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!

A friend of mine had it done a while ago. She struggled with washing her hair. A neighbour gave her one of those shower heads that attach to the tapes. It really helped her as her husband could was her hair. Their shower was tiny so it was not easy otherwise.

Had mine done as an emergency surgery due to a bad infection that hospitalised me. When IV antibiotics for 3 days did nothing they decided to get rid of it.

I had a total of 3 weeks off work, first 5 days I was in hospital, 3 days trying to get control of the infection then 2 days after the surgery because I had to have a drain fitted due to all the nasty goop caused by the infection.

I was back to driving about 4 days after surgery, was doing light shopping and pottering around the house within a week after surgery. Soms pain when doing big movements or lifting things for about 2 weeks, after that it was only really uncomfortable if I did something stupid like a sudden bend/twist or lifting something properly heavy, and that had disappeared 3 weeks after the surgery.

For me it was my first and only major op, so I can't compare, and I didn't know what to exorcist of how I would manage anaesthesia and surgical wounds, etc., I was on a mn thread at the time of a bunch of us going through it. We all varied so much in our recoveries, so I'd suggest you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. My recovery seemed to be the easiest of all on that thread, but even I struggled to just be awake for a couple of days. I didn't have any pain afterward, but I was tender, such that it would be hard looking after little ones. And they can't say until they're in whether you'll get to stick with keyhole or the bigger op. So I think planning needs to be around childcare if you don't have a partner or co-parent. Good luck op!

Extra pillows to protect the wound in bed
Unwired bras
Nightdresses/shirts rather than pjs
Peppermint tea for the wind
Cleaner /help in place
Big pants

I had mine done at 2.00pm, back on ward by 3.30pm, home sat watching soaps eating fish & chips by 7.00pm, I drove teatime next day & was out at a sporting event all day 4 days later. Back on school run within a week, I was discharged from consultant a week after having it done.

Instead of going shopping , I used Ocado for about 5 weeks. I just didn't clean tbh! Not really a thing I worry about anyway... I had no small children to worry about.

Honestly, I am not sure how helpful the macho recovery stories are - the running 43 miles barefoot whilst bench pressing toddlers stuff I am sure is intended to be reassuring but it's unusual. As a PP said expect the best (which is still usually 2 weeks recovery) and plan for the worst.

My immediate recovery was not great as I am allergic to GA and couldn't wee so I had to stay in all night . It wasn't so awful as the nurses were lovely. At home was fine- but did end up back in urgent care with terrible stomach pains about 5 days later. Your liver takes a while to settle back down. It hasn't quite been the magic wand op I expected.

I didn't get 'discharged by a consultant- - mine never so much as spoke to me again after the op. You don't get TLC follow ups which did surprise me a bit.

I started a thread a while back about what to expect. I'll see if I can track it down and link it.

I had mine out August last year. I was back at work in 2 weeks and drove myself 6 hours for a solo weekend away at the end of the third week.

Pain was pretty minimal, certainly in comparison to the pain I'd been in for months prior to removal!

Diet has been fine. No digestive issues. The thing I do get is phantom pain where my gallbladder used to be, which according to my GP is normal.

Oh, and I could not wear a bra at all for over a week. This did not make me happy. I am not a slop about in loungewear type of person. Underwired bras were too tight.

I did lose a shit ton of weight on the plus side.. Mostly back now (thanks Christmas...)

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/general_health/5155283-gallbladder-op-faqs-and-words-of-comfort-and-wisdom

This is a support thread from September.

Also I arranged a meal delivery ( Cook) for several nights after return from hospital so there was less cooing to do

DH took a week off and did all the cooking and home jobs for two weeks, the kids were around 10. The initial discomfort was similar to c-section recovery but far shorter and easier. Loose fitting knickers and trousers felt good. I was really tired for about three weeks after and rested a lot with snacks and drinks close to me, but not hugely in pain and no vomiting or diarrhea luckily. I remember getting a bit woozy in the shower. Paradoxically the only thing that has given me indigestion since has been peppermint tea. Best of luck to you!

Thank you all very much, it’s been very helpful to see the range of experiences. As pp said I think I need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With regards keyhole or open, I am really quite overweight, is that likely to make keyhole unlikely ?

Thank you very much for this!

On various Facebook support pages it seems to me that all the people told to lose weight are in the US but I'm not sure on that. No one ever weighed or measured me in the run up to surgery or spoke to me about diet or dietary changes. I was actually surprised by how little consultants actually 'consult'!

Yea, I was surprised too. I made a point of asking whether I needed to make any dietary or lifestyle changes after my surgery and was told no, then sent on my merry way.

No follow up, just packed off home.

Yup, same!

Had mine out. No fat for 3 weeks after. Stick rigidly to that. Gradually introduce. No issues since.
Stayed overnight in hospital and got terrible shoulder pain during the night. Had to call nurse. No one had told me about this pain due to trapped air pumped in during keyhole surgery so be warned. Once you know what it is its fine.
As a teacher l was off work for 3 weeks mainly due to the fact l stand all day and didn't feel ready for that. You won't be able to lift your little one for about a week so have someone covering that.

Hi all, an update. Had the surgery last Friday. All seemed to go well, doctor happy. I got home that evening. I’ve barely been out of bed since, when I get up it just seems to wipe me out? I’m all for resting but the biggest downside is I can’t really eat anything? I’m living off toast and soup and despite that it’s (TMI) always diarrhoea. Is this usual? I’m worn out.

Yes, all normal. Don't worry.

Had mine out a few months ago, keyhole surgery. Was given oramorph to take home but didn’t need it, just paracetamol and ibrufen.Didn’t drive for a week mainly due to insurance,wore track trousers as jeans rubbed on wounds. It was hard to sit up from laying down for several days as wounds hurt; I also got an infected wound so needed abs so keep an eye out if any of them look angry after a week and you still feel tired. Was back to pottering and cooking after a couple of days. Went for a walk after three days. It was pretty easy and I’m quite old!

@Piggywaspushed thanks so much. I’ve been feeling very sorry for myself

Definitely get some help for the kids and general housework, I ended up back in hospital after my surgery, for 4 nights due to complications. But I was a rare case, good luck for your surgery OP.

I know that feeling. I distracted myself watching Downton and reading a very very long book.

You have had pretty big surgery.
Get the staff/family to bring you pretty things on silver trays.
REST.