Gallbladder removal - stressed

[Cuddlecouch]

I'm going in for my gallbladder removal at the end of this week. I'm petrified. I know I'm being irrational but I'm worried something might go wrong. I just wanted to ask if anyone has had theirs out recently and how the recovery was? Also, my period is late which means I might be coming on tomorrow, will I be allowed to wear underwear/tampon if I'm having a period? I suffer from extremely heavy periods and am so worried about bleeding through everything.

Hi cuddlecouch I had mine out 18 months ago and it really was no problem at all. Op in the afternoon, stayed in that night for a good sleep, out the next morning, remarkably tiny puncture wound which healed quickly, back to work in a week from home and a fortnight in the office.
the only bummer was an allergy to the pre-op tummy-cleaning fluid gave me an itchy rash for 5 days and I had to scratch around the wounds!
NO possibility of further gallbladder pain - excruciating - made it 100% worth it. Even with the rash.

honestly you really have nothing to worry about. Best of luck.

Yes I keep my underwear on going to op and had them on when I woke - don’t know if they removed them in the meantime of course. Not sure about tampon but a nurse will tell you xx

I had it done approx 18 months ago and was out running within 7 days. I was in for a few hours and out asap as was breastfeeding my baby DD at the time which I managed to continue to do with no issues.

I was on my period and able to wear tampon and underwear.

I think I was very lucky with my recovery tbh but I also didn't have much choice. My only tip would be to buy some soft bras as the wound is right where your bra will sit.

Good luck!

I'm also going in this week to have mine out! I am also nervous Good luck @Cuddlecouch

No tampon. It must be towels. Put two on, one front and one back.

I had mine removed 6 years ago now. It was definitely worth it! Two weeks of not lifting anything heavy and around a week of resting a lot for recovery. Please don't worry.

Thank you for the replies. Had a terrible gallbladder attack this weekend so I'm desperate for the blighted thing to be removed. Likog good luck with your op, I'll report back once I've had mine. I'm being signed off work and am looking forward to sleeping and recovering for a week but knowing my luck there'll be something that happens to spoil my plans!

I had mine out as an emergency last year after the damnable thing got infected and forced me into hospital and on IV antibiotics which did nothing for 3 days.

The OP was so easy, I was terrified of general anaesthetic, to the extent that a few years ago I begged and was allowed to have my broken hand screwed back together with a nerve block while I was still wide awake.

I bloody love GA now, fantastic stuff. Out like a light, wake up 2 seconds later with no awareness of time passing at all but feeling like I've had the best sleep ever.

Recovery was straight forward. Normally just 3 little incisions, I had 4 due to needing a drain to get rid of the infection goop. Tender for a week, especially when actively bending, so while sitting down, standing up, bending over but once in a standing or sitting position it was fine.

I am also nervous about GA and also had a gallbladder attack last night @Cuddlecouch I expect your like me and be glad to get it out!

Having mine out next week and also extremely nervous. The attacks I’ve had have been awful but I still feel so tempted to ring up and cancel. I’m not worried about the GA but about complications during the operation or post-operatively.

I had mine out last year. I was back home 8 hours after surgery and the recovery was fine. I spent the first week or so binge watching Netflix and napping then was back to normal life.

I had mine done 11 years ago, I have had worse trips to the dentists.

I went in for 1.00pm & was at home waiting for soaps to come on before 7.00pm with a takeaway.

Not sure why you say this but I work in theatres and I'm not sure we'd bat an eyelid at a woman with a tampon in for this particular op.

I had mine out three years ago, underwear was on, home in a few hours, up and about next day and back to work in less than a week (although they do say two weeks) best thing ever.

Had mine out a year ago. I had a 6 week old ebf baby recovering from an op and had less than 48 hours to prepare for surgery. I was out by 3pm the same day and home to recover. Bar feeling sore I was alright.

Wore leggings after mine was removed, a structured waist would have been painful.

I went home in my pjs, saved having to struggle to get changed again at home, I wore yoga pants for about a week after I had mine done. I was fine, I drove 24 hours after having it done. Get some Rennie deflatine & peppermint capsules for the gas pain afterwards, take a snack as well, I usually have a tray of mango or melon & a bottle of Lucozade.

Had my op yesterday, was told to remove my tampon which was stressful as I was super heavy at the time. Went in with 2 pads instead as advised here. I really struggled after the op to change pads and put tampon on post op as I was pretty soaked, but then bizarrely my period seemed to stop for about 7 hours. Have to say it has been horrible having a period during this period.

Recovery wise I got home early afternoon, got given co codamol and although was in a lot of discomfort yesterday I was able to eat and drink. Today I'm struggling. I've felt nauseous all day and have been sick too which has really hurt internally. I'm not sure why I'm sick today, but maybe it's the cocodamol as I never usually take them. I'll stop taking them. Has anyone else been sick after the op? I've also had a lot to drink (peppermint tea, water etc) but am not weeing as much. Hoping this is all normal for day 2 but feeling very sorry for myself. The ward rang just to check in on me and I mentioned the above, they said if the sickness continues and I get a fever to call them (no fever at the moment). I would hate to have to go back in so hoping this feeling passes.

Sorry to hear that you are struggling today Cuddlecouch and I hope that the sickness passes soon. The hospital gave me codeine for my gallbladder attacks and I found that that, alternated with paracetamol, helpful, do you have any of those?

@Cuddlecouch thank you for letting me know how your op went! Sorry to hear your feeling so sick, hope your feeling better now, and eve sickness has subsided, how's the pain today? thanks

@Cuddlecouch how are you feeling today? I hope the sickness has subsided.
@Likog When is your operation? Mine is next Wednesday.

@Whatapickle21 mine is tomorrow, I'm
Nervous!

@Likog sending every good wish to you and I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Most people seem not to have too many problems with the procedure or the recovery, so hopefully we will have similar experiences. However, it doesn’t stop it being scary! Let us know how it went and how you are feeling as soon as you feel up to it 💐 x

No sickness today and I'm sure it was the cocodamol that was making me so sick. I stopped taking them yesterday after being sick all day. Today has been better, the gas pain finally seems to be subsiding but I've had to rush to the loo a few times. I'm really hoping to sleep on my side tonight as my tailbone is painful after being sat on it for so many days. I'm trying to keep active but I get tired easily. My appetite is quite hit and miss, struggling to eat but am drinking lots. I have to change my dressings tomorrow and I'm dreading it. I've been given waterproof dressings to apply but not sure if I need to apply them before my shower or after?

Likog and what I really hope your ops go well. How are you feeling?