gallbladder op for 27th Oct and I'm terrified of post op problems :-(

[ZingOfSeven]

I had biliary colic in August. I had pain in my liver, stomach & back infection and got jaundiced, so after I was admitted to hospital on the 29th August and given lots of painkillers I had a scan which confirmed gallstones.
had an MRI as well which showed no obstructions, so I must have passed the stone, but they said I need gallbladder out urgently.
I had two previous attacks. the one in March, when still pg with DC7 was considered indigestion, the one in July, when BabyZing was just 10 days old, was explained away as gastritis.

I was discharged on 1st Sept and on a low fat & non-dairy diet (well I have some low fat dairy as I bf) and been absolutely fine since, so I question if I should even have this surgery.

I'm terrified of having it out then ending up with constant pain, indigestion, recurring D&V and having to be on a very strict diet for the rest of my life. I really worry what I will do if that happens. we have 7 children, baby's only 2.5 months and I can't face a life of being obsessed about food and having diarrhoea every day.
because I spoke to relatives and friends and the reality is that these things could easily happen to me.

I can't stop crying. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm damned if I do, damned if I don't.
I'm painfree now and have no toilet issues - which other have before op. I might never have any problems again. or is it likely that I will because I've already had biliary colic& jaundice?
what the hell should I do? I think I will go ahead with op because potential risk of pancreatitis and other complications frighten me to but I so worry that "my quality of life" will be ruined, everything will be worse than it is now and that I will regret having op done.

This is driving me nuts and makes me very upset

I'm afraid I'm one of those 5% of people I had my gallbladder out when ds4 was six weeks old because of getting really ill with an infection. After that it has been down hill for me. Have been in hospital numerous times with acute pancreatitis have had loads of tests and they can't find out why this keeps on happening. I would just like to point out I know three people who had they gallbladder out around the same time and they are fine.
You cannot predict what will happen you just have to deal with the situation at present. Good luck

Zombie's dearest, darling Zing. You know Zombie will hold your hand throughout this. And give you gentle ZombieHugs every day. xxx

Zombie
thank you my sweet sweet friend, it means a lot!

yousuf

sorry to hear you are still struggling I know my fears of "will it be worse after" are there precisely because shit happens and sadly you & some others I know or read about are proof of that.
I do wish that your problems will be sorted and I hope you are not in pain.

I have had a horrendous migraine yesterday, no doubt from stressing about this. today was a bit better, but I had a head cold for days now and still feel dizzy. and just so exhausted.
But I stopped crying. Some lovely friends encouraged me greatly yesterday & offered to bring food over when needed.
they are mums of boys in the same choir as DS2 (DS1 left in the summer, but had his leaving party yesterday) and will give lifts to DS2 also.

An MNer, who had the same op PMed me good advice regarding aiding recovery - very grateful for that too.

I wish DH could come with me on Wednesday, but he just can not cancel his work commitment. He's been fab and comes to the rescue when it really matters so it's ok.
I'll be fine

Just came back on here to wish you good luck for tomorrow Zing (in case I forget in the morning). Hope it goes well!

I think you are being very hard on yourself, it's not long since you have given birth, you must be still v. tired. Plus you have 6 other dc to contend with! Perhaps you just need to speak to the consultant and see if it's OK to have a bit of a recuperatory pause before the op? Good luck anyway and hope he can allay your fears!

Stewed

Thank you.
I almost bought mince pies yesterday thinking what if I won't be able to eat them afterwards without them giving me trouble?
I don't know why I'm so fixated on this issue. I can't help it.

I know the only real choices are having op now or having it later. I'm convinced I would end up needing it in a few months or years down the line so it makes sense just getting it over and done with.
That doesn't change the fact that I'm scared shitless about adverse long term side effects.

I will ask if I can stay in for first night regardless. I won't be able to bf baby anyway so there's no rush, although I might prefer to be home then listen to others shouting in their sleep, like it happened when I stayed in for 3 nights in August. That was no fun.

Zing - that sounds like the right decision; I'm in the same situation & have come round to thinking it's better to have my gallbladder out in a planned non-emergency situation, rather than declining now & potentially having complications.

cheese

yes, precisely.
I keep thinking "but I'm fine now" - but so was I between bouts of tonsillitis which made me miss a whole summer when I was 21. tonsillitis & AB for a week , ok for a week - repeat 5 times! at the end I was given one tablet, so strong you are only allowed one a week then was booked in for
a tonsillectomy the following week. it was local anesthetic only and really not fun. I wish I had them buggers out sooner!

