Gallbladder surgery and trying not to panic

Wildflower07 · 2023-04-24T21:34:02+00:00

Hello! I am having my surgery on wednesday. Very nervous as expected. Handhold please and feel free to keep me accompanied with funny stories or stories about gallbladder surgery? How was your recovery? Tia x

Fairislefandango · 24/04/2023 22:40

Mine was absolutely fine (and I'm a massive wuss and loathe hospitals even when I'm a visitor!). Had it done in the morning. Home by early evening. Recovery not too bad at all - didn't need to take the heavy-duty painkillers they sent me home with. Paracetamol was enough. Turning over in bed was really hard for a few days though!

Tinkerbyebye · 24/04/2023 22:51

Mine was fine back home same day,with strong painkillers for a few days if I needed then, I didn’t. But sore next couple of days round the scars, keyhole surgery, but nothing to stop me working ( wfh)

Tooglamtogiveadamn2 · 24/04/2023 22:53

I had my gallbladder removed before Christmas. It was quite unexpected and quick in terms of having the operation. I was really well looked after and because my op was late in the day spent one night in hospital. I had key hole so 4 little scars which are healing well. I was signed off work for ten days I think it was after the op.
You'll be fine - any questions just ask!

hannonle · 24/04/2023 22:53

Mine was easy and a simple recovery. The worst bit was the morphine in recovery making me nauseated, and the constipation from the codeine. Take the laxitives is my advice!

HootyMcBooby76 · 24/04/2023 22:54

Just had mine out 3 weeks ago.

Was a day procedure, done at 12 ish and home by about 7pm that night.
Laparoscopic surgery so have a 3cm scar just under navel, 3cm scar just under breastbone, another 1.5cm scar above right hip and a fourth 1.5cm scar at right side rib cage.
I will be honest, the first three days were hard. It was hard to get up from a sitting position or to get comfortable in bed or to roll over.
My tips would be to take soft loose clothes for the journey home, invest in a front fastening soft non underwired bra to save yourself from twisting trying to get a bra on and also, the underwires rub right over where one of your incisions will be.
Soft joggers to avoid rubbing over your belly button incision.
Slip-on shoes so you don't have to bend over to put shoes on.

If you need to cough use a pillow or cushion to support your abdomen.

One of my wounds got infected and split open a little so I ended up having to buy more adhesive dressings and steri-strips to keep it closed until it healed.
They have left pretty bad scars but as I said I'm only three weeks in so they may fade a bit.
Bathroom visits have been a bit hit or miss since the surgery, still varying from one extreme to the other but have just started a digestive enzyme and a probiotic to see if it helps.

The actual anaesthetic was fine, I don't remember anything after the anaesthetist said "this will all go very quickly now. I'll see you soon", felt and saw my hand slipping off my waist in slow motion then remember nothing until recovery room, nurse saying it was all over. Tube was already out of my throat so I have no memory of that at all. Throat was a little sore.
Took about 1.5 hours in total.
Had a sandwich about 3 hours later, no nausea or vomiting at all after the surgery.
Needed the dihidrocodene for pain relief for 3 or 4 days, then paracetamol or ibuprofen was fine. If you are given codeine ask for some laxatives too, as codeine makes you very constipated and you don't want to be straining after abdominal surgery.

I'm sure you will be great.

Tooglamtogiveadamn2 · 24/04/2023 22:56

HootyMcBooby76 · 24/04/2023 22:54

Just had mine out 3 weeks ago.

Was a day procedure, done at 12 ish and home by about 7pm that night.
Laparoscopic surgery so have a 3cm scar just under navel, 3cm scar just under breastbone, another 1.5cm scar above right hip and a fourth 1.5cm scar at right side rib cage.
I will be honest, the first three days were hard. It was hard to get up from a sitting position or to get comfortable in bed or to roll over.
My tips would be to take soft loose clothes for the journey home, invest in a front fastening soft non underwired bra to save yourself from twisting trying to get a bra on and also, the underwires rub right over where one of your incisions will be.
Soft joggers to avoid rubbing over your belly button incision.
Slip-on shoes so you don't have to bend over to put shoes on.

If you need to cough use a pillow or cushion to support your abdomen.

One of my wounds got infected and split open a little so I ended up having to buy more adhesive dressings and steri-strips to keep it closed until it healed.
They have left pretty bad scars but as I said I'm only three weeks in so they may fade a bit.
Bathroom visits have been a bit hit or miss since the surgery, still varying from one extreme to the other but have just started a digestive enzyme and a probiotic to see if it helps.

