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Original poster

How to bounce back after gallstone op.

53 replies

SunnyStriker · 30/04/2015 11:13

I'm due to have my gallbladder removed in the next few weeks. What 'super foods' and/or vitamins can I take before and after the op to aid a speedy recovery and to make me feel as well and strong as possible?

I know I will have to take it easy for a while and there are no miracle foods that will have me dancing around the recovery room I just want suggestions of things I can eat/take to achieve optimum health before and after.
TIA

OP posts:
hugoagogo · 05/05/2015 07:44

My advice is take it as easy as you can and don't interfere with your belly button! I tried to clean mine with surgical spirit and a cotton bud and the glue came off.

Now that is the only wound that won't heal and I am back to loads of rest and antibiotics, when I had hoped to be back at work by now.

ConfusedInBath · 05/05/2015 08:39

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legoqueen · 05/05/2015 08:46

I second the advice to completely rest as much as you can - didn't come naturally to me as I'm a doer not a rester! I was told that I could change my dressings after 2 days - I'm such a wuss that I asked the GP practice nurse if she would do it & she kindly did. She did say that the belly button wound is often the tricky one. Did you both have glue...I have staples which are being removed on Thursday...not looking forward to that. hugo are you back in jeans/clothes with waists yet? Confused hope that you have help with school runs etc & ignore housework until your DH returns!

Skeppers · 05/05/2015 08:54

I had complications with my gallstone surgery (the operation ended up taking a good few hours rather than 45 mins)- was signed off for 6 weeks- but felt absolutely fine, albeit a bit achey, after about a week. Resting did help. I was spaced out on Tramadol and high-dosage codeine which meant I didn't really have a choice as I was drifting in and out of consciousness most of the time! But you won't believe how much better you'll feel now that the operation is done. Gallstone pain is THE WORST pain I have ever experienced- although tbf I've not yet experienced childbirth- I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. My life has literally changed since having (what was left) of my gallbladder whipped out!

Rest when you can. I found walking a bit uncomfortable for a couple of weeks post-op, like I'd been in a car crash. Eat lots of hot, buttery toast and drink plenty of tea!

Get well soon! Smile

ConfusedInBath · 05/05/2015 09:11

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hugoagogo · 05/05/2015 09:55

I have had my jeans on, but I think it was a mistake and might have irritated the belly button. I am keeping to my pjs at home now and some soft jersey trousers if I have to be out in public.

It's frustrating that the three other wounds have healed so well, but my belly button is all yuk.

I only had two attacks of biliary colic that were bad enough to go to a&e, so I feel pretty lucky, although they did last quite a long time, I feel quite jealous of those people who only have it for a few hours. A bit like people who have short labours- I cant deliver a baby in under 18 hours! Hmm

It is lovely not to have that niggly gallstone poking in my side and heartburny feeling in my chest at all times.

Original poster
SunnyStriker · 05/05/2015 10:13

confused I'm pleased it went well for you. Hope you're back to normal self soon.

skeppers sorry it didn't all go to plan for you buy at least the gallbladder has gone. Can I ask why it wasn't straight foreword? I've been told that because I've had a few infections due to the gallstones it can make the whole area 'sticky' and more difficult to remove meaning they often have to abandon keyhole and make a cut. Did that happen to you?

OP posts:
Original poster
SunnyStriker · 05/05/2015 10:16

hug I never considered needing comfy, no - waistband clothes......I'll need to go shopping!

Also I'll go in armed with peppermint tea bags.

I just want to get it done now....

Great tips Smile

OP posts:
feministdog · 05/05/2015 10:20

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ConfusedInBath · 05/05/2015 10:25

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legoqueen · 05/05/2015 10:32

Hope it goes well for you Sunny I only ever had one bad biliary colic attack so there have been points when I've wondered whether the op was really necessary. I also had to have an ERCP about a month ago to remove a stone that had escaped from the gall bladder & was stuck in my bile duct - had complications (tear to duodenum & pancreatitis) following that & was in hospital for a week so was very nervous about next op but it was okay...will be glad to put this all behind me. Let us know how you get on Grin

Original poster
SunnyStriker · 05/05/2015 10:35

feminist thanks for posting.
I've been worried about leaving my 2 year old and looking after her afterwards. So it's good to read that you've managed it all with a 2 month old!!

