girl. Hope all goes well.