So yes, it is not really a choice, but a necessity. stones would inevitable move again and I don't want to take any risks. Have you asked for a referral or still thinking about it?

Pre-op assessment went ok. It was the same lovely doctor who I saw when I was in hospital.
She said I was a "prime candidate" and because I'm young (bless her) and otherwise healthy, recovery should be quick.
I told her I was worried about being sick or bringing up bile or having bad diarrhoea - she said those side effects are unlikely, especially long term, but low-fat diet is advised as high fat diets/meals can cause stomach upsets.

I explained I wanted to get back to bf asap and asked if I could be scheduled in for the morning, not afternoon.
She was great and said she will make sure I'll be the first surgery of the day.
I'll have to bf lying down on my side to start with - I do that already so no problems there.

She said the surgeon (who I had appointment with 2 weeks ago) actually prefers patients to stay in overnight - I'm happy with that, the thought of being "chucked out" before ready was making me nervous too.

She said it's best if I don't lift baby in the first week at all, and recommended to avoid lifting toddler, baby+carseat, pushchair etc for 4-6 weeks if possible.
Good thing my mum is coming to stay for 4 weeks, when I can drive & do schoolruns again I can avoid doing all of that.

The week after half term I'll be only a week post-op so planning to get help with schoolruns (Dh will do mornings, others the afternoons) just in case I won't be able to drive.

So that's me organised. I just hope I won't get another attack or any illnesses. fx for an uneventful waiting period.

and breathe

Looks like the plan is coming together Zing. I'm so pleased you were able to talk to someone sympathetic and understanding. Here's to being stone-free by the end of the month!

So glad the appt went well Zing and you were able to get some reassuring answers. Good luck with it all!

Had keyhole gallbladder sugery 10 days ago.

Honestly it was fine, home same day.

My only issue was nausea due to reabsorption of gas used in keyhole ops but apparantly quite rare.

That's interesting Helensburgh. How long were you waiting for surgery? Could you eat normally while on the waiting list? And Zing, useful to know about recovery with young DC. Glad your mum can help out. 7 children, including a newborn, must take some amount of work.

Had my MRI yesterday & then waiting to see what consultant says. Luckily I've not had any more episodes & seem to be able to tolerate a low fat diet (even spread on toast, a little chocolate etc).

The recovery really worries me, as I have an 18 month old, who is very clingy & not walking yet. DP works long hours, is away overnight a day or 2 a week. We have no family nearby. I usually do drop off's & pickups for school & nursery.

So not driving or being able to lift for 4-6 weeks just doesn't seem do-able.

Will take the consultant's advice though, as I don't want to take unecessary risks.

I had mine out in 2010. I can't face pepperoni (was a major trigger) but I can eat most things as long as I don't over do it.

I do have issues with my tummy but that is linked to other meds for other problems. I was about 13 days then I felt much better. I unfortunately fell in the heavy snow and landed on my right side hurting my scars and they think I bruised so it was 12 weeks before I returned to work but if that hadn't happened I'd have been fine in about 4 weeks x

cheese

you are supposed to be on a low-fat & non-dairy diet.

low-fat because high fat foods make the gallbladder work harder and while it squirts out extra bile to deal with fat it's more likely that a stone will move with the bile and cause and obstruction.
Animal fats are the ones to avoid, oily fish, nuts & seeds and vegetable oils are good, just take small amounts.

I don't know why non-dairy.
Calcium crystal deposits can cause formation of gallstones and/or make existing ones bigger but nobody knows why gallstones are formed. for some it's hereditary and young, slim people and blokes might have them, not just "female, fertile, forty & fat"! ( as was beautifully put by sonographer )

Sometimes they are made from cholesterol, which your body produces anyway regardless of what you consume and vegetarians get them too.
Also we need calcium for healthy bones & teeth so I think a "low-dairy" diet is suitable.

Cut out coffee completely though,it's a major irritant and can cause the gallbladder to spasm. I haven't had any for weeks now, but smell the jar of coffee instead. hmmm, yummy.

Best to avoid alcohol too.

groovee

glad you're ok now

helen

the CO2 pumped in combined with anaesthetics make a lot of people nauseous and physically sick.
DH had double hernia op last year, also keyhole, when they tried to get him to stand up the first time he puked everywhere and almost collapsed.
he is 6'5" and 20 stones it was not a pretty sight. effects of GA & CO2 wore off completely within 24 hours.
I'm very tempted to ask for an anti-emetic, but waiting for the effect of that to wear off would mean delaying getting back to bf so I'll see how bad I feel.

