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

[dudsville]

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.

Has anyone had anything odd happen to their hair after their gallbladder removal? Mine is a bit dry but curly so I usually just put a tiny bit of oil in it and let it dry naturally. Since my op (so over a week now) it's become much more porous and almost 'oily' (and that's with me putting no oil in it) and the curls are dropping as they're not dry anymore. It's so odd .. I'm hoping it's just a blip, I did read some people have huge hair loss after the removal so I'm hoping that's not the road my hair is trying to head down ...

@ihaveayod - is your operation happening tomorrow? Hope it goes ahead and you are soon on the road to recovery 💐.

@MiniCooperLover - I haven't heard of this side effect and can't say I've noticed any difference in my own hair. I'm not sure how the loss of the gallbladder would affect your hair. Stress can have an impact on hair, though - maybe it's that. Hopefully, it's just temporary.

@Rarewaxwing Thank you, yes it's tomorrow morning. Getting a bit nervous now but I know it will be for the best.

@ihaveayod - sorry you're feeling apprehensive. I was surprised at how nervous I was before my operation. Remember that you can ask for a pre-med before going down to theatre, if you want. Tramadol was magic!

And imagine being able to eat what you like without pain afterwards. I had steak and chips with two glasses of Prosecco at a restaurant last night. It was so lovely to be able to eat something other than salad!

Thanks @Rarewaxwing. I keep telling myself that it will all be over by this time tomorrow.

Yes, not long now. Just take it all step by step.

Good luck today @ihaveayod, hope all goes well for you today and you feel better soon.

I think my belly button might be a little infected, I took the dressing off it today as I could feel something hard underneath it and it doesn't look too bad but it's definitely not closed and a tiny bit weepy. I've sprayed some anti septic on it and covered it again to give it some protection but it's so bruised still it's hard to tell for sure.

@MiniCooperLover - could you get a nurse at your GP surgery to take a look maybe?

@MiniCooperLover Thank you.

I'm feeling a bit sore today and very tired. All went well and I got home yesterday about 3pm.

@ihaveayod - glad it's all over. The soreness will soon pass. Keep taking the painkillers and get lots of rest.

Really interesting to hear everyones stories on this thread!

Has anyone else had problems with the incision in the belly button? It's been over a month post surgery and it feels sore and my stomach is swollen, definitely worse than 2 weeks ago. No pus but the incision feels swollen and so does the area around it. The other incisions have healed fine but getting a bit worried now as I thought everything would be getting almost back to normal by now!

@Anotherdayanothernight - sorry you're still having problems. I haven't had that issue with my bellybutton, but it is sore if pressed (if I wear a belt that presses against it, for instance). Could you ring the surgery department and talk to a nurse about it? Or, failing that, check with your GP?

I've had a pain all day under my ribs where my gallbladder used to be. It's not bad, but it's troubling. And odd because I know the gallbladder isn't there. I've taken a couple of paracetamol, which has done the trick, but would like to know what causes it. Too much fat in the diet, maybe (I'm enjoying chocolate and other treats again)? Scar tissue?

Has anyone else had this?

Yes me! I’ve had twinges, and I’m worrying as my gallbladder is not there any more, so what’s going on? I’m almost three weeks post-op.

@Anotherdayanothernight sorry you are having issues with your belly button, I am also. I seem to have two 'flaps' of loose skin that don't seem to have knit together: one is at the top in one direction and the other at the bottom of the incision in the opposite direction. My concern isn't that they're infected but that I'll get left with these loose flaps of skin that'll catch on clothes?

@Rarewaxwing, I have this too but it's always when I've had too many fatty foods. I figured my body has a hard time processing it and I need to cut down on the fat again!

Finally got a date for a scan to see if the pain is gallstones - I’ll be amazed if not, it seems textbook

I had an attack last month, then came up in hives a few times over the following days - has anyone had that happen? I’d not eaten or used anything different in the house to cause the reaction, I stick to the same brands and bulk buy as I’m so sensitive - the only thing that had happened was an attack where I’d been bringing up bile for hours

My surgeon advised sticking to the low fat diet for 2-3 weeks following surgery so that your body gets used to the way the bile is delivered. She said that if you don't ease into eating fats you can get the pain and diarrhoea.

Also my discharge information says that I have to wear the compression socks for 6 weeks. Has anyone else been told this?

I was told two weeks for the socks, and struggled with it, as they were uncomfortable and stopped me sleeping at night. After a week I just wore them in a day, as the lack of sleep was doing my recovery no good!

@HeyBwoss @vinoandbrie - interesting that you both get these twinges too. I think I'll take it as a warning to watch out for fatty foods. I've been so careful and still avoid high-fat foods, but was enjoying relaxing a bit. Still, it's a huge improvement on the gallbladder attacks and at least it'll keep me on a healthy diet.

@Trying81 - I never had your hives reaction, no, but maybe it was a reaction to the pain. I hope you get an answer soon.

Thanks, maybe - it came up 3 times over a weekend which was odd as there was no obvious trigger.

My GP chased up the referral and I finally have my scan next week.

Do you tend to find out right away if there are gallstones visible?

@Trying81 - I asked the sonographer as he didn't volunteer the information and he said, "Oh yeah, you're full of gallstones!"

@Trying81 I would make a point of asking the sonographer if they don't tell you. I think they often just tell you when your GP will have the results so definitely ask at the time.

Thanks both - I’m almost hoping it is gallstones to explain the pain I’ve been getting