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Original poster

Gallbladder attacks advice PART 2, where heybwoss gets ready to celebrate

398 replies

dudsville · 29/10/2023 20:30

In June 23 Heybwoss started the thread titled "gallbladder attacks advice". I don't know how to do links, but that thread helped a number of us through some really dark and scary times. Now heybwoss is finally getting her gallbladder removed this Friday! This thread is to have a space to check in about that, and for anyone suffering the awful physical and psychological pain and suffering while waiting to have theirs removed, for all those missing all the celebratory and holiday meals, missing the ease of simply eating when hungry, and simply missing the ease of enjoying eating without The Fear. Come on heybwoss 🥳🥳🥳

I've tried to link posters names but i can't work out how to do this.

OP posts:
HeyBwoss · 29/10/2023 20:49

Thank you @dudsville what a lovely OP! I'll go and get the link for the previous thread now

HeyBwoss · 29/10/2023 20:51

Oops name change fail Blush will see if MNHQ can change it.

HeyBwoss · 29/10/2023 20:56

Previous thread
I'm not sure how to tag people who haven't already commented on the thread, hopefully they will find us

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
Original poster
dudsville · 29/10/2023 21:17

Thanks for the link @HeyBwoss ! I've just pm'd folks from the last 3 pages of the previous thread with the title of this one.

So how are you feeling about Friday? I still marvel that it's all behind me. 2 months post op now!

OP posts:
wellthisisakward · 29/10/2023 21:28

Can I join? Mid flare at the moment and I suspect will be on the Pathway for removal in the coming year's.

ihaveayod · 29/10/2023 21:34

Thanks for the new thread @dudsville
Not long until you are gallstone free @HeyBwoss

Mine are not happy at the moment, not a severe attack but they are definitely making their presence known.

MeinKraft · 29/10/2023 21:35

Hi, just joining in. Mine haven't given me too much bother recently so I've been quiet on the thread.

bellac11 · 29/10/2023 21:37

Thanks for letting me know OP, definitely paying attention to people's experiences on here

More pain in stomach last night, more like a tight band than it has been

A bit of griping this morning in the car (car seems to set it off, must be scrunched up too much) and then rest of the day the same gnawing, griping feeling in right shoulder blade that Ive had for months which Im now convinced is referred pain

ihaveayod · 29/10/2023 21:50

@bellac11 I've just read your posts on the last thread. I had a private abdominal ultrasound, it cost £99. The report was emailed to me that day and I sent it to the GP. They referred me to one of the private NHS providers in my area and my appointment was about 5 weeks from referral. I have been listed for surgery.

HeyBwoss · 29/10/2023 22:06

@dudsville I'm excited for all this to be over, and in time for Christmas but also nervous for all the obvious surgery reasons. Also, I've lost almost 4 stone since June but I have/had issues with binge eating and I'm worried that when I'm 'allowed' to eat fat again I'll ruin it all. How are you doing? 2 months already, wow! Are you managing all food without issue now?

@wellthisisakward welcome Smile sorry you are feeling rough. There's some good advice about buscopan etc on the previous thread if you need it.

Mine pain is also usually like a tight band but around my chest/under boobs. I had been quiet previously as I seemed to be mostly ok but I had another attack on Thursday night. Didn't last too long and also stopped as suddenly as it started so I assume I was passing a stone or something.

MiniCooperLover · 30/10/2023 07:16

Thanks for the message and starting Part2! We were away at the weekend and I ate relatively normally, saying that I did make choices to stay away from red meats, fatty meats, fried foods etc. but I did have some creamy pasta (I ordered it thinking it wouldn't be creamy, but it was delicious!). I think I 'pay' for it with my digestion and the very strong need for the toilet in the morning but I'm trying to keep an eye on things. Haven't heard anything re my MRI scan or about an operation date and because it's been a while since my last attack I start wondering 'oh maybe it's passed, not a problem anymore' which I know is a bad way to think as that'll lead me to another one. I'm not sure I can chase my MRI results up either as they were ordered by our local hospital day surgery ward rather than my GP and they only really want to talk to you in an emergency.

Original poster
dudsville · 30/10/2023 07:50

Glad people are finding the thread, hi!

Another welcome from me@wellthisisakward. Have you let your gp know? Provision varies massively so it would be good to get on their books. My local services are miles different to @ihaveayod, my wait for surgery would have been over a year AFTER diagnosis, and it can take ages to get the diagnosis so it's well worry going private for that. I went from minor grumbles to 5 to 8 hour long flare ups every couple of weeks that took out a couple of work days each, got my scans and diagnosis during that time, had a blue light trip to a SAU with an infection as a result, and I'm still angry that this was considered something I should just be able to manage until surgery done time a year ish later. I paid privately to have it removed.

