Gallbladder op tomorrow

[mummynumnum]

Care to share your experiences/stories?

I am very well thank you, it is amazing how quickly you can recover from surgery these days. all I would say is take the drugs - drink plenty of fluids and have high fibre diet - I was ok post op, no vomiting just sore and tired, even managed to eat biscuits and drink coffee

but made the mistake of not taking the drugs in the way suggested for the first night and paid for it, I did then take the full whack for the next couple of days and I think it helped, although I was quite spaced and did not move about that much
after that it was a matter of taking it easy and being sensible
yesterday I was well enough to take dd to the cinema and out for lunch/ shopping

I have not taken painkillers for over 24hrs the only thing bothering me is that I still can't close my jeans, tummy still a bit too big haven't put any weight on so take it still swollen

ah yes, the nurse at my pre-op specifically mentioned taking the painkillers for the first 48 hours!

Hoping I won't be too sleepy and sore afterwards, as will still need to bf the baby!

I was quite spaced but most drugs do that to me I expect you will have another adult around for that period? you really should I think

You'll need to check re the anaesthetic and bfing as well as I was told not to bf for 48hrs after the op just to express - but not sure if that was duff advice or if there is a real risk of some of the anaesthetic being passed to baby - in which case I suppose you would just have a very sleepy baby

yes re breast feeding a good source for advice here

Just an update for you all. After a few days of gallbladder attacks I developed a persistent bad pain and walked into a and e on sun 13th. Took in straight away, morphined up and had pancreatitis. 5 days in hosp. Fri 18th was meant to have op. Cancelled-6th cancellation in total. Dh went mad and surgeons did it first thing sat morn. Out on Sunday after keyhole. Doing really well, enjoying food, but a bit sore but will prob go back to work on Monday! So glad it is over with and although sore it is nowhere near as bad as the pain from gallbladder attack/pancreatitis.

Oh don't worry re bf - am active member of la leche league so have checked it out with friends there :). Just need to make sure that they give me the right painkillers, as most of those aren't suitable.

And yes, have arranged to have help for a couple of weeks post op (have 3 young dc).

How utterly annoying to have to end up with pancreatitis and still have to get stroppy in order to finally get your op numnum.

mummy that sounds an awful way to get to it but glad that part is over I hope the stiff complaint is on the way

cantsleep did not mean to be patronising just mentioning it to be on safe side, hope you took it as intend good luck

Oh gosh - didn't take it as patronising at all! :)

just read the link to kellymom, how annoying that I was given duff advice and it was only with the support of a really nice community midwife who said if I wanted to I could try again to bf (my dd was only 2 wks old when I had the op) that I managed to go bk to bfing but because Id had nearly 3 days with not bfing it took along time to build my supply bk up - but I did get there in the end

I can imagine there must be mums out there that would just give up if they haven't got the righht support

Glad you finally got the op but please don't rush back to work mummynumnum!!! Its still major surgery and your body does need time to recover, your gp will sign you off.

well done for keeping going despite poor advice.

One thing you ladies can answer for me that I forgot to ask at my pre-op, is what do you wear for the surgery? Just knickers?

cantseep I'm afraid all you wear is a back draft hospital thingie but you go on the stretcher at least I did

I am a senco and hate being away from dept but still sore so unsure whether to go back Monday or not. My sick note signs me off till Monday.

Personally I think you would be mad to go back monday, really you should be off for 4-6wks!!! If you rang your gp on mon I am sure he/she would sign you off for at least another wk!

Yes you just wear hospital gown.

mummynu -how do you feel? I can only say that is best to listen to the body but I felt the improvements were quite significant on a daily basis, however I still get quite tired after being out and about, also still getting used to digestion and still feel bloated

cantsleep meant to add think about what to wear from hospital you will be sore and belly will be kind of big

My belly's always big .

But yes thank you will need to have a think. Dress would prob be best for belly, but rubbish for bf!

Shouldn't need 4-6 weeks off - everyone I've spoken to has said a couple is sufficient (unless they can't do it keyhole). But I certainly wouldn't go back on monday - you'll end up hindering your recovery and being off for longer overall.

Eek at being naked - I hadn't expected you to say that!

not quite naked back open hospital gown

a couple of hrs after op they asked if I felt like dressing myself which I did

4-6 seems excessive I plan on going for a jog before the 3 week mark that long without exercise will drive me potty

I teach and am feeling guilty about the kids. But have found I am a bit sorer last few days. Plan is to go back mon but starting to quibble about it more!

I am assuming it is ok to drive after a week as well????

consultant told me that clinically he would say ok to drive after 5-7 days, but that I'd have to talk to my insurance company to make sure that they were happy to insure me that soon afterwards. Prob best to give your insurers a call just to be on the safe side.

I don't drive so not an issue with me, I have been off painkillers since a week post op which I guess it is a consideration

one thing is that I feel tired after I overdo stuff, and yesterday I carried something a bit too heavy and felt it afterwards

not very good at being a patient

I guess it is best to be patient and cautious with recovery for it to go smoothly

can I ask if belly is back to normal? mine seems bloated can't quite close my jeans yet

My belly is ok actually. It is always bulging a bit-post babies!!! but not bulging even bigger since the op!Bit sore from carrying 1yr old around. Work has been a hard decision. Dont feel bad enough to be at home, so going to go in an try work and if it is too much I will have to think again. Perhaps should have tried driving today before head to work tomorrow but will have quick test run in morn and get lift if a prob.

oh dear maybe I need to have it checked have some nifty scars too

I am q surprised at how small scars are. Had to have few mad dashes to toilet though.

I see what you mean good luck for tomorrow