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feministdog · 05/05/2015 11:00

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Skeppers · 05/05/2015 14:20

SunnyStriker Basically my gallbladder had 'exploded' Shock; it had been torn to shreds by the gallstone (I only had one biggie) trying to work its way out and there were bits of gallbladder stuck all over my other internal organs. Niiiiiiiice. The surgeon came to see me whilst I was in recovery and regarded me with awe; apparently it was one of the worst ones she'd ever seen! I was quite proud.

I got away with keyhole. They were literally minutes away from having to open me up, but a specialist surgeon became available and they sorted me out without having to, which was a relief. But the op took at least 3 times longer than it should have done. I was lucky really, all things considered.

The surgeon said that I should have been in absolute agony on the day of the operation, the state that my insides were in. Weirdly, I actually felt better than I had for a long time!

ConfusedInBath · 07/05/2015 06:56

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Original poster
SunnyStriker · 07/05/2015 09:47

confused everyone I've spoken to about it says the bellybutton wound is the most painful and takes the longest to heal so if it looks and smells ok I'm sure it's normal.
Feeling queasy is probably the ga still in your system. I think it takes a while to leave completely.
I hope someone who knows more than me replies!!

I'm still waiting for my appointment letter. How long after first appointment with a surgeon did you have your op??

OP posts:
ConfusedInBath · 07/05/2015 09:57

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legoqueen · 07/05/2015 13:15

Confused my belly button wound is still painful at times this second week in so I'm too assuming that's normal - it's the biggest port & also where there will have been the most internal activity during the procedure. I still haven't got my appetite back fully - not necessarily a bad thing in my case Grin. I must admit to gaving a tiny bit of chocolate today - first taste since 14 January as I followed the Gall Badder Diet following diagnosis...hoping to keep to some of the healthier habits still. Good to hear your DH will be back, that's a relief for you!

ConfusedInBath · 07/05/2015 15:00

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legoqueen · 07/05/2015 15:25

Much improved thanks Confused, just with some wound pain & still tiring easily. I've had some help with the school runs but had to do them both myself on foot yesterday, as DH was bluelighted to hospital at 7am with chest pains - you couldn't make it up (battery of cardiac tests all okay so they assume muscular, relieved he's ok but jeez what timing!) - & was pretty floored by the two 20 minute walks. Also finding it hard to sleep comfortably through the night still. Staples out later today & will see if doc recommends extending sick note from work which runs out on Monday. Gall Bladder diet is simply very low fat - eat nothing that's more than 5g fat per 100g. Very boring, but I'm down 2 dress sizes & at my wedding weight...not sure this is sustainable but every cloud...Grin

YoureMyWifeNowDave · 09/05/2015 08:57

I'm sat waiting to go down for my op now! Bit nervy Grin

hugoagogo · 09/05/2015 09:23

Oh wishing you well Dave Flowers

legoqueen · 09/05/2015 10:31

Good luck, Dave Flowers

hairypaws · 09/05/2015 10:42

I felt so much better immediately tbh. I was obviously in pain but other than that I felt so much better than I had previously.

KittiKat · 09/05/2015 10:54

May I just ask how long you all had to wait before the operation? I have been having very severe attacks for the past 4 months and my GP referred me for a scan on Wednesday as he thinks it is definitely gallstones. He very kindly gave me co-codamal tablets which I can take if I get another attack before they do anything about it.

I almost dialled 999 last Saturday as the pain was so bad. Blush First time it happened I thought I was having a heart attack.

Also, I live on my own so will I need someone to come and stay then for the first 24 hours?