Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Gallbladder removal - what to expect?

19 replies

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:25

Thanks for reading in advance

I've finally got my date for surgery (7th aug)...

Just wondering what to expect post op? Can i drive straight away? Will i be able to lift dd? Eat normal? Pain management? Etc

I'm a lone parent (dd 3.1), and work shifts at my local airport involving some manual handling.

OP posts:

somedayillbesaturdaynite · 18/07/2013 16:27

Only just had referral to surgeon so no idea sorry but wouold love to know the answers too! Am lp with dcs 5 & 7 and wondering too how long it will be until op.

yellowsnownoteatwillyou · 18/07/2013 16:32

Mine was taken out in an emergency so was keyhole then not I that makes sense so recovery was worse.

Recommend vest tops with bra bit in it as no way could you wear a bra ( I'm presuming you are female)

Low down pants as the cut is at your tummy button. Comfy yoga type trousers or dresses.

I couldn't have lifted anything and took a good few days of forcing myself to even walk round the block.

However Fil had no issues at all and was up and about the next day after surgery and couldn't understand the mess I was in.

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:34

If it helps, my referral was in march. I saw my surgeon in may, pre op in June and surgery next month. My friends told me I should make lots of noise to get it done quicker, but I only went to my gp once and bided my time. That was with south Devon health trust, so I'm not sure how quick other trusts move

OP posts:

hillyhilly · 18/07/2013 16:35

It's almost three years since I had mine done by keyhole surgery.
My op was very straightforward and I felt very well - considering.
I was allowed home at around 5pm and was very sleepy that night followed by insomnia! The op was on a Thursday, I stayed in bed Friday and think I pottered a bit at home on the Sat.
I went out on the Sunday but was pretty ginger still, I remember things like stepping down off a kerb jolting my sore innards and being slightly hunched and sore.
By the Monday my dh went back to work leaving me with a 5& 2 yr old - it was half term and it was ok but we did watch a lot of telly!
By weds we were all climbing the walls and we went out and about but by bus and was fine thereafter. I'm not sure when I drove first - after maybe a week?
Of say its not that different in recovery to childbirth, take it very easy for a few days and don't try to do too much.
I've been great ever since by the way

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:36

Thanks yellow for mentioning about the bras and bottoms, I hadn't even thought of that. I've got dance bras and bottoms so will pull them out

OP posts:

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:39

Hilly thank you for adding. In hoping dd will be content with cbeebies, she is going to be looked after my patents for a few days post op so that will be good for her

OP posts:

Dilidali · 18/07/2013 16:39

No lifting for 5-6 weeks. If it is laparoscopic, you will have a 2 cm cut in your belly button , one quite a bit above and one-two more on the sides.
There is a risk of these little cuts to give way to hernias, and then you'll have to be back again, so no lifting/straining until they have healed properly.
You'll feel slightly nauseous afterwards, but you'll have antiemetics prescribed for you. Take painkillers as prescribed, even if you think you're not in THAT much pain, but keep an eye out for constipation, some of them are notorious.
You'll be fine :)

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:42

Constipation is a concern for me tbh. 3 years on from cb, and I've not long got over the fissures. I've got plenty of movicol though so I'll resume that if I need too.

How did you all do with weight after surgery if you don't mind me asking? I seem to have put loads on instead of loosing it, so hoping that will ease

OP posts:

Twunk · 18/07/2013 16:43

I had surgery on a Thursday and I was looking after a very heavy 3 month old breastfed baby about 4 days after with no help. Day after surgery I was still a bit shaky but day 3 I felt fine. I had keyhole surgery but be aware if it becomes open surgery the recovery time is more like weeks than days.

Good luck!

uggmum · 18/07/2013 16:43

I stayed in hospital overnight. I found standing/sitting painful. Once I was fully standing/sitting I was fine, it was the action of doing it that was painful. I had 4 wounds and my belly button one became infected but it did clear up with antibiotics.

I also didn't wear a bras and wore loose clothing. A vest top with support is a good idea.

I took strong painkillers for at least a week. Bear in mind, although its keyhole it's still an operation and you have to take it easy. I was advised not to go to bed and lie down but keep moving around. I did do this and think I healed quicker. Also when you stand up, stand tall and this will improve healing.

I was back walking to school after a week and I was driving again after 2 weeks. However, when I lifted the vacuum cleaner after 8 weeks it really hurt and I felt like I was being pulled inside. So I did get the odd twinge for a while.

One of my wounds was a bit bigger than expected as I had 143 stones and they took some getting out!

Dilidali · 18/07/2013 16:45

Oh, for the op, have some knickers on that you're happy to throw away afterwards, the cleaning solution stains and runs everywhere. Don't wear a bra for the op :), no false nails or nailvarnish. :)

Dilidali · 18/07/2013 16:47

Uggmum, 143????

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:49

I'll pull out a pair of period pants for surgery, thank you for that tip

Oooh another question, sorry...

Im on the combined pill and my surgeon wants me to stop taking it before surgery. Is that normal? Even my pre op nurse thought it was odd given surgery wasn't in my legs which was the only time she would advise not to use it

OP posts:

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 16:50

OUCH uggmum!!!

OP posts:

Dilidali · 18/07/2013 16:52

He is right. The combined contains oestrogen, which amongst other things coagulates your blood to an extent. Add into the equation immobility/ reduced mobility, you've got yourself a nice DVT recipe.

sydlexic · 18/07/2013 16:54

I took 6 weeks to be able to lift a full kettle and had pain if I worked too much for 18 months after. I don't know why, I am usually quite tough.

Original poster

Runwayqueen · 18/07/2013 17:16

Thank you all replying to my op I'm very grateful

I shall look forward to sloughing braless in sweat pants and watching cbeebies

OP posts:

NUFC69 · 20/07/2013 17:49

I had my gall bladder out a year ago last May: I do remember being told no lifting (or riding my bike) for six weeks. I couldn't drive for two weeks. Unlike other posters I am pretty sure I didn't have any trouble with my bra (I think I would have remembered!). My op was keyhole and I had expected to be out that evening; in fact they kept me in overnight. Everything healed up very nicely.

I don't want to worry you, but the day after I was discharged I was back at A and E with excruciating pains. It turned out that they had missed a couple of small gallstones in the bile duct (they eventually discovered them when I had an MRI scan) and they were removed via an endoscopy just before Christmas. I now feel better than I have done for years. Oh, and I can honestly say that I didn't have any pains after the removal, so don't assume that it is going to hurt!

rice1234 · 08/11/2016 17:27

Hi Hillyhilly - I'm just reading your experience about gallbladder removal. Do you now eat a normal and healthy diet? I've been recommended to have my gallbladder out - and have an appointment for the op next week - just feeling really nervous and unsure whether to go ahead with it.

Also, does it affect pregnancy after removal?

Flip