I'm glad to hear it was straightforward Helen and that you are feeling well.

I'm a bit late to this thread but just wanted to say I had my gallbladder out nearly ten years ago and have never had any side effects. I've never been on any special diet, still eat fatty foods, drink coffee and wine etc, just like I did before. Of course I might have been lucky, but it doesn't have to mean a major change to your eating habits. Good luck!

Cheese

Mine was odd in that I could eat an apple and it would happen, I ate a Chinese once and it didn't etc etc.

Don't worry about driving etc.

I

I had mine out on Monday (after a year of abdominal pain. I have Ulcerative Colitus and the now-gone-gallbladder) it took a while to get diagnosis, tests, waiting, cancelled twice by the hospital.

I keep very strict control of fat (I;m a vegetarian, so I cut out cheddar and crisps since I found my cholesterol levels were high)

Certain things (like sitting for a long period) would trigger it.
If I didn't eat during the day, it would lie dormant but that's not feasible.
But even a small amount of cheddar (a toasted sandwich in a pub, or a sprinkling on a homemade pizza) would set it off.
And sometimes it did battle with the colitis and my back would cause pain (like being in a vice)

Early days still, less than 48 hours but I can say the only tender bit is where the camera went in through my belly button. My abdomen feels a bit sensitive but not painful.
Can't lie on my side without a cushion under my belly.

Despite being vegetarian for the past 34 years, I managed to get one of the blighters.
My mum had hers removed in her late 30s. I'd never had my cholesterol tested until Feb.
But I'm the FFFFF (fair skinned, female, 48, 2 DC and at 11stone and 5'5" , I'm carrying a bit extra, that will go , I'm determined )

Oh Zing! I had my gb out via keyhole more than 20 years ago.

Absolutely no problems - uneventful recovery, back at work (A&E nurse) the following week and no problems since except very fatty food has a somewhat rapid transit (but it doesn't stop me )

thanks so much! only 11 days to go but I don't think about it that much atm
I had a MC 6 years ago tomorrow so this weekend is going to be difficult.
I find low-fat non-dairy impossible right now, I'm sad remembering my little baby and I just want to comfort eat.
stupid I know, but it's either choc chip biscuits or not eating at all, as I don't feel hungry.
I lit some candles and do nothing but stare at the flickering lights, thinking about her.
I miss her so much

metalhead & 70

you're not late to thread and thanks for posting!

metalhead I'm glad you are not in too much pain and I hope you recover soon.
keep updating how you're doing pls and what works for you.

70
you made me laugh! thanks

(((Zing)))

I had my gb out a few years ago. I do get diarohea (sp goodness knows) sometimes but only after I've really had far far too much fatty food. But nothing like the trouble the gallstones gave. It was horrendous.

Sorry for the late response on this one but just wanted to chime in with my 2p worth.

I had my gallbladder out via keyhole on October 27th 2013 (how odd!) and it was honestly the best thing I have ever done. I was hospitalised twice with acute cholecystitis and I have never known pain like it. The second time I was hospitalised I begged them to remove my GB as they wanted to discharge me without setting a date. I would have it out now before it gets to the stage of being hospitalised due to complications, it was completely debilitating while at its worst and as well as loosing 3 stone through not eating I would spend hours crying at DH because I wanted my life back.

Now it's gone I'm healthy, I can eat almost anything and am a fully functioning human being again. If I push it with the junk food (especially greasy Chinese take aways) I know about it, but I'd rather take that than worry about having another gallbladder attack at any time.

Post surgery I spent 3 weeks off work and was a little bruised and bloated but no real pain. I ate a bland diet for about a month until my digestive tract became accustomed to its missing friend and thats about it.

Good to hear more positive stories.

I've had my MRI & am seeing the consultant on 17th Nov. I expect he's going to tell me it needs to come out.

Panicking about recovery with a 1 year old & 5 year old, no family support & partner who works away/long hours. Eek.

I had mine out by keyhole. Was back on the ward really quickly., dressed and so impatient to go home they got sick of me andlet mejust after lunch. No pain. Never had even a paracetemol afterwards. No stitches. Driving within 2 days. No change to diet at all- can eat anything. Less stressful than a filling.