DH Gallbladder removal- what to expect

[Davidsmom]

Hi,

My DH is having his gallbladder removed on Tuesday and seems to have been told it will be a breeze, probably keyhole surgery, will only be in for a night and apart from no driving for a week no real home problems. Unfortunately I wasnt able to go with him to the consult to ask any practical questions.

I dont know anyone who has had this done recently but am sure I have heard things dont usually go as smoothly as this. But cant really remember any specifics.

We have 2 DC but one is really playing up at night (19 months) who DH has been settling. I work Tue-Thur which will be very busy next week and the kids have childcare 8-5 those days. I cannot take any of these days off unfortunately.

Sorry about long ramble but suppose I am basically asking what he realistically will be able to do next week. We have really needed the two of us with the kids recently and I am not sure if I can do work, the kids after work and him if he needs more than feeding/ the odd cup of tea. Mum not local- 300+ miles away but would come if really needed.

Help. Am I worrying over nothing??

I had my gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery, one overnight stay. That was 8 years ago, before DC.

I felt pretty crap for a good 2 weeks - was told not to drive, lift anything heavy etc for a bit longer.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely incapable just felt lousy.

Also, just as a side note - I had a VERY upset stomach for days afterwards also suffered extreme trapped wind in my shoulders

It's a bit more than you've been led to expect, tbh.

First off - if they have to convert to an open procedure, he'll probably be in for days and will take weeks to get fully better - big operation, quite disabling and certainly wouldn't be lifting/driving for weeks. However this is very rare now.

He'll need to take things fairly easily, especially wrt lifting, and a week off driving sounds about right.

Otherwise all being well (ie in vast majority of cases) he will be completely self-caring and fine after a time to rest.

Not sure how much childcare he'll be up to for the first week or so, though. Shouldn't really be lifting the toddler, for instance, for at least a fortnight or so. Best to check with the surgical team, they each give different advice as access, port placement and closure techniques all give different results.

Thanks for the replies really helpful.

Yes wondered about the lifting the kids bit. Oldest is 3 1/2 but likes his "carries" especially when out/ tired.

Original post was a bit me, me me! Really do want to support DH when he gets home but at the moment think I may need some help. This past few days has been a killer even with both of us with poorly/ non sleeping DD anyway. Then just had a sudden realisation that his op is in 2 days & I'm shattered now.

Funny thing is I have gallstones too. After 10 years of no symptoms got a few twinges this morning!! Obviously oversympathising!!!?

I had the op just over a year ago. One night in hospital. I was in quite a bit of pain for 2 days, plus trapped wind as others have mentioned. But i had all 4 DC to look after 3 days after op (single Mum). Did the school run a week after op (1 mile walk each way). I still had some pain but took it slowly!
Felt fine within 2 weeks i think.

The worst bit for me was lack of sleep. I normally sleep on my side and that was impossible for at least a week and a half, struggled to sleep laying on my back.

I would say no driving for two weeks was more realistic. He will feel very tired for the first few days. I had a bit of shoulder pain but not too bad. I did find I couldn't wee after the anaesthetic for a few hours which I found quite frightening (was afraid they had done something wrong as I was desperate to go) until finally a different nurse came in to help me and said it was very common!

Also if it isn't keyhole (as another poster said, this is unusual but can happen if the gall bladder is really entrenched) then it is quite a serious surgery to recover from and he will need to recuperate for a lot longer.

I think (if it's not going to make life more difficult) it might be worth having family to help out or even stay for the first few days if your dc are going through a tricky patch.

Hope it all goes smoothly.

Hi there, my DH had this op a bit more than a year ago when dd1 was just under 2 and dd2 was a few months old. He was told he needn't even stay in overnight, but he did because the GA was a bit rough on him. He had a week and a half off work, spent most of it in bed, but didn't need 'looking after' as such, just lots of rest. His mum came down to stay with us, which did help massively as, like you, our nights were rough with the little one. If your mum can come, I would ask her if I were you.

On the plus side he has been massively better since the op, he had terrible symptoms with the stones and he is good as new now!

pain from something like gallbladder removal and quite difficult to know in advance jow painful he will found it. My was intensely painful but I don;t think my pain relief was particularly good.

Shoulder pain was quite intense (from gas used to inflate your stoamch during op) and didn;t ease off for some weeks.

Second the no lifting heavier than a kettle for a while. I lived alone afetr my Gb removal and managed fine on my own so no need for him to be nursed but I think you can forget much help with shopping/DC's for a couple of weeks.

Having seen a friend go through this, all went well, but they would not have wanted kids too close after the op, too tired and sore for the first few days. Sounds like getting Mum down would help

How did it go, OP?