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.

@Cuddlecouch nervous! Got to be at hospital at 7am! I'm more nervous about the general anaesthetic than I am about the actual operation!

I'm so envious. I was scheduled to have mine out two weeks ago and it was cancelled a few days before. God knows when I'll get another spot. In the meantime it's fat free food, wind and pain.

Don't worry too much. It's scary but it will be over before you know it and soon you can have cheese 😁

@WhoWants2Know I was supposed to have the operation several months ago but after I had been waiting in bed on the ward for several hours the doctor came and told me that the operating list was too full so they wouldn’t be able to fit me in and I was sent home. Then my referral was lost, so no new date. When chased they finally came up with a date, but then I got Covid so it had to be postponed again! I am so bloody scared now whereas if they had done the operation the first time round when I had had a dreadful gallbladder attack it would all have been over before I had time to think about it grrrr. Hope you get a date through soon.

My brother had his out last year. In and out same day and back to work a week later.

Likog how did you get on? Hope you're recovering well. I removed my dressings and applied waterproof ones and had a shower. It was hard not to get the new dressings wet and I felt really weak and dizzy afterwards. The opening near the belly button seems to be the biggest and the hardest to keep covered. I feel better having showered.

Let us know how you're getting on.

Very drowsy atm @Cuddlecouch but I'm okay

Hope that you are both doing well today @Likog @Cuddlecouch 💐

Thanks @Whatapickle21 I'm struggling today with drowsiness still, also in some pain! I couldn't keep anything down even when I got back from hospital yesterday, but today I have been able to.

It’s early days @Likog so take it gently, catch up on your sleep and keep taking the painkillers. Just wondering are you able to sleep lying down or do you need to sit up all the time? I was wondering whether I need to buy extra pillows in preparation.

@Whatapickle21 I tried to sleep in my bed last night, was in too much pain, so ended up, on the sofa more upright which was better! So yes I would say a extra pillow may be good!

@Likog @Cuddlecouch How’s everybody doing? I had my op yesterday and am taking it easy at home today. Had a good night’s sleep and am just in minor discomfort which I’m keeping in check with paracetamol.
Hoping that you are both well on the road to recovery now and that it’s not been too unpleasant.

Those who had it removed how many attacks were you getting.

I had an extreme attack back in April - about three days long and I was in agony. I was due a CT scan of the area the week after anyway for another reason and the result showed a gallbladder full of stones. However, I was just told that if it happened again then they would consider taking it out.

What's the threshold for this surgery? Im completely scared of cheese now and I lost 3kg during and after the attack because I couldn't eat anything while whatever was going on calmed down. I know I've been having small attacks (like 12 hours worth) over the last two years, but nothing was as bad as April.

(note: part of the stomach pain could have also been caused by drug side effects from something else)

I had had episodes of biliousness over the past few years particularly after eating overly rich food but then in March had a dreadful attack of pain w high hadn’t really resolved after 48 hours. GP sent me to hospital and scan revealed gallbladder full of stones. I had several attacks over the next few weeks even though I was hardly eating. Then an even worse attack where a stone escaped and got stuck in my bile duct and sent my liver crazy. Had 2 procedures to remove it. Then several more smaller attacks before the date of my operation, again even though I was avoiding fatty foods.
Definitely push for a referral and removal it’s horrible living with the fear of attacks. I wouldn’t go away anywhere in case it flared up and I avoided meals out and just was generally miserable. So glad it’s done now.