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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:
Dowser · 08/02/2017 18:14

What happened to blasting these stones with ultra sound was it.
Sounds preferable.
Has anyone read dr hulda Clark on gallstones in the cure for all diseases?
Not for the faint hearted.
I've done 7 liver flushes in the past...and really don't want to do any more...but if it means keeping my gall bladder...I might be persuaded.

hugoagogo · 08/02/2017 19:16

My understanding is that blasting the stones with ultrasound hasn't really taken off as a procedure, because often the gallbladder itself is diseased and will continue to cause pain and or stones. Meaning surgery ends up being needed anyway.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is very successful and the vast majority of people recover quickly and completely. You can see why consultants prefer it.

Original poster
PopcornBits · 09/02/2017 09:45

Took 2 calcium carbonates last night and so far it has stopped me going to the toilet!
If anyone's interested and having the same issue as me I got them from Holland & Barrett they're called calcium and vitamin d3 supplements.

OP posts:
Dowser · 09/02/2017 22:26

Thanks Hugo
I didn't know that.

hugoagogo · 10/02/2017 08:42

How are you now popcorn?
What out with the calcium carbonate, my tub ( boots version) says excessive consumption can have a laxative effect!

Original poster
PopcornBits · 10/02/2017 11:17

Oh does it? It's been working so far. No more urgency, it's still rather loose though Blush I don't have very much pain left anymore so starting to feel normal again.

OP posts:
foxyfemke · 10/02/2017 12:52

Wow, in a way glad I stumbled upon this thread. I'm scheduled for my gall bladder to come out on Thursday. A bit scared now, although I don't think it could be any worse than my c section recovery...

TinyTear · 10/02/2017 13:21

Joining the club

Had my gallbladder out on Wednesday. Keyhole

Hoping to go home today
So far have eaten hospital food with no problems but have needed pain killers.

Worrying about how to tell the not yet 2 year old I can do sit down cuddles only...

Original poster
PopcornBits · 10/02/2017 13:51

Tinytear I hope you're feeling ok, keep on top of the painkillers. If they're codeine you might find they'll mask any potential diarrhoea you may get after stopping them or you might be ok and not have any problems.
I couldn't cuddle either, I'm just over a week since I've had it now and can finally do cuddles :)

foxyfemke I think you'll be ok if you've had worse but I will say that everyone seems to have a different experience and for me it was rough and painful. I hope you're a lucky one.

OP posts:
snoopyokay · 10/02/2017 14:51

Hope you feel better soon OP.

Has anyone been told they have gallstones but not had the op? I've been in pain on and off for the last few months and ultrasound confirmed the dreaded stones but not sure if I will have to have the op or can combat another way!

TheRealBarenziah · 10/02/2017 14:54

Glad to see you're improving, Popcorn! My bowels have settled down and I'm now comfortable without being either too loose or too firm, iykwim! My pain is almost completely resolved. The main ongoing issue is just that I feel much more wiped out and sluggish than usual. I'm managing to potter around the house OK and am able to go out for short periods, but if I push myself too hard I end up paying for it later! DP has a work function tonight some distance away and I've volunteered to play chaffeur so he can have a drink; I'm going to visit my parents nearby before collecting him at the end of the night. We shall see how well I tolerate being ambulatory for so long!

dahliaaa · 10/02/2017 20:40

snoopy how much pain are you in. Mine is very uncomfortable ache in ribs which lasts for few days at a time. (Like someone has kicked me.)

dahliaaa · 10/02/2017 20:41

TinyTear have you had complications ?
I thought in most cases people go home the same day ?

TinyTear · 11/02/2017 14:28

No complications but there were some logistical issues but I'm home now...

dahliaaa · 11/02/2017 23:50

Glad you are home now Smile

TinyTear · 12/02/2017 14:51

Thanks.

So for ages bowels didn't really move, but today it seems anything I eat makes me run to the toilet.
Is this the new normal or just while I recover?

I'm less than a week post op

woodhill · 13/02/2017 11:24

Had df for dinner yesterday.

He was surprised when I said I was conscious about what Icould eat. Seems to be a myth that after surgery you can eat a anything. Tummy aching today again.

Is it possible I have something else wrong too?

TinyTear · 13/02/2017 18:12

How would you eat anything if you don't have the bile to digest it?

TinyTear · 13/02/2017 18:13

By the way, have you seen these? My 5 yo loves them

Gallbladder removal POST OP
Gallbladder removal POST OP
wheezles · 13/02/2017 19:25

I'm 13 months post op and I can't eat anything I want- but I can eat 75% more than I could before I had it!

Diarrrohea more regular than I'd like but a good diet, avoidance of fatty food, dairy and bread keeps me mostly ok.

Just trumpy.

toot

trinity0097 · 13/02/2017 19:35

You can just eat just fine without bile (although after the op your bile would just be constantly going into your system, rather than being regulated by the gallbladder.)

I've had a month of all my bile coming out via a drain, and although I've been doing low fat I have been eating normal food. I don't really think that low fat is doing anything though, but haven't wanted to try just in case! So it is possible to eat without bile.

snoopyokay · 13/02/2017 20:13

I get a lot of pain and been to A&E once, but have got co-codamol now thank god! As soon as I feel an attack coming on I take one of those and it helps eventually.

I like the cartoons Tiny!

Trinity via a drain? That doesn't sound very nice.

Mine seems to have been bought on my the birth of my daughter last year, never had problems before that.

trinity0097 · 13/02/2017 20:41

It was fine, but it's gone bad (pain and slow draining) and still have 4 weeks to wait before my gallbladder removal, although they are going to speak to the surgeon to see if it can be expedited after another hospital admission over the weekend due to pain.

I can't wait to have it removed, but I really wanted to keep the stones, but the chap at the weekend said I wouldn't be allowed :-(

TinyTear · 15/02/2017 10:20

Last night managed to sleep on the right side. Yay
Feels like such a victory

foxyfemke · 18/02/2017 11:50

Had mine out on Thursday and so far so good. Pain is nowhere near as bad as I expected and my stools so far have been fine.