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Original poster

Gallbladder removal POST OP

132 replies

PopcornBits · 01/02/2017 22:33

Hi, I posted up a few days ago about having gallbladder removed and catching a cold! (Which almost cancelled my op today)
Have had the op after begging, pleading, mostly because I have no family, my husband just got back from overseas and will be starting a new contract 6th Feb. So I really needed to get this surgery done.
Anaesthetist checked chest redid temp, all came back ok he was happy to proceed but told me I was at risk for chest infection/pneumonia.

I just want to ask a few questions to those who've had it done now:
How bad was your pain after op? I woke up with bilary colic type pain, (probably from gas) and had to have in total, morphine injection, 2 lots of oramorphs and have just had a codeine. Basically I'm in a lot of pain, not just slight discomfort like the pre op nurse made it sound like!

Secondly, my chest and throat are as dry as sand, and coughing is hurting!
How long is the grogginess dryness going to last?

Also, my wounds have been glued back together, is that usual? I apparently have stitches on the inside though.

Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 07/02/2017 21:18

I was basically scared into having mine out by the surgeon (who was lovely really!), he told me I was at risk of having pancreatitis again and it could be fatal! I was at A & E on 4th May and he'd booked me in for the op on 16th.

I know I needed to have it out but I wish it had been as easy as I was told. I did have some spectacular gallstones though!

woodhill · 07/02/2017 21:19

Thanks for this thread OP. I had my GB out before Christmas. Met friends Friday evening and ate late with some wine. Felt terrible Saturday with awful wind, diorrea and pain. Feeling better again but always worried about eating the wrong things and alcohol.

PlectrumElectrum · 07/02/2017 21:29

To be fair I think 1 week in I was still in pain/ill & felt like crap but sooooo much better than I'd been pre-op (I had a really severe attack 3 wks before scheduled surgery & wasn't aware a gallstone had lodged in my bile duct - had to get it cut out & had a drain in for 5 days after surgery). I think the immediate week or 2 after I hadn't bounced back the way I'd been led to believe so was convinced I was left with loads of post op complications. But, it did settle down & the excessive wind is the worst it gets now. I've not really watched what I ate (1 surgeon said I could eat what I liked after & ive taken her at her word to the point I've put on about 1st in weight in the year since I had mine outBlush) and I'm really glad I had mine out.

I think overall I've been very fortunate to have had the surgery & it's been worth it.

fuckweasel · 07/02/2017 21:29

Apart from one episode of cholecystitis, I was pretty much asymptomatic. However, my gallbladder was found to be very infected during surgery (hence the conversion to open surgery, along with the massive gallstone!). Apparently this can be life threatening so glad I went ahead.

phizzwizard · 07/02/2017 21:57

Sorry you're suffering - you too fuckweasel - I had mine out just over 2 years ago, and like fuckweasel mine too was a conversion to open surgery, it was infected, stuck to other bits of me, and jam packed with stones... it was a terrible experience! Very unlike the easy op and swift recovery I'd expected.

Long term I've been left with indigestion and lots of burping, but otherwise OK... hopefully you both feel much better soon Flowers

Original poster
PopcornBits · 08/02/2017 09:30

This is why I think it's absolutely necessary to have it removed. I have a friend who had hers out, it still gives her pain at the site of where her gallbladder was when she eats something too high in fat, she said she's not sure it was worth it.
But I think if she hadn't, it would have got infected or she could have got pancreatitis, you can't live with gallstone pain forever and even if you don't have symptoms, like weasel it'll just go gammy inside of you.

I think the op isn't really to relieve symptoms of gallstones, but to stop you from landing in A+E with something worse.

OP posts:
fuckweasel · 08/02/2017 10:01

Just back from GP who's happy I'm on the mend, slowly. Blood tests ( liver function, platelets etc.) still crap but improving gradually! Back to another day on the sofa ......

TheRealBarenziah · 08/02/2017 10:16

Lovely to find this thread, Popcorn - I had my gallbladder out on 1st February too! My pain is almost gone now. My bowels are still annoying - I'm tending towards constipation and have given myself an anal fissure fromg straining Blush My main residual problem is tiredness - I'm managing to do things, but I then get tired out and need to rest afterwards. Until Sunday I was needing an afternoon nap! I've advised work I'm likely to be off for 3 weeks, but I spend part of my working week working from home, so may tentatively restart some work towards the end of next week and do a phased return.

So far today I've managed to sort out my bathroom cupboards - tired now so will lounge around MNing to get my energy back!

Original poster
PopcornBits · 08/02/2017 10:25

weasel glad GP is happy with recovery so far :) how are you feeling today?

I woke up and immediately needed the loo! Took my DD to nursery came back had wholemeal toast and a cuppa with soya and it went straight through me, it was just bile that was coming out, really bloody hurt! I just don't understand what I'm doing wrong, I'm not eating high fat at all. Maybe I need to?

therealbarenziah I think you're lucky to have constipation, from what I've read, most get horrific diarrhoea. I know that wiped out feeling, I've been getting that too, really takes it out of you doesn't it? I'm still shocked that they make it sound so easy to recover from.