The actual anaesthetic was fine, I don't remember anything after the anaesthetist said "this will all go very quickly now. I'll see you soon", felt and saw my hand slipping off my waist in slow motion then remember nothing until recovery room, nurse saying it was all over. Tube was already out of my throat so I have no memory of that at all. Throat was a little sore.
Took about 1.5 hours in total.
Had a sandwich about 3 hours later, no nausea or vomiting at all after the surgery.
Needed the dihidrocodene for pain relief for 3 or 4 days, then paracetamol or ibuprofen was fine. If you are given codeine ask for some laxatives too, as codeine makes you very constipated and you don't want to be straining after abdominal surgery.

I'm sure you will be great.

Great advice @HootyMcBooby76 :)

Panseypotter · 24/04/2023 22:58

Had mine out last year. No probs.. out of hospital after 2 nights. Home with painkillers, some of which I didn't need. hammed up the need for rest and had a week being served on hand and foot and binged on Netflix. Enjoy the break, I did😀
Compared to the pain prior to op. recovery was a doddle. Good luck for Wednesday.

Periwinkletoes · 24/04/2023 22:58

I had my gallbladder removed a few years ago by keyhole surgery. Surgery itself was straightforward and I was home in the afternoon. It was painful getting up from a sitting position for a couple of days and I got pains in surprising places from the gas migrating around my body. However I ran a 10k 3 weeks later so recovery was quick.

SarahLucSc · 24/04/2023 22:59

My recovery was fine - we had a (UK) holiday booked so we went away with our baby and toddler 3 days after I had the op. Was a bit sore for a few days but that was it.

2 weeks after I had it done I felt so normal that I went on a rollercoaster and half way round remembered that I had had surgery recently - no harm done but not the best idea 😬

ThanksForYourHelp · 24/04/2023 23:24

Your recovery may be a bit bumpy or may be a breeze. Regardless, you're soon going to be relieved of those agonising gallbladder attacks--for the rest of your life!

Iwrotethelyricstoaxlf · 24/04/2023 23:27

I was in and out same day.

You’ll likely get some shoulder pain (it’s from where they ‘inflate’ you while doing the keyhole bits n bobs. It does go but takes a day or so.

Also, a pillow or cushion. You’ll want to cough and this will be a lifesaver to press on your stomach.

Other than that. Enjoy being pain free on the other side.

BitOutOfPractice · 24/04/2023 23:31

I had mine out 19 years ago. Best thing ever.

I got chatting with another woman who was waiting to go down for surgery who happened to share my first name. We were laughing and joking, probably to allay the nerves. Anyways, I was back on the ward before her. When they wheeled her back in after her op she managed to groggily lift her head from the pillow to say “bet mine were bigger than yours!” 😂

honestly it’s so straightforward. You’ll not regret it. You’ll be grand.

let us know how you get on

Doversole7 · 24/04/2023 23:35

Had mine done - keyhole. Couldn’t piss so they kept me in and I was the sick all over the place (Reaction to anaesthetic) - went home the next day. Bit rough for a week The ok after that.

Einszwei · 24/04/2023 23:36

Recovery time varies. Many told me that they were up and about only a few days after surgery but it took me about four weeks. The first day home I fainted from the pain and cracked my head open on the wall.

Whilst recovery was long, it has been the best decision I have ever made.

Remember a pillow for when you return home from hospital. You can hold it against your stomach for support. A heated wheat bag really helps for any gas pain.

Justkeepingplatesspinning · 24/04/2023 23:51

I felt a million times better as soon as I'd had mine out. The pain from the gas was worst - the nurses on the ward had me doing windmills with my arms to help get rid of it. I was in for a few days and found having my bed raised up at the head end so I was almost sat up even when sleeping really helped too. Take all the painkillers they offer you and don't be running around too soon, it's keyhole surgery but still takes time to heal. Good luck x

Original poster

Wildflower07 · 25/04/2023 03:09

Thank you all, such varied experiences but altogether comforting.

Someone said to me that the gas pain is untouched by pain relief.

I will keep you all informed!

OP posts:

Original poster

Wildflower07 · 25/04/2023 03:14

Dod anyone get the injections afterwards to put in their tummy?

