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

And I had pancreatitis beforehand which was horrendous. But no probs after op at all

Quick Hi-Jack here.......

Had mine out on Monday, the only tender bit was where they put the camera in through my naval. My belly feels a bit stretched and bloaty still but if I have a prod about, it seems nice and squidgey.

But when can I drive?

When will I stop moseying about like an old woman in a blanket?

When will I be able to sleep on my side without wedging a pillow under my tum (I haven't even attempted to lie on my front)

I need to get my haircut but the thought of stretching my neck back on the basin no no no

70

(hugs)

driving - you can as soon as you are able to do an emergency stop. that's it. dr told me.

slithering in blanket - switch to dressing gown? bit more dignified

sleeping - I'm dreading it.
As I will only be able to bf lying down I expect I'll be sick of being in bed. no idea I'm afraid.
but by the sound of it day 4 is worst. typically everything is at its most swollen state around days 3-5, if you had stitches after giving birth it's a similar problem in terms of the healing process. (the correct medical term is "ouch, ouch, ouch, it fucking hurts")
I hope you can sleep better tonight and will continue to improve.

cheese

it's confirmed then, that you have gallstones, isn't it?
I don't know what to suggest about childcare that will work for you, but the likely solutions are:

• your DH taking time off work
• relative or friend staying with you
• paid help
• combination of above

the 5 year old shouldn't be a problem for you to deal with, but the one year old will need to be carried, lifted etc which you simply won't be able to do. there must be a solution. if only you could move in I could look after you n your kids!

one week to go. I try not to think about it.
I'm sorting kids' uniforms & summer clothes this week.
I normally do this in half term but as I won't be able to do it next week I'm getting ahead. most shorts are packed away, t-shirts sifted through etc.
still have to cook & freeze more portions of soup (watercress & spinach done) but will probably have to leave it for Saturday.

I will have to bf lying down , I hope it won't be too painful.
Anyone has had experience breastfeeding after this op? Any advice?

I had a C-section with DS4 but of course he was a newborn so much smaller and his feet did reach where scar is when lying down.
I'm going to use a pillow to protect my tummy but I'm getting panicky just thinking about him kicking me.

Please try not to worry too much OP. I had mine out in December 2013 and I've had no after effects at all other than if I put on weight it's really hard to get it off again - but that might not be to do with the operation.

I have 4 small scars which personally I quite like - goes with my EMCS scar - and I had a couple of days rest after being discharged but other than that, really no problems.

Zing, I've never breastfed but am sure it will be fine.

With a C-section, there has been a big incision through all the muscle layers of the lower abdomen, which were then stitched back together. Any slight movement/touch HURTS.

'Keyhole' surgery for GB doesn't involve this - just small 'stab' wounds, with sitching to close the skin. Not in the same league. I'm a big soft wimp and I was ok!

Thanks both!

I'm going to have to borrow Zombie's brave face!

people keep asking if I'm ok. I'm not at all in any pain. I keep saying it's like being in between bouts of tonsillitis, nothing is happening and I'm ok right now.

I'm still sorting kids' clothes but done most now. getting there.
5 days to go...

Good luck for next week, Zing. Will be interested to hear how you get on. Hoping everything goes as well as it possibly can x

ok this is it. just waiting to be admitted

wish me luck, I'll update when I can

Good luck Zing

It will all be over very soon and I'm sure you will be fine

Good luck just wanted to add that I'm so glad I had my operation because now I don't have to live in fear of the attacks. I had lots of morphine on the ward so a few days to recover. Take it slow and look after yourself

I had mine removed about 2 years ago via keyhole. I felt so much better immediately, although obviously in pain. I would say I was pretty much pain free after 4 weeks. I'm so glad I got mine out, sometimes get bad bouts of indigestion but pretty rare and I can just about eat and drink what I like.

I have noticed now though that I cannot tolerate co-codamol anymore, it gives me crippling indigestion, even though I used it post-op with no problems, it seemed to affect me about 6 months after op.

