Gallbladder surgery- wwyd?

[BlueAbacus]

Hi all, I have had two crippling abdominal pain episodes in the last ten days, the most recent one was so painful I called 111 and ended up in a&e. Bloods fine (no inflammation or infection) but diagnosed with gallstones after ultrasound. Doc said they won’t go away and it’s low fat diet or surgery, basically. He advised the NHS waiting list is very long for non emergency surgery right now for obvious reasons, and luckily I have the option to go private due to work health insurance.

My question is, what would you do?

General anaesthetic and surgery terrify me, equally so does this pain (albeit intermittent) being a constant part of my life. I have started reading about diet control but it seems haphazard and in my own, very limited, experience, the night I ate a pizza last week was not the night I had an attack! Obviously I can see the benefit of having it out when I am well and it’s not infected and hasn’t got critical, but it feels a bit like I’m making the choice to have elective surgery.

Not sure if it’s relevant but I’m 35, 2 young children, mildly overweight (just lockdown and postpartum) otherwise fit and healthy.

Any experiences or thoughts would be much appreciated.

I'm currently awaiting my scan next month. I'm certain that they'll find gallstones, so this thread has been helpful.

I've had three attacks to date, all very unpleasant. My main priority is to try and minimise attacks happening while I'm waiting for the surgery. So far, I've found that my best strategy is to eat very lightly in the evenings - smaller portions. I seem to be able to eat more earlier in the day. Any other tips would be welcomed!

Definitely get it done. I had crippling episodes of gallbladder pain. It was right up there with childbirth. It got worse no matter how much I adjusted my diet. Ended up eating next to nothing and extremely bland food only. Had it removed in 2007 and never had issues since. You have my sympathy op.

Just thought I would update given all your kind messages and support. Had surgery this morning and already eaten and in bed at home. In pain but so relieved after another two attacks last week needing A&E for pain relief. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

To clarify: I’m in pain in a kind of sore ‘I just had surgery’ way, nothing more!

Fingers crossed that all your issues are now behind you and that you feel better very soon.

Glad it got done! I’m very impressed you made it home the same day - I was in for two nights after surgery! Wishing you a speedy recovery.

@StatisticallyChallenged

I'm another of the rare folk who has had symptoms rear their ugly head again afterwards - they're not really sure why.

But even then I'd say get the bastard out ASAP as the post removal issues aren't as frequent and I've learned to anticipate and manage them better now that I know it can happen (for me that's buscopan, tens machine and diclofenac) which I wasn't able to do with the actual gallbladder. Most likely sphincter of oddi dysfunction but getting it diagnosed, let alone treated, is a challenge.

Gallbladder pain is a special level of hell and the surgery is really ok. I had mine out 5 weeks after a c section and was exclusively breastfeeding so it didn't floor me too badly.

I've Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome too, there's been various studies that link it to laparoscopic removal due to surgical adhesions, striation of the common bile duct and bile duct damage due to cauterisation. Open surgery carries fewer of these risks.

I'm needing to take strong oxycodone to deal with the pain of the attacks, I've also developed chronic pancreatitis due to bile irritating my pancreatic duct.

My dx was stones stuck in the CBD, they found between 75-100 large stones in my gallbladder on removal, the consultant who did the surgery (very senior) said the main stone stuck in the CBD was the largest he'd seen and he was keeping it as a souvenir!

Despite my problems I'd take up the surgery offer again rolling back the clock knowing how I'd be affected. Gallstone pain is horrific, if you don't you'll be begging them to rip it out very, very, soon.

Have a good recovery @BlueAbacus

In all serious have you tried Tens @WhipperSnapperSteve? You can pick one up on Amazon for about £20 and it's honestly been transformative. It makes the attacks both easier to deal with and much quicker for me. I was on morphine, diclofenic and a few others and it has made such a difference. As soon as I get the first hint of a twinge I whack it on and it often stops it turning in to a full blown, rocking and rolling on the floor job.

Please have it removed. I've been suffering for years but wasn't diagnosed until last year and my consultant won't remove mine until I have lowered my BMI. The attacks are getting more and more regular and I just wish I could get mine removed NOW 😔 and not have to wait. If you have the opportunity to get it taken out, please do

Out of interest @KezzabellaB, what BMI are they willing to operate at?

@paralysedbyinertia

Out of interest *@KezzabellaB*, what BMI are they willing to operate at?

Tbh he hasn't given me a BMI but rather a weight. I need to be less than 85kg and at present am over 100kg. I'm struggling to lose weight too, (menopause? Not sure) despite trying really hard. But the consultant point blank refuses to remove it until I lose the weight. He did offer me bariatric surgery though 🙄

Ah. I see you've had yours out already OP. Great stuff

Thanks for clarifying, @KezzabellaB. I hope you're able to get the operation soon.

I'm currently awaiting a scan, have an appointment for next week. It's over a month since my last attack, so not desperate for the operation yet. Will wait and see what they say.

@paralysedbyinertia

Thanks for clarifying, *@KezzabellaB*. I hope you're able to get the operation soon.

I'm currently awaiting a scan, have an appointment for next week. It's over a month since my last attack, so not desperate for the operation yet. Will wait and see what they say.

See what they say definitely, but would 100% recommend the surgery. I'd be in hospital like a shot if they'd agree to remove it. Good luck with it all

That’s the right decision OP, I had surgery quite a few years ago, the best thing ever to be able to eat without fear of that awful pain. Good luck.

I wondered if anyone else on here is a diabetic that had their gallbladder removed? I seem to be taking a long time for my incisions to heal and perhaps that is why. I am doing everything as normal now 4 weeks later. I did not have any help so had to cook and do everything on my own but at 4 weeks I started to do vacuuming and lifting child who weighs 40 pounds I still have some pain and also am "spitting stitches" there are some wiry pieces sticking out of the incisions and I was told over phone to just trim them however I have poor vision and can't see well enough to do it so they catch on clothing etc. Anyone else experience that? I also have 5 incisions and although I did not have any time to research it did not expect that. Due to COVID and the busyness of the emerg room I was not really spoken to as for why until I called after surgery and was told that it is just that it was my anatomy and scar tissue. I had the surgery around 9pm and went home in the morning. One of the bigger incisions is above my belly button. I am doing much better than I was the first few days and am glad I had it out but it was done as an emergency so I had no time to prepare. Thanks for any comments.