@HeyBwoss , it's such a weird process isn't it, all the angst trying to get a surgery date and then angst about the surgery itself! I was in coping mode on the day up until the last minute when i started to cry, but they v quickly put me out so the distress was short lived.

The weight loss is a weird one. For me, I imagine i might have regained it all were it not for having got the heart disease diagnosis at the same time, that also requires a low fat diet so i didn't lose so the fear driven motivation. I'm grateful to that gallbladder diet now, as it helped prepare me a new way of eating that isn't as strict, so I feel I've been able to enjoy things a little more freely post op, iyswim. I still want to lose some weight and am disappointed with myself that I can't just do this - still waiting for the gym to process my referral, I'm not excited about exercise but I'm hopeful it might help. I have maintained my gb weight these last two months through daily weighing that reminds me to make better choices. But weight concern seems to be an annoying life long companion now.

I hope you can chase them up @MiniCooperLover, the PALS service for
That local hospital might be able to help you find your results?

OP posts:
Original poster
dudsville · 30/10/2023 08:35

Forgot to add, I had bloods taken (for heart) and my cholesterol has reduced! It was 5.5 early last year, jumped up to 7.3 this year. I've got it down to 6!

OP posts:
Lionoso · 30/10/2023 11:24

Hi all.

As someone post op I don't post much anymore. As a reassurance for those at the start of this journey, I had my surgery three months ago and I'm so much better.

I did have one painful post op episode but overall it's really been great. Once I got to about 6 weeks post op I found no issues with eating normal food. I still don't eat anything deep fat fried, but I think it's just become habit now to avoid that type of food.

bellac11 · 31/10/2023 07:12

Well I phoned the surgery yesterday to either have an appointment, phone consultation or just get referred, I dont care which, I know that I need a scan

Very late lasts night they finally phone back to say I need to physically see the doctor NEXT WEEK!!!

God, so long

I wouldnt mind but when Ive wanted to have a face to face appointment previously, I never get one and now Ive got to wait a week to see someone when they could just refer me, I know what I need and explained it all to the receptionist.

Original poster
dudsville · 31/10/2023 13:28

The whole process is so irritating @bellac11, hope things progress quickly from that appt.

Glad to hear you're don't well@Lionoso and that that one was an isolated event.

I also had one minor event a day or two after surgery and have been fine since. I think i belched a lot for a while, and then had a phase of feeling very mildly nauseous upo waking but i feel perfectly recovered.

OP posts:
Original poster
dudsville · 02/11/2023 07:10

Not long now @HeyBwoss ! How are you feeling?

OP posts:
Trollfeet · 02/11/2023 07:26

Good luck for tomorrow @HeyBwoss

Im five weeks post op, made a full recovery. Went back to the gym after 3 1/2 weeks, was hard work but that’s because I stopped going after my gallbladder infection in June.
I have occasional bouts of urgency and very occasional one second stabbing pain where my gallbladder was.

Hope all goes well for everyone wherever you are in the process.

CleanQueen123 · 02/11/2023 08:06

I'm late back to the party! How's everyone doing?

For anyone who still has surgery to come and is feeling a bit anxious, I'm about 2 months post surgery now and I can honestly say it's the best thing I've ever done.

I don't think I'd realised quite how long my gallbladder had been going downhill.

HeyBwoss · 02/11/2023 13:08

Hi and thank you! Nervous for tomorrow, not so much for the actual surgery but worries about being in pain afterwards and also the possibility of "urgency" in the long term future. I don't do well with public toilets! But it is what it is, and I'm glad to hear that you are all pleased after having it done.

Lionoso · 02/11/2023 16:43

Good luck for tomorrow @HeyBwoss

Sleeplessinseattle234 · 02/11/2023 16:44

I’m placemarking. Thanks!

CleanQueen123 · 02/11/2023 17:49

Good luck @HeyBwoss!!!!

Original poster
dudsville · 02/11/2023 20:55

Good luck @HeyBwoss , each of our recoveries has been unique in some way, hope yours goes well. Have you been given a time yet? Mine was only congruent the afternoon before i think.

OP posts:
ihaveayod · 02/11/2023 20:58

Good luck for tomorrow @HeyBwoss