Good luck Zing

Thinking of you, Zing.

It's done. phew

I was first surgery of the day as they promised. I had to ask for anti emetics as I was given both morphine & tramadol when I came round.
I still feel woozy, but had just managed to get up & do first wee on the toilet. yay!
full of pain killers obviously and I think they wearing off a bit because I'm getting a bit achy

DH happened to bump into surgeon in cafeteria at lunchtime. He said everything went perfect, it was very straightforward and no complications. What a relief! They will do evening rounds so I can ask about details.
apparently there were a lot a stones seen on the scan in August - I did ask if they could count them and whether it's ok to keep them. (I'm guessing a few dozen and no)

I have 3 small scars. one in belly button, one about 10 cms above it and the third about 5 cms below right ribcage, forming a nice triangle.
The skin is glued not stitched which looks a bit weird.

I have eaten a biscuit and had some tea, bit risky as I feel incredibly woozy and now a bit nauseous. but I was hungry so I had to risk it.
no idea how people go home so soon, no way I could sit in a car feeling this dizzy! (worse than a hangover)
I'm staying in tonight but will go home early morning tomorrow.

I feeI too weak to express breastmilk just yet (even though it's an electric pump) but will try later today.

All in all I'm ok & so far so good. I'm so glad the surgery part is over.

Thank you all for posting and giving me support, it means a lot!

Hooray for it being over.

Try to sleep if you can.

Sips of cold coke can be good.

Oh so glad that you are OK Zing
Get as much rest as you can, hope you have a calm night

I'm really glad it went well for you. Hope you arnt in too much pain when the meds wear off.

Yay!

Don't know how I've missed this thread Zing sorry love.

So glad you're through the op OK, hope the woozy nausea goes soon and you can express a bit. Just getting back to normal bit by bit will help.

It will all be so much better tomorrow when you're back at home.

Hugs and

Really pleased to hear it went well - lots of rest now

Good to hear your update - here's to a good night's rest & a fast recovery

Hi zing

I'm also on zombies thread

I had my gb removed 18 months ago as an emergency.

Recovery was fine, couple of weeks and I more or less felt back to normal. I have had to change my diet as I find I can no longer tolerate red meat (gives me the runs within about 30 mins of eating). However I can still be running to the loo after eating something that is normally fine so it can be unpredictable.

Imodium is my best friend and I sometimes use it as a preventative (gp said its fine to do this) I'm going to a funeral tomorrow so will take an Imodium tonight before bed, which should see me through tomorrow without any mad dashes!

Your discomfort over the next few days will be mainly due to gas, I know I looked 9 months pregnant for about a week. Try drinking peppermint tea, it does help a bit.

Honestly living without a gb is a pain at times, but it's not too bad more of an inconvenience than anything

Pm me if you have any questions x

Well done for tea & biscuits and first wee of course!
Hope you feel stronger soon, I know you really want to be able to express and continue to breastfeed asap

Thanks everyone!

I had a reasonable night and only on paracetamol coz pain level is not too bed.
I feel less woozy and nausea is gone so went to loo all by myself this morning, yay!

you know how I was debating whether I should even get it done? bloody good thing I did.
at afternoon rounds surgeon said:
"you must have been in a bit of pain in the last few weeks again"
me: (blank) umm no. I have been painfree.
him: really?! interesting, because your gallbladder was mildly inflammed. not bad but I can't believe you had no pain with it!
me: good job we got rid of it so quickly!

so lotsofcheese I'd say don't hesitate but go for it asap.
if I'd waited I'd probably have ended up with more problems, infections and possibly emergency surgery.
But this way it was complications free.
A bit if a close shave I'd say, knowing that an inflammation was brewing (and without any signs which is the scary part of it!) and now I have no doubt that it was the right decision!

hth

I don't feel bloated btw but like peppermint tea so will drink it anyway thanks cavk

BBB

don't worry, I'm happy you got here just in time