Open Gallbladder removal?

[BuntyBonus]

I had my gallbladder removed via open surgery on sat (was planned to be keyhole but changed due to complications) Did anyone else on here have theirs removed this way and if so what was recovery like for you?

I did. Keyhole was planned but it was discovered I had a severely infected gallbladder + a 5 cm gallstone, so converted to open surgery. I was in hospital for five days and was quite poorly with some complications (I had a large blood clot and my liver function was all over the place).

I'll be honest, recovery was long but steady. I was pretty much housebound for a month and spent the time either sleeping or watching box sets. I couldn't drive for a month either. I had to sleep on my back, propped up on pillows for several weeks.

Definitely keep on top of the painkillers and take them regularly rather than when you feel pain. I couldn't even bear the weight of a duvet on my scar or clothes rubbing against it. I went back to work on a phased return after six weeks (which was probably too soon). I also had zero appetite and had to force myself to eat.

I'd say after two months I was back to normal and have had no further pain. Only time I can feel it is when I sneeze! The scar is virtually unnoticeable now after two years (I had 19 staples in the wound, plus the scars from the keyhole attempt).

Please ask if you have any questions before or after surgery. Everyone seems to have keyhole and I couldn't find anyone who had had open surgery to compare notes with.

I had mine keyhole, so can't help, but just wanted to say I hope all goes well for you. It will be worth it, truly.

Thank you that’s really useful. My experience sounds pretty similar to yours @fuckweasel with the severe infection plus mine was fused. They have said that might be 8 weeks before back at work so will plan for that I think. Feel shattered at the moment. Am very relieved it’s out but was obviously expecting an easier recovery with keyhole. I really hope I can drive before a month as am pretty rural. I’m the same with food, zero appetite but forcing it so that I can take the painkillers.
Thank you for such a comprehensive reply, everything I’ve read until now has been about keyhole surgery.

My DH had keyhole surgery but I understood it to be quite a long recovery time for open surgery. Either way it's still majory surgery so please take it easy, it worked very well for my DH and I hope it does for you too.

No advice as I had mine removed by keyhole surgery. Take care of yourself and hope you have a speedy recovery.

Hi @fuckweasel If you happen to see this did you have any problems with swallowing at all? I feel like something is blocking at the bottom of my throat if that makes sense? I’m trying to eat as need to to take the painkillers but it’s a real struggle. Also not been to the loo for over 4 days now which doesn’t help!
Like you say there is loads of info on keyhole surgery but difficult to find anything about open.

Hi. I don’t remember having problems swallowing but the few days after surgery are a bit vague from a combination of being quite unwell and the ketamine I had for pain relief. It was definitely a few days before having a poo! The nurses asked every time they did obs! Be warned that it may take a few days for your bile production to settle and it can pass straight through you. This only lasted a day or two though.

Wow - ketamine, that is strong stuff! I had morphine but first day without it today.
Quite a shock really to think going in for a relatively straightforward procedure and then it becoming more complex. My wound pain already not as bad today so that’s something, am keeping in top of the painkillers. Am so swollen though. Ah well box set city for me!

My ex had this done, OP - the base of his throat was painful too, and he was told it was because of the airway tube they use during surgery. He was in quite a lot of pain, but back driving locally within 4 weeks and completely recovered in about 6

Do you still have a drain in. to allow for any remaining "gravel"? If so they'll take that out between 6 - 12 weeks post surgery

No, my drain got taken out 2 days later. That’s interesting about the airway tube, that also makes sense. Thank you for all the advice. Am hoping it will be worth it in the long run! Despite all the pain I do feel better in some ways - I think I felt low level unwell all the time before even when not having an attack.