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Original poster

Gallbladder removal - digestive support ?

74 replies

Janus31 · 23/10/2017 09:45

Hi

I have just had my gallbladder removed, 7 days ago

been in pain (typical gallbladder symptoms) for 12 months on and off, got really bad over past 2 months

I am on mend, is too early to say how successful will be, fingers crossed

I was wondering if anyone who had surgery now takes digestive aids like lecithin for fat emulsifying ?

would like to hear from people who have had cholecystectomy
and have you felt improvement by using lecithin, or other digestive enzymes

OP posts:
dahliaaa · 25/10/2017 23:42

I feel cheated now that I have no jar Grin

I've got THE most hideous big scab thing in my tummy button.

dahliaaa · 25/10/2017 23:44

Carminia doesn't sound anywhere near as bad as yours but I've also got a rash which i assumed was from the ointment they use. It must be quite harsh.

fuckweasel · 26/10/2017 16:06

Had my final 'signing off' appointment with one of the surgical team today. The lab report confirmed my gallstone was 5cm in diameter.

trinity0097 · 26/10/2017 17:30

Wow! I had about 40 small ones, but half of them had stuck together in a lump which probably was when I got infected and all problematic

Carminia · 26/10/2017 18:01

dahliaaa
They gave me an anti allergic like piritine, type thig to take. Hope yours is not itchy!,
I am sure you will not mind me posting my yucky rash here it goes, literally a big rectangle from under my boobs to my pant line to the sides of my body.

Gallbladder removal - digestive support ?
Gallbladder removal - digestive support ?
fuckweasel · 26/10/2017 18:03

Mine was infected too; what with being blocked by a mahoosive stone! Strangely had no symptoms just prior to surgery. Necessitated open surgery though. Surgeon today told me it had caused massive inflammation of my liver, hence the sky high LFT tests post surgery and feeling very poorly indeed. There was an awful lot of me swilling out inside with saline apparently!

asongforthelovers · 26/10/2017 18:04

Got mine removed few years ago now, instant relief getting it out.

I haven’t had to take anything, normal diet and no pain or issues since 👍🏻

dahliaaa · 26/10/2017 20:16

Oh Carmenia you poor thing - that looks sore. Mine is nowhere near that size or as 'angry.' Hope it settles really soon.

I haven't got a follow up appointment. Is that the same for everyone else? I've had few ops in past and always had a follow up - but they were a while ago so I guess they are trying to reduce appointments.

dahliaaa · 26/10/2017 20:18

5cm!!!!

I only know from the original scan that i had multiple stones measuring 11mm each so guessing they are quite small.

Carminia · 29/10/2017 23:41

Hi all, I have been ok mostly with digestion ... 8 days after op, but today I went a bit far as I was feeling ok and I had a veggie breakfast, maybe was too fatty ... 4 hours later I tasted a couple of bits of milk chocolate and then I started to bloat. Is 11:30 pm and now I cannot sleep, it is so uncomfortable I really do not know what to do, how to alleviate it.
It is so bad that I am considering waking up DH and telling him how bad I am feeling right now...

Carminia · 29/10/2017 23:42

BTW - rash has gone so at least I am ok on that front!

Original poster
Janus31 · 30/10/2017 07:18

Carminia

what has worked best for me is actually

1x tbsp apple cider vinegar with meals
ginger tea (shop bought or homemade, does not matter, with teaspoon of honey)

ginger tea helps with digestive motility

apple cider vinegar is great digestive aid

OP posts:
Carminia · 30/10/2017 08:41

Thank you Janus31! I will definitely give that a try Flowers

dahliaaa · 30/10/2017 15:56

I can't remember if I mentioned it earlier but peppermint tea is also good. Hope it has eased off now.

dahliaaa · 30/10/2017 15:58

Not sure if anyone saw this message I posted but just wondered if anyone had any insight ? I'm annoyed at myself for not discussing it in advance.

"I was in such a hoo hah before gallbladder op (long story but basically lovely DH has inoperable cancer and I was only focussed on coming out of anaesthetic to be ok for our DC) that I didn't mention my previous umbilical hernia op from a number of years ago (repaired with mesh.)

Only just remembered - will they have seen the mesh when they opened up belly button and realised or will they have inevitably cut through the original repair.

Feel ridiculous now for not mentioning it.
Thanks"

Carminia · 30/10/2017 16:22

Hi Dahliaaa
All has eased now, had a gluten free day and ginger tea 🍵, thank you.
Sorry I am no help with regards the repair of the hernia.
Perhaps you can write / call, does the hospital has a number for post operation patients in case of any issues? You could just call them and explain and tell them you would like to know?
I hope you can find out, do not blame yourself, it sounds as you have plenty on your plate , big hugs 🤗
Flowers

chaplin1409 · 30/10/2017 16:31

It is great to see this thread as I am booked to have my gallbladder out on the 10th. Can I ask a maybe silly question but what do you wear when you have the operation?

Carminia · 30/10/2017 17:42

Hi chaplin1409
Is it laparoscopic? In any case, got the surgery itself they gave me a gown and let me have my knickers on.
I brought my robe and slippers.
Then just a comfy jogger trousers as you will probably be a bit swollen after that.
Hope that helps !

dahliaaa · 30/10/2017 18:04

Hi Chaplin - I was the same. Just make sure that whatever you wear has a really soft waistline for going home.

Carminia I did speak to someone on ward but they didn't now. I think I'll wait and then ask GP if anything on notes from hospital.

fuckweasel · 30/10/2017 18:24

Wore a surgical gown, no underwear! And you'll probably have surgical stockings too. I can't wear them so had some weird cuffs that infated and delated every few minutes. A joy to sleep in!

trinity0097 · 30/10/2017 19:33

I was told to just out a Surgical gown in, but I was having a period so got away with my own pants and a pad as well.

dahliaaa · 30/10/2017 19:44

I forgot to take any slippers. It was fine because I had easy sketchers with me to wear to go to the loo etc but worth remembering.

Original poster
Janus31 · 30/10/2017 22:44

lose clothing, slippers, plenty of water before operation

the pre-op nurse told me to drink plenty of water prior to op (up to the last time you are advised to drink fluids. For me was up to 11am. Was in theatre at 2-30pm)

she said it can really help you feel not so groggy after op. Think for me it did make real difference

and that ginger tea for nausea

OP posts:
dahliaaa · 31/10/2017 08:55

Has anyone had this after the surgery - bit odd ...
I've had a strange sensation where it feels like I'm taking an involuntary extra breath. It's an odd sensation but it's a bit like when you 'catch a breath' if you have been crying (if that makes any sense!) Happens few times an hour.

Carminia · 31/10/2017 11:58

Hi dahliaaa,
I have not experienced exactly what you describe, but after the surgery for the first week or so I felt slightly out of breath felt a bit funny under the sternon (between beasts) area and I needed to breath a bit more (similar to when you cry as you said). I thought it had to do wih the gas they fill you with and gas pressing somehow my upper ribs.
The last couple of days that feeling has gone.
I still have sometimes the feeling I need an extra breath (not involuntary as you said), so I do a bit of belly breathing exercise, ie:
Put hand on your tummy
Breath in to feel tmmy expanding (count to 4)
Stop of a second or two
Breath out feeling the hand lowering (count longer than 4, ideally 8)

I do a couple of minutes and helps me, I also feel relaxing all the tummy and surgery area.
Is just something I do and learn in the past as I suffered with anxiety, but it was to regulate the oxygen in the body.
What yiu describe may be completely different but I thought I share this

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