Tips for prepping for gallbladder removal

[seeyouinanotherlifewhenwearebothcats]

Hello, I wasn’t sure where to put this. I am having my gallbladder removed. 3 DC ranging from 6 to 1. I’m wondering if anyone could shed some light on what recovery might be like? I’m going to batch cook some freezer meals. What else could I do to prep for making recovery a smooth process? Tips gratefully received!

I was back at work after 2 weeks ... likely too soon to be honest. Colleague had 6 weeks. Somewhere in-between I guess.

Get a cleaner booked in once a week for 6 weeks

I was absolutely fine after the removal. You need to take it easy but I had no pain I would say three weeks of work max. Have you got child care or some help lined up?

Had mine out when baby was 6 months old. Op around lunch, discharged same day. Was up and around in three days, driving within a week and feeling fine then too. Suggest ginger ale and peppermint tea to help disperse the gas they pump you full of, definitely worked for me. Maybe I was up and around earlier due to the little one (and my older two!) but no adverse effects

Depends on recovery - my colleague had a lot of discomfort and needed to be very close to a toilet for about 6 weeks, had to get medication to settle down. I was fine in about 4 weeks.

I didn't have the experience others here did. I had to eat a virtually fat free diet for a year afterwards, couldn't do caffeine, fizzy drinks, milk, red meat. It was a challenge. I still cannot take nsaid pain relief because it hurts me too much. Periodically have flare ups too, Christmas has been difficult with rich foods etc.
I dont say this to scare you, I think my case was unusual, but do be prepared that some of your diet may need to change. Especially in the early days.

I had mine removed earlier this month, for the first 3 days I was very tired and sore, similar to a c section, not quite as bad. Strong painkillers helped, stock up on fruit and laxatives you will probably be discharged with laxatives anyway, going to the toilet again was difficult for the first week.
Eating was normal, offered s sandwich soon as I was awake in hospital and out the same day, advised not to lift anything heavier than 10kg, no picking up the toddler for a while and no driving for 2 weeks.

I had no time off. Was woozy after the GA for 12hrs. I had mine laproscopically so that might be the difference

That's standard.

No time off is madness!

OP , have you got plenty of help with the kids?

Batch cooking is a good idea. Plan some easy meals too and maybe an online shop

How long did you wait for the op? I was referred in July but not seen the consultant yet.

I'm 75. Keyhole surgery a month ago. Home next day. Hardly any pain. Low fat diet recommended post op until system settles.
Freezer stocked up with homemade soups.
No driving until you can tolerate a seat belt. Good idea to check with your Insurer.
It was emphasised that I must not lift anything heavier than a kettle for several weeks.
Have felt extremely well.
All the best to you for a speedy and comfortable recovery.

Thank you all for this! Sorry to hear some have had complicated recoveries. I’m hoping all will go smoothly. Yeah DH is going to book a week off so he will be able to drive kids to and from school etc. Hoping I’m fit enough to do it the following week or we’ll have to reassess. I waited 2.5 years for this op. But now that it’s looming I do find myself anxious. Great tip for the peppermint, I found that helpful after c sections so will stock up!

Had mine out in November. In and out in a day, mild discomfort only. Took to my bed for three days and was back answering emails (albeit from bed) on day 4. My main tip is place a cushion over your tummy when you cough or sleep, especially if you're a side sleeper. It kept everything 'in place' for me.

I felt like I'd been run over for 5 days then realised it was the dihydrocodeine , stopped taking that and felt fine. Back to work (office based duties) after two weeks I did have DH running DS around, school runs etc and either he cooked or we had batch cooked stuff in the freezer for the first week, I didn't do any heavy lifting including ds for a few weeks. The only gastro symptom I have as a result is if I don't eat for a long time (work is a nightmare and it's not uncommon for me to not eat between dinner and lunch the next day) and then eat something fatty , I need the toilet quite quickly, local café peanut butter brownies I'm looking at you.... But those are terrible eating habits anyway so it's made me stricter about eating breakfast.
Do you have a partner to take the strain with the children?

I would make food as easy as possible for the first few days. Just do things beforehand that will make life easier. Maybe ask for help from family/ friends so you can rest a little if need be. I had mine removed via key hole so just a few small cuts stitched up. I would recommend having a hot water bottle handy as had a lot of trapped wind, especially up in shoulder area. The doctor said that was very common.
Good luck and quick recovery xxx

I had mine removed 4 months after a c-section. I was in hospital for 2-3 days as I react quite badly to the general anesthetic (I find it very difficult to stay awake, am very sick & extremely disorientated) but once home I managed reasonably well, was looking after a 4 month old & generally okay. I did find that eating light meals was preferable.
Now 8 years later, my only real struggles are bile related ibs. If I don't eat in the morning, I suffer badly with ibs like symptoms all day. It's taken a VERY long time to figure it out, annoyingly.

Got puffed up with air, so was very farty afterwards.
Blame the dog/DH/kids.

I was so lucky with mine, had it out at 42. Terrible vomiting for 24 hours, turns out I am allergic to Morphine. That was the worst but, I think it actually helped clear the trapped wind... Three days later I am bored, cleaning floors on hands and knees, driving after a week. No side effects at all, standard diet, perfect bowels!

I only had paracetamol from the day after and the worst bit was the accumulation of gas from the op near my shoulder . I had DC of 2 and 6 months so had some help lifting them into cots etc for a short while but could do live normally very quickly after (albeit I mostly stayed at home for 10 days or so and took it easy).

The same as above, I was doing the housework 2 days later. As soon as the gallbladder has gone, you will realise how much it has dragged you down.

I felt awful post-op, as I always throw up afterwards. Then, after a good sleep, I woke up bright and breezy and showered. I was discharged the next day. I felt terrific; I slept more during the day but still ran the house (my kids were in their early teens). The gas did give me shoulder pain. It's the most straightforward op ever. Whoever took 6 weeks off was milking it!

In addition to peppermint, I would suggest charcoal tablets.
I had mine many moons ago (I've been without one longer than I had one! Was an unusual case in my early 20s) and was off for a fortnight - barely able to walk for a good week.
I really hope yours goes well (mine didn't, but many many do)

If you have open surgery it's a major op resulting in a BIG scar and 6-8 weeks is normal recovery. It is rarer nowadays but still happens

@Pebbles16 very rare to have open surgery for gallbladder these days

As I said, rarer, but still happens...

I work from home and had 1 week off work. For the first week afterwards I relaxed a lot and took the painkillers I was prescribed and watched a lot of TV, but felt generally fine. I couldn't drive my DC to school (primary) so needed help with that. Also needed help for general house stuff, ie cooking, so glad I had family to help me. Second week I was better and moving around a lot more and back to work, but still being careful. Stopped taking the prescribed painkillers and just used paracetamol and actually felt better for it.
I found a heated wheat bag (that you put in the microwave) very useful as I had shoulder pain for the first day afterwards. That was the thing that gave me the most pain. Wheat bag and painkillers helped.
To be honest, I was so glad to have the gallbladder out due to the pain I'd had before the operation, that I was just glad it was over (and a bit of a chance to relax and watch a bit of TV during the day 🙂).