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Original poster

Anybody had their gall bladder removed?

18 replies

dieselten · 19/04/2006 12:48

Can you tell me how you found it? I am having the op on Friday and getting a little nervous. Mostly worried about post-op pain and how long it takes to recover after keyhole surgery. My MIL, aka the Voice of Doom, tells me that I will be bed-ridden, in pain and unable to drive for at least three weeks. I do think this is completely over the top but in my nervous state her insane ramblings are creeping into my head and becoming fact. Help please.

TIA
xx

OP posts:
JackieNo · 19/04/2006 13:08

Don't think it's all that bad - I had mine removed about 4 years ago, and I was in hospital for 2 days (one of those 'dose yourself up with morphine' devices, which I didn't really need the second day), at home with painkillers after that, and advised not to do any heavy lifting for a couple of weeks. I seem to remember that after 2 weeks I was moving paving slabs around so I could paint some of the outside of the houseBlushGrin. When I told the consultant he said 'I'll pretend you didn't tell me that'. Should be OK to drive after a couple of weeks, I think, but check with your doctor (and maybe your insurance company?). HTH. Good luck.

dublindee · 19/04/2006 13:16

Had mine out 3 years ago. As for pain? if you cope with the actual gallstones the op is a doddle. i was up and about doing normal stuff in 3 days. Sitting for long periods and heavy lifting are out for about 2 weeks. be sensible and you'll be fine! Ignore MIL.

Original poster
dieselten · 19/04/2006 13:41

JackieNo LOL at the paving stones. Hadn't even thought about checking with the insurance company so may well do that.

Dublindee. You're right about the pain from the gallstones, horrendous! Also right about ignoring MIL!

Thanks both for your comments. Much appreciated.

OP posts:
dublindee · 19/04/2006 13:53

Welcome!

JackieNo · 19/04/2006 13:54

Grin and Blush. Good luck - hope it goes OK, and use it as an excuse to sit around reading and watching daytime TV for a couple of weeksWink.

reiver · 19/04/2006 21:54

Please ignore MIL's "helpful" comments! Had mine done several years ago and really it was no big deal. I was up and about within 24 hours & soon pottering around. It was discomfort rather than pain. I did find I needed to sleep propped up on pillows for a few days ........but perhaps that was just me? I needed very loose clothing for a few days though. Worst bit was I went off alcohol for several weeks afterwards!!

Beauregard · 19/04/2006 22:08

hi my moms just had hers out (last wed) shes been a bit uncomfortable but hers was a tricky one apparantley! she is much better now apart from yesterday when my dad turned the hose pipe on her by mistake.dont worry you will be fine and like my mom you might have a nice jar of gallstones to rattle at your lo,good luck.

jamese · 20/04/2006 16:28

I'm having mine out in a couple of weeks and was wondering when I could have a party. My DH will be finishing studying the day before my Op and I thought that I would be able to have a party that weekend, then my op came through suddenly.

I am having the op on Thursday (keyhole hopefully,but if any problems then could be other). I have been told that I will probably have to stay overnight (as overweight and having a general) do you think I would be up for holding a BBQ on the Sunday???? I am guessing not - but how about the following week?

Also - do I need to think about getting someone to look after DD (2.4) for a few days or should I be ok by the Monday?

catsmother · 20/04/2006 16:35

How long did all of you have to wait for your op (from seeing your doctor) if you don't mind me asking ?

I've been told I've got to have mine out (have had scan and further appt at GPs) but as yet am still waiting to hear again from the hospital ..... my 1st attack was Xmas Day BTW.

dublindee · 20/04/2006 16:45

No barbie that weekwnd pet you'll be too sore. As for 2yo - How chilled is DD? If she's easliy amused no need, if a bit if a handful get some help!

Catsmother I was diagnosed in June and had op in late October. I was in Ireland at the time and I went private.....

jamese · 20/04/2006 18:29

Dublindee - thought as much, just being Overly optimistic.... Do you think the following weekend would be ok?

Re DD - very chilled, she likes to play lots, but as she isn't allowed to watch tv as much as she would like, I am sure that she would be very happy with CBeebies all day!!!

Also happy to paint, playdo etc as long as I take an interest (Which I can do from the settee)..

Catsmother. I had my first attack last April (2005), but had scan last September, when I left it for ages (as no pain) until after christmas. Then went back to docs who got me an appt to see consultant. Got a last minute appt (cancellation) then heard nothing for about 1 month, but then called a letter saying had op 3 weeks later.... I did put my self down for being able to have last minute op so not sure if it was really my turn, or got a cancellation etc.

Can't wait to have it now - getting pains from eating the most boring food.... Although tablets cancel out most attacks, when they don't boy am I in trouble.....

dublindee · 21/04/2006 09:07

You should be fine for the following week provided all the slaving isn't left up to you!

DD sounds like a female version of my DS -angel- but maybe have friend pop in on the Monday for a few hours so you can just totally rest?

Pain shouldn't be too horrific but the anaesthetic takes a lot out of you so you wont have a whole heap of energy.

Explain to DD -if yiou think she'll understand- that mummy had nasty things taken out that were making her sore and the doctors said you had to rest to get better - that way she'll feel involved but won't wonder why you're different with her!

jamese · 21/04/2006 09:19

thanks for the advise dublindee. Especially about telling DD about it. She is very aware that'Mummy got a poorly tummy again' and offers to kiss it. This can be very embarrassing out in public as my tummy is not for public deplay (being as large as it is!)...

Re doing all the grafting. Usually yes that me, but as DH will be finishing his uni course the day before my op, I am expecting great things from him... Will be my 1st weekend when he will be able to look after DD without me, as he won't be upstairs looked in a room studying - (he was working full time as well).

Have you been able to eat everything after the op, or are there still things you have problems with?

jamese · 21/04/2006 09:22

Unfortunately don't have any friends that could pope in on the Monday as they all work (their children are a lot older than DD) and all the grandparents have passed away, so just us really..

I am sure Cbeebies will be a great help. Also thinking of making loads of cakes/biscuits etc beforehand as DD loves to decorate them, can make that last an hour or so, so only another 8 to go before DH would get home!!!

dublindee · 21/04/2006 09:34

Realistically you can eat anything, but bear in mind your liver takes over the function of the gall-baldder so you don't wanna put any undue pressure on it. Eat whatever you want but try to limit the really stodgy, saturated fat ridden foods as much as poss. It's a great excuse to limit the take-aways and eat more healthily!

God I wish i took my own advice a bit more!

jamese · 21/04/2006 23:01

Cheers dublindee. I don't eat much fatty foods anyway - but was looking forward to being able to eat cream and chocolate again. Although it is obviously eating too much of the above that got me into this mess anyway.

Do only overweight people have problems with gall stones, as have heard the line about gallstones happened when are fat, forty and fertile.

Actually my doctor was really polite and said slightly overweight, forty and fertile. I laughed at the slightly overweight bit but stressed that I wasn't forty.. (only 37 at the time).....

dublindee · 21/04/2006 23:25

Nope, if you have had a big weight loss or gain this can trigger it too. Plus I'm 29 in july and had the op at 26 although not just slightly overweight!!! It can get people who are skinny as well though - my aunt had them. It's too much cholesterol, calcium and protein in your diet that can cause it. Not a medical expert, just one of these people that if I have a problem I'll look up about it and torture myself knowing all the facts!!

Did you know horses and rabbits don't have a gall-bladder?!

ghosty · 22/04/2006 02:54

My fairly frail 80 year old auntie had hers out this year and she recovered really well by all accounts Smile

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