OP posts:
MrsSkeffington · 08/02/2017 10:25

It was bloody agony - worse times ten than my c section. See if you can get some anal diclophenic

hugoagogo · 08/02/2017 13:02

Oh that sounds awful. I would ring the ward and tell them you are suffering.

I was given laxatives post op ( I stuck to lots of fluids and dried fruit as they scare me a bit) to counteract the codeine.
So yes diarrhea can be a long term side effect, but what you are describing doesn't sound like something you can just put up with.

Original poster
PopcornBits · 08/02/2017 13:13

I think if I rang, they would tell me it's normal. I remember someone before pre op saying there's a chance I could have diarrhoea and that it could be yellow which is bile. I'm only one week post op so I'd like to think that I'm still recovering and adjusting.

OP posts:
hugoagogo · 08/02/2017 13:19

It's up to you of course, but I wouldn't suffer unnecessarily.
If they do tell you its normal then you will be reassured and they should be able to advise you on how best to relieve the symptoms and how long it is likely to last.

MirabelleTree · 08/02/2017 13:29

Oh no, this sounds awful you poor thing. I'm off to see Consultant next week and worried but I have a big stone, have lived wit it for years and it needs to come out now as kicking of regularly. I think I'll be all stuck together inside and will need to resign myself to high chance of conversion to open surgery. Guess I'll need to clear calendar for good few weeks when I have the date.

TheRealBarenziah · 08/02/2017 13:30

Diarrhoea is fairly normal after gallbladder removal, but if it persists long-term, your surgeon may suggest trying medication. When is your follow-up appointment? (Mine's not for 8 weeks.) Your could discuss it then.

I made it to Waitrose yesterday, which was my first proper experience of driving, and walking around outside the house, since my surgery. My aim today is to make it to a work-cum-social event tonight. I have no doubt it will wipe me out for the rest of the evening, and tomorrow morning, but it's something I'm very keen to attend. I'm planning to do very little tomorrow but sleep!

Original poster
PopcornBits · 08/02/2017 13:34

Bless you I know it takes it out of you walking around, you had open surgery didn't you therealbarenziah?
I don't have a follow up appointment apparently, I'm not sure why, maybe because I had keyhole? But I will definitely go back to GP if this persists.

Take it easy :)

OP posts:
Elendon · 08/02/2017 14:07

I had pain too for a couple of days after. I found peppermint oil in water really helped. Made me understand the pain that colicky babies go through (my poor nephew had this).

It does get better, but I did have a post operative attack a couple of months later, just the one, and it really floored me.

Good luck with the recovery Flowers

Elendon · 08/02/2017 14:09

Oh and don't give babies peppermint oil in water!

TheRealBarenziah · 08/02/2017 14:10

My surgery was laparoscopic. My abdomen is healing really well - my main ongoing complaints are my bowels and my tiredness!

I actually had my procedure done at a private hospital, but funded by the NHS. I wasn't all that impressed with the private experience tbh! I had been considering private health insurance, but having seen the drawbacks of private care (nothing is "joined up" like it would be in the NHS; there's no ITU on site if things go wrong) I'm feeling less keen.

Elendon · 08/02/2017 14:12

The shoulder pain was the worst post op. I had it done keyhole and was told that it was the gas travelling up to the clavicles. So painful, but the peppermint oil in hot water really did relieve it.

AristonAndOn · 08/02/2017 14:30

Oh I remember that Elendin. The shoulder pain SadI had 3 gallbladder attacks and then acute pancreatitis and I was 3 wks postpartum. Sitting up breastfeeding was not a fun experience

MunchMunch · 08/02/2017 14:35

I've had 3 sections and a breast reduction and I wasn't in any pain afterwards unlike when I had my gall bladder out. I remember waking up in recovery asking for something to take the pain away. I was also sick, almost filled one of those cardboard bowls with green liquid.

My throats was dry and croaky for days afterwards. I sometimes get diahorroea if I eat something fatty and it can come on really quickly which sometimes worries me if I need to go out!

Elendon · 08/02/2017 14:55

Ariston Flowers and a huge big Star from me to do that.

I too sometimes get the runs if the food is fatty Munch.

Women are more likely to have gall stones because of oestrogen. Or so my research at the time informed me.

dahliaaa · 08/02/2017 16:14

I'm so glad you started this thread OP.
(I'm waiting for an appointment for my op.)
So far I haven't had any of the extreme pain (touch wood) but I've got an almost constant discomfort under my ribs - even though I am
eating low fat diet and already slim.
I asked consultant if I really need to have it out but because I have 'numerous large gallstones' there is too much of a risk of pancreatitis (?)

I had been expecting him to suggest 'watch and wait' so was quite surprised. It's worrying to see all the potential impacts of the op.

Original poster
PopcornBits · 08/02/2017 17:10

I've been out to get calcium carbonate as that helps with diarrhoea apparently.
I've noticed that it's only happening in the mornings for me, which is somewhat a relief as it means I can go out and not worry about crapping myself in public Blush

munchmunch sounds like you have a lot to compare the op to then, I saw another lady throwing up after the op she didn't look very well at all. I also woke up writhing in pain asking for pain relief as well!

OP posts: