Experiences of gallbladder removal and recovery after keyhole surgery

[Username2406]

Could I ask you about your experience of Gallbladder removal?

I have an appointment to discuss having mine removed tomorrow and I am interested in other people's experiences?

Doctor Google suggests it'll be key hole surgery.

What was your recovery like? How long was you in hospital?
What was your diet like afterwards? Especially in the immediate.

Would appreciate any experiences please. I am extremely nervous about it! I had a stone removal last year and honestly it was worse than childbirth.

Thanks

My husband had his removed when he was 65. He had keyhole surgery, was meant to come home the same day but there was a delay in theatre and he only went down in the afternoon and stayed overnight. He was fine, very little pain, started eating normally straight away and has had no problems whatsoever. He was in pain with stones and fed up of his restricted diet so the op was a huge relief. He slept partially sitting with a V shaped pillow for two nights but then he was able to lie down comfortably.

DP had his removed 2 years ago. His was key hole although they had to do an extra incision for some reason. I dropped him off at 8am, he was first on the list and taken for surgery at 8.30 and I collected him at 2.30 he was texting me by 11am wanting to leave and come home! He was signed off for 2 weeks but after the first week he was bored stiff and desperate to go back to work/normality.
he just had lighter meals for the first could of days after the op and took regular painkillers.
he did have to to go OOH but nothing surgery related he was allergic to one of the strong painkillers he’d been given and came out in itchy hives.
he’s not really had any issues since, occasional upset stomach if he has too much rich food but that’s very rare

20+ years ago ... no issues.

I had mine removed in April. It was a walk in the park and I haven't felt so well in years. I was in hospital for 8 days, but that was because I had pancreatitis when I went in, then it was the weekend, surgery, then an MRI, then an ERCP, then too much bile in my drain. You won't be in very long for planned surgery. I had very few painkillers and while it took a few weeks to regain full strength it was more than worth it.

I forgot to add, it is wonderful not having to second guess what food is going to cause problems, and not to have stomach pain nearly every day. I had so many issues and they all disappeared with my gallbladder.

I had mine removed in September last year via keyhole surgery, stayed in for one night and was able to return to work after 3 weeks. I had little pain and managed with paracetamol although I was sent home with codeine. I would have taken it if I needed it but didn’t want to be constipated (which is common with codeine as they send you home also with laxatives!)

The worst part was the anxiety before the surgery (having a general anaesthetic etc) and I also seemed to cough up a lot of mucas from the operation which was uncomfortable and kept me awake for the first few nights.
9 months on I have no issues from it but am careful with gluten and dairy anyway due to IBS. I’m glad I had it done as was concerned I would have a gallstone attack or emergency when abroad because I travel a lot.
Good luck with your op.

Hello.
Had mine out March this year, via key hole. I was home within few hours. It was fine, I was careful what I ate for a few days and have been since. But no flare ups. Good luck!

Thanks all.
Had it confirmed ill be having it done as a key hole day case.

I had mine out a couple of years ago. I had to stay in overnight after due to a heart issue although I was absolutely fine and up and about in a couple of hours. No problems at all afterwards. I had keyhole surgery, although I ended up with a bigger incision as it was so big and full that they couldn't get it out!

Had mine out 4 years ago next month. In at 7am, out at 5.30. Spent the evening throwing up but I'm not good at general anaesthetics. By the next day was back to normal. No special diet or anything. Whole experience was brilliant.

I had mine out by keyhole 14 years ago and the operation was a doddle. I had to stay in overnight as I couldn't wee. Within two days I was back at hospital with the usual gallstone pain and this went on for several months (in fact more frequently than before). Eventually I had some kind of scan and they discovered that there was a stone stuck somewhere, so I went in for the day for that to be removed. Since then I have been absolutely fine. I think I was unlucky. I've never had any issue with eating since. Good luck!

So easy. Usually just a day case - I only stayed an extra night, because I also had peritonitis and had been admitted as an emergency.
Haven't looked back since, and it was 15 years ago.
Honestly, why hang on to an organ that is causing so much trouble? Have the darn thing out ASAP.

I had mine out 18 months ago and am fine now, can eat and drink most things and don’t have any issues apart from I’m now prone to a bit of constipation.

I was terrified of the op and it did end up being a bit more complex as bits were stuck inside to other organs, but they still managed keyhole. I was in for 3 nights and was on pain meds for a week or so. Worst thing was I felt really sick afterwards and was off my food so lost a bit of weight, but that went away and now I wish I was off my food a bit more often.

good luck, you’ll be fine and a manky gallbladder is better out.

Keyhole surgery, out same evening. Took painkillers for a couple of days, pretty well back to normal in 4 to 5 days apart from infected wound which abs sorted. Occasional digestive issues still, but not really a problem.

Hospital night before because I was first on the list. 3 small punctures, left hospital by 2pm with paracetamol. Wounds healed very quickly, minimal, in fact no real, pain. Pretty much ate what I wanted after first couple of days including ALL the cheese to make up for previous years when it would set off a gallbladder attack.. Didn't take any time off as was self employed and couldn't afford to - was careful, zero ill effects. Didn't drive for a couple of weeks after op.

Made me realise how lucky I am to live in 21st century.

I was 62 last year, it wasn't a good experience. I struggled to get up our stairs (3 storeys) after discharge.

Was readmitted 2 days later with a stone, which was horrendous. I was in for 4 days of awful pain. I finally passed it.

Was back on my bike 3 weeks later for gentle rides, but badminton took 8 weeks.

I eat what I like but follow a healthy diet anyway.

It was a great relief from the pain.
I had keyhole surgery privately as wait on NHS was months. Just as well - surgeon said if I’d had to wait much longer I’d likely have needed open surgery as it was pretty bad.

I had phenomenal bruising and actually had two weeks off work (it was very snowy/ icy and even work HR were concerned about me slipping on ice outside office!). I felt pretty bad for first 12 hours post surgery and stiff and a bit sore for ten days.

My tum seemed fine and after 24 hours I was eating normally. Strangely pineapple is the only food that causes me issues many years later - maybe the acid.

Mine was about 7 or 8 years ago. Keyhole surgery. I stayed in one night because I had a bit of temperature - seems that is the way I react to GA.

Home the next morning, feeling 100% well although I was really tired for weeks after, possibly because I went straight back to caring for my DM full time. The only thing I didn't do was push her in the wheelchair.

My only knowledge of the op had been from people who had open surgery and their recovery was longer and more painful.

If it’s any comfort, keyhole gallbladder removal is the most commonly performed surgery in the western world and our surgeons are pretty expert in it.

It's worth it. I had some pain in my clavicles post surgery - usually down to the gas used in the key hole operation but oil of peppermint in hot water did the trick. Rest up and eat what you fancy. Best wishes.

What was your recovery like? Sore and on cocodamol for 2 days (but able to walk around the house fine). After that, basically absolutely fine. Didn't drive for 10 days, more out of insurance fear, but otherwise lived pretty much normally. I'd taken a week off work with the option to extend for two, not knowing how I'd feel, but I felt like I was taking the mickey after 4 days haha - I do have an office job that can be done from home, though, so YMMV.

How long was you in hospital? About 6 hours after the surgery - I had to have been for a wee and they wanted to wait cos my blood pressure dropped a bit.

What was your diet like afterwards? Especially in the immediate. Ate completely normally, just because I was so glad to be able to eat things again and not fear an attack. Had no issues at all and have eaten all sorts since I had it done with no problems - I do sometimes get a gurgly sounding stomach if I eat something really greasy but otherwise fine!

I think I was relatively lucky but equally I know quite a few people who've had it done and had exactly the same recovery as me.