Gallstones & gallbladder surgery?

[Moidershewrote]

More of a WWYD than AIBU, but posting for traffic😬

Have had gallstones for well over a decade, they were found on a scan when I was pregnant and monitored on a couple of scans since then, but up until the past year or so I’ve not had too much trouble with them. But now I seem to be having issues and I ~think~ I’m having bouts of biliary colic (although not diagnosed) which leave me in agony for 3-4 hours when it kicks off. I’m then exhausted and feel sick for a few days afterwards.

I know I can probably push for the gallbladder removal surgery with GP and have private insurance via work. But I am really scared of surgery (past traumatic medical experiences) and also worried it will leave me with continued digestive issues (thanks Google!) as I’ve read a lot of that online.

Looking for personal gallstone / surgery stories and anything that might help me get on with it..

Based on my own patient experience, I would use your insurance and get them removed privately by keyhole surgery. The NHS manages demand by making you wait months/years until you have severe symptoms and as a result you risk being in severe pain which could even affect your ability to earn your living. If you asked a surgeon/ doctor what they would personally do it they were experiencing gallstone pain, they would say remove them immediately as the surgery is usually straightforward and the risks of not intervening can be life threatening. Once it starts 'playing up' it gets worse and removal is the only sensible option.
A year ago after one severe pain episode, I paid privately for removal as NHS list was 2 years and someone I knew had spent a couple of weeks in an NHS hospital for gallstone related pancreatitis and they discharged him and said he would have to wait on the list for actual surgery. He also went privately instead.

Just read your whole thread. Re the back pain I thought I had kidney stones from where the pain was but the NHS ultrasound showed the gallstones.
Glad you have realised that waiting is 'false economy' as it were. Best wishes 💐

I had mine out 3 years ago and never had a single issue since - and not had to do anything to alter my diet in anyway.

100% agree - this is exactly my story, too. I was actually told by one of the lovely nurses, whilst in hospital for pancreatitis, to call my private healthcare company & get it booked in ASAP! She'd had to do the same herself & said she gives everyone the same advice now!

Just goes to show how badly NHS healthcare has deteriorated. My gall stones were diagnosed after my first attack and my gallbladder was removed with keyhole surgery 11 weeks later back in 2011. Two years is insane.

I was told the wait was 19 months on the nhs. This was in 2004.

I had mine out privately.

My dh had his gall bladder removed by keyhole surgery and it went wrong. This was 20 years ago now. He never had any benefit from it and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I might be wrong but I don't feel he had sufficient after care. He should have had endoscopies to check he didn't have ulcers. I'm sceptical about this operation.

That was before the implementation of the NHS Improvement Plan. My 11 week wait was fairly typical when the target was 18 weeks.

1 year ago and the same.

I’m amazed how many people have replied and have had the operation, just within the MN AIBU subsection.

Reading all the replies has really helped me.

Current status: lying on the bed with a heat pad in pain again after dinner 2h ago, feeling nauseous and have a horrible intermittent stabby pain in liver area and the lower back pain again. Roll on Dr appointment tomorrow🤞🏻

Well, I've see the GP and he's referred me to a GI surgeon today (private) and wants me back tomorrow for blood tests. I've managed to get an appointment booked with the surgeon this week, so it's all moving very quickly!😱

That is quick. Good. Although the surgeon will likely refer you for an ultrasound just to check what's in there.

I didn't want surgery and suffered for longer than you - don't do what I did. I ended up having 12 hour attacks, followed by about 8 hours feeling ill afterwards. I have now had surgery and my life is transformed. I have no digestion issues (they all disappeared along with my gallstones) . Now that I am well, I realise I was actually never well for the couple of years prior to surgery. Surgery was keyhole, as a daycase. 3 weeks off work (I admit I was rather more sore than expected). I now feel incredibly stupid for suffering for so long.

I got diagnosed end of April 2018 with gallstones. Suffered quite badly and was on morphine . My surgery was done the beginning of June 2018 only because I had a trip in may that I wasn’t willing to lose. No issues with the nhs . My only issue is I’ve been left with adhesions from the surgery and I have to watch what I eat sometimes. Not a massive issue though and apparently it’s Normal. My surgery was meant to be daycase but sadly i had complications and got an infection which was borderline sepsis and I was in hospital for a week.

I’m so pleased to hear about your transformed life💛 That’s what I am hoping for and the surgeon told me tonight I won’t believe how much better I feel afterwards 🤞🏻

Update:
Saw the surgeon last night, he may have a cancellation space as early as next week😵 I’ve got to have liver function checked and pre-op assessment, so fingers crossed all ok and I can get the little sucker out ASAP!

Great news @Moidershewrote

Oh that's wonderful news! I hope your cancellation comes through and the liver function tests are okay.

@FabFitFifties I really identify with that - I hadn't felt really well for years with digestive issues, exhaustion and general feeling under par. Eight weeks on from surgery and I feel like a new woman. About to start swimming in earnest again, and looking forward to things rather than worrying if my guts are going to behave.

Well done OP. Hope you have that blessed relief soon.

I've only just clocked your username - love it!

I'm waiting to have mine out but I'm NHS so it'll probably be years. I seem to feel the pains more on the left hand side which is odd.