EExperiences of laparoscopic gall bladder removal especially in someone under 30

[Londonmummy66]

Asking for DD who is quite stressed about this. It looks likely that she will have to have her gall bladder removed. Other than websites like NHS which are quite factual, most of the stories she has found about this in young people have been the ones with problems. She realises that this is probably because those who have a trouble free removal don't post. SO anyone who has had this procedure who could provide some reassurance would be gratefully listened to.
Also any advice on what to do/eat etc as she recovers.

Recovery was easy and I had 2 young DC (2 under 2).. I felt like the toxic thing in my body had gone and felt instantly better.

I had some shoulder aches for a few days (the gas collects near your collar bone ) but easily managed with paracetamol.

I'm not under 30 - but I'm not that far over either!

Mine was fine - in surgery for about 2 hrs. Few hours in recovery, discharged home the same day.

A week-ish of pain requiring regular pain relief and a bit of TLC but was e.g. still able to prepare meals, put the washing machine on and sleep OK. Was driving again 10 days after and back at work on day 14.

Back to eating exactly how I was before I had gallbladder issues within about a week and no issues since.

I was early thirties but had laparoscopic removal. It was absolutely fine, in hospital two days, took three weeks off work but could have gone back after 10-14 really. It’s good to be careful with seeing if any food triggers vomiting or nausea after removal as I found I needed to avoid fatty food, garlic and tomato based foods.

I was 29. Had it done on the Monday. In hospital overnight and back teaching the following Monday. No issues at all.

I had trouble free removal, although I am not as young, I’m 64. I had a UTI with bad pain so GP sent me for an ultrasound, where a large gallstone was found, apart from this pain, which mainly disappeared after a course of antibiotics for UTI. I saw a private consultant as my GP wanted to send me for other tests. I had my gallbladder out 10 days later as a day patient, in at 7am and home for 6pm. The hardest part was the waiting, I went down at 11.30am and back in room around 1.30pm. I was given a sandwich and cup of tea, which I was surprised I could eat and next day I ate as normal. I was sent home with some strong painkillers, but never needed them, only paracetamol and then only for 3 days, I have 3 small scars under right breast and a 2 inch scar below my belly button, stitches were dissolvable and I took dressings off after 2 weeks. I stayed at home for 4 days, then on the 5th went for a short walk and gradually increased this over the coming days. I was told I could drive when I felt able, which was about day 10, but I didn’t need to, so maybe could have driven earlier if I had to.

I had mine out when I was 31. The only issue I had was the first GP not believing me because of my age. Potentially outing but I had mine out a month before I got married. The first couple of days were pretty tough pain-wise but after that I was able to crack on with last minute wedding plans while I was off work so it was quite useful. A couple of days before we got married, we went for a multi-course Michelin star lunch and I had no problems with eating any of it!

I had mine out recently. I am mid 40's though. Laparoscopic op still requires careful management afterwards as there is risk of hernias or internal scarring. Your daughter will be advised to take it easy for 5-6 weeks and I suggest she heeds that. This is still a surgery involving a major organ.

Diet wise not everyone responds the same so it's quite important to manage carefully - the bile is weaker so digestion doesn't quite work the same.Weight gain is possible and additional digestive enzymes or bile may be necessary.
H
Wishing you good health

Thank you everyone - really reassuring for her - she's only 23 and still a student so it is all a bit scary.

She is very young to need a gallbladder removal - poor girl. Hope all goes well.

@PoppySaidYesIKnow thank you

I was 19 and in uni. Once it had been removed I felt a million times better, recovery was fine. Slight shoulder pain from the gas bubbles.
One thing to note is that I was advised not to eat high fat foods after, anything fried made me ill. Especially sausages randomly. I stopped eating anything fried and no issues with it since. This was 18 years ago almost!

Thank you - I'm hoping she will feel a lot better afterwards.