OP posts:

MumInBrussels · 25/04/2023 06:06

Blood thinner injections? I didn't, but I had my gall bladder out 20 years ago - I think they're better at providing blood thinners if they think people are going to be immobile for a while these days, maybe? If they aren't for that, did they explain what they're for?

(If they are blood thinners - clexane or similar - I had to have those all through pregnancy. You'll barely feel them, but it's difficult to stab yourself - I often had to psych myself up a bit to do it! It's for a good cause though, you don't want a DVT if you can avoid it.)

Having my gall bladder out was one of the better decisions I've made - I had some minor digestive issues for a while afterwards, especially after eating high fat foods, but that went away eventually. Knowing that I wasn't going to have to deal with the gallstone pain ever again was and remains brilliant, though.

Dizzywizz · 25/04/2023 06:45

Just had mine out. They said they only give the injections if you are at high risk of blood clots.

AuntieMarys · 25/04/2023 07:01

Had mine out 2 years ago after 1 excruciating attack....was very disappointed there was only 1 small stone! Didn't react well to the anaesthetic but was home 5 hours after the op.
First 2 days were not great but I'd never had surgery before...as someone said, nothing like the pain of an.attack!
I walked 2 miles 4 days after op and from then was fine.

turnthetoiletpaperroundproperly · 25/04/2023 07:23

Hand on heart I promise you its the best thing you will ever do! I had mine out 20 yrs ago and recovery for me then was about 4 weeks til I felt comfortable again. Life is so much better without the Gallbladder. I wish you a speedy recovery and this time next week you will feel so glad you did it I promise you!

RebeccaCloud9 · 25/04/2023 08:57

I'm on the waiting list for my op 😁 it's great to hear all the positive stories, it's putting my mind at ease. Hope all goes well op.

Original poster

Wildflower07 · 25/04/2023 12:52

Fairislefandango · 24/04/2023 22:40

Mine was absolutely fine (and I'm a massive wuss and loathe hospitals even when I'm a visitor!). Had it done in the morning. Home by early evening. Recovery not too bad at all - didn't need to take the heavy-duty painkillers they sent me home with. Paracetamol was enough. Turning over in bed was really hard for a few days though!

I am similar, but thank you for sharing this

OP posts:

Original poster

Wildflower07 · 25/04/2023 12:55

HootyMcBooby76 · 24/04/2023 22:54

Just had mine out 3 weeks ago.

Was a day procedure, done at 12 ish and home by about 7pm that night.
Laparoscopic surgery so have a 3cm scar just under navel, 3cm scar just under breastbone, another 1.5cm scar above right hip and a fourth 1.5cm scar at right side rib cage.
I will be honest, the first three days were hard. It was hard to get up from a sitting position or to get comfortable in bed or to roll over.
My tips would be to take soft loose clothes for the journey home, invest in a front fastening soft non underwired bra to save yourself from twisting trying to get a bra on and also, the underwires rub right over where one of your incisions will be.
Soft joggers to avoid rubbing over your belly button incision.
Slip-on shoes so you don't have to bend over to put shoes on.

If you need to cough use a pillow or cushion to support your abdomen.

One of my wounds got infected and split open a little so I ended up having to buy more adhesive dressings and steri-strips to keep it closed until it healed.
They have left pretty bad scars but as I said I'm only three weeks in so they may fade a bit.
Bathroom visits have been a bit hit or miss since the surgery, still varying from one extreme to the other but have just started a digestive enzyme and a probiotic to see if it helps.

The actual anaesthetic was fine, I don't remember anything after the anaesthetist said "this will all go very quickly now. I'll see you soon", felt and saw my hand slipping off my waist in slow motion then remember nothing until recovery room, nurse saying it was all over. Tube was already out of my throat so I have no memory of that at all. Throat was a little sore.
Took about 1.5 hours in total.
Had a sandwich about 3 hours later, no nausea or vomiting at all after the surgery.
Needed the dihidrocodene for pain relief for 3 or 4 days, then paracetamol or ibuprofen was fine. If you are given codeine ask for some laxatives too, as codeine makes you very constipated and you don't want to be straining after abdominal surgery.

I'm sure you will be great.

Thank you for this! Excellent advice

OP posts:

steff13 · 25/04/2023 12:57

Easy peasy. It was ambulatory surgery, I slept on the couch for the first week because I wasn't supposed to climb the stairs and I couldn't drive or lift anything for a couple of weeks but other than that it was no problem at all.