I had mine done age 27. No issues apart from not being able to eat McDonald’s fries for years

@Shmoigel - that must be gutting.

I was 25 when I had mine, back in 2007. Recovery was fine, took a couple of weeks to feel okay and I had some shoulder tip pain, which was unpleasant but 1000 times less painful than the horrible gallstones!

I've had no issues at all in the 18+ years since, I didn't even adjust my diet afterwards and was fine. I hope your daughter has a successful op and recovers well and fully!

Not had one. But helped in 1000s of cases as they are bread and butter to a general surgery team.

Shortest I've seen was 14mins from KTS. Some do take hours but it's rare.

They are 99% of the time straightforward. And I don't think I've seen one convert to laparotomy

I was 29 having mine out.

I’m not going to pretend its been trouble free. My digestive system has never returned to normal and I manage it with a combo of Mounjaro (a happy accident in terms of a side effect alongside its intended weightloss benefits) and lopermide.

But, still, not taking it out was not an option, and I will take rushing to the loo over excruciating pain and misery any day of the week!

The actual op was easy - I was up and about the next day, and back to normal in about a week! The worst bit was the post op gas moving around.

Please advise her to eat a low fat diet if she can - I firmly believe I made my situation worse by not helping myself in the first couple of years post op. Lots of people resume life as normal!!

Thank you - yes low fat diet is on the cards.

I’ve had a laparoscopy surgery for endometriosis- so no advice on gallbladder I’m afraid.

For a laparoscopy they will inflate your daughters abdomen with gases (just so they can see what they’re doing) and afterwards it’s pretty painful as the gas tries to escape the body. I got really bad shoulder pain from the gas. Peppermint tea really helps, or peppermint capsules. The scars are so tiny and not noticeable either (just incase she’s worried about scarring with her being young)

I hope it all goes well for her x

I had mine out, late 30s. It was all straightforward. I woke up in recovery and was taken to a ward. The next day, I had the 'bends' a little, which is normal - uncomfortable but not impossible (as per @xSnowFairyx ). I stayed in hospital for 2 or 3 days? I can't completely remember but it was not very long. My first day home, MIL came to look help after DD1, who was about 11mos. The next day, I went to work (part-time 2ndry teacher) and after that I never looked back.

Digestion-wise, it's all been fine. Maybe they advised me not to eat fatty foods but I don't remember and I certainly eat plenty of them without any ill effects.

I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically when I was 27 (I'm now 31). Absolutely no issues at all with the actual op- was in and out of hospital within a day. I think the surgery took about an hour-ish. Had some minor gas pain in my shoulder the next few days, as other replies have mentioned, but only needed paracetamol for that. Was signed off work for 2 weeks but could have gone back after a few days to be honest!!

I did struggle a bit off and on in the next couple of years with what I can only describe as phantom gallbladder attacks (literally same symptoms/pain but obviously no gallbladder). But have worked out that as long as I drink 2L of water a day and avoid super oily food (and randomly tomato soup??) then I'm fine - havent had one of those episodes in over 18 months now

I had mine removed aged 29. I went in for keyhole surgery but then they had to open me up. It took me ages to get over that surgery.

@SUPerSaver721 - I'm sorry to hear that - hopefully DDs will be straightforward - I may buy her an extra large waterbottle though given the advice on here.

I had mine out at age 28. I had 2yo DC1 at the time.

The hardest part was getting a doctor to take me seriously about the pain, on the path to diagnosis. I was misdiagnosed with an ulcer to begin with and had a barium swallow which ruled that out. I was eventually diagnosed by means of an ultrasound.

It turned out I had a big stone in my bile duct. The laparoscopic operation took longer than anticipated because of that, but recovery was completely straightforward. I took DC1 on a long haul flight, on my own, a month later.

Also, my surgeon advised a diet going forward that was high in fibre and low in unhealthy fats, plenty of fruit and veg, everything in moderation. Basically, the advice any doctor would give anyone.