Gallbladder removal - digestive support ?

[Janus31]

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

Thanks Carminia I think I'll try some deep breathing exercises to see if that helps.

I think it can be just part of the repair process. Your body now has to adjust to a new digestive process without the gallbladder.

I have had some breathing oddities too. I am 15 days out now, still some right side pain, soreness. But nothing like pain was before op

be kind to yourself, rest up, walk as much as you can.

I had my first bath today, soak, boy that felt good :)

Can't wait for my first proper bath !!!

I've been having very shallow ones but would love a long soak. The glue has come out of my incisions though and one of them has opened a little. The others look great so I have just stuck a couple of Steri strips over that one. Will it a couple of days before planning my big bath !

Janus31 , how lovely to have a bath!
I am 10 days since the op, I still have water proof plasters on. My stitches are self dissolving type.
Do you have the plasters on?
Or the stitches are out?

Thank you for the responses.

my stitches are self dissolving

is the one nearest the belly button that is most tender (this is the incision where they extract the gb)

diet is generally fine, improving, I mean I can have some treats as well as healthy food

I had some pizza (was one with spinach on) last night, was fine. Apart from the shot of wheat/gluten. Did get some reflux.

hey ho, awareness is the key. Discover what triggers any pains, symptoms is the key. For me my older digestive system does not tolerate wheat/gluten that well.

I have been taking some lecithin past day or so, teaspoon in water with meals. Feel is helping with emulsifying of fats.

www.gate2biotech.com/lecithin-found-to-have-beneficial-effects-on-fat-metabolism-1/

My dh seems to think I will be fine at home the following day on my own. I am not being a drama queen saying I will need someone there or am I?

You need to have someone with you overnight for them to let you out of hospital after a general anaesthetic.
Re the next day .. will you have any dc to look after? If so you will definitely need someone with you.

My youngest is 11 now so not a little one.

I had my gallbladder removed shortly after the birth of my dd 11 years ago, I had pregnancy gall stones and was in agony for most of the 2nd half of the pregnancy.

My digestion is still quite iffy, I get IBS which flairs up for no obvious reason but tbh my diet is far from perfect I still have no regrets having it taken out, I couldn't have gone on like I was.

Chaplin it would be much nicer for you to have someone there but if it's not possible I would make sure that you've got some very easy snacks to eat and easy access drinks etc.

Asking if any of you had a delayed period after the surgery? I am overdue now by a couple of days (definitely no risk of pregnancy!), but I feel all my usual symptoms... but seems to be going on for a few days! I normally get the symptoms bad the day before and first day of period . I reckon is the general stress of the body but wanted to compare notes , thanks

I'm not sure this time because my cycle is all over the place anyway with perimenopause - but from the experience of previous surgery it was definitely affected for a month or so.

Hi - how are you all doing ?

I am doing well, I month post op. I can eat fatty foods ok, in moderation.
I am still on weight loss quest, so I am restricting my diet because of this anyway.

pain on right side is pretty much gone, get the odd twinge. For me still on wheat/gluten free. This is because I seem to have developed an allergy to wheat/gluten. It can also be huge trigger for acid reflux for me

overall I am very pleased with gallbladder removal, has been successful

big concern is that I return to work later this week, this will be huge test for me, as I have been off not only from digestive issues, right flank pains, but stress too

I am really concerned how stress levels at work are going to affect me

Hi Janus I hope your return to work goes well. I found that I got very tired when infest returned.
3 weeks post op and I am having v significant problems with constipation despite lots of self help things and using laxatives :-(

dahliaaa

thanks> I am dreading going back :(

have you tried lecithin granules (non-GMO) ? they can really help loosen everything up

I'll add those to list !

Hi Janus,
I hope your return to work goes well, really sending you lots of positive vibes!!
I have just gone back to work after more than 1 year break ... the stress got so bad that I ended up with a proper stress burnout, with panic attacks, etc, it was very serious and scary. I took 3 months sick, then unpaid leave and when that run out I just left ... now I am in different company as self employed and part-time.
All I can say is that you know that stress is affecting/ affected you so being proactive is key.
Unfortunately I got into a situation at the time where I did not recognise the symptoms.
At work, do you have the possibility to discuss with manager and HR and put in place certain measures?
Eg,
-list your workload and if too much ask to be taken out of your responsibility

• is there chance for some days from home?
• less hours?

I know economically may not be viable ... Have you seen your GP re stress? They can write a note stating review of work is advisable, etc. At the time I went to the GP and also self-referred myself thru the NHS to the Mental Health support (cannot remember exact name), you fill online information and they call you and they gave me CBT therapy sessions and then counselling, I cannot stress enough how much that helped me, again we are all different and as I said my situation was pretty bad.

Re gallbladder, I am nearly a month after op and I have incorporated some fat and I seem to tolerate it ok.
I was gluten free and diary free for 4 months and that helped me a lot for acid reflux, now I have incorporated some gluten and diary and as long as is not every day and small amounts seems to be ok.

My problem is that with all these issues I lost a lot of weight (under-weight) and I am trying to gain some ... still no luck and difficult to do with digestive problems but I am hoping now after the surgery I will be able to.
I do get tired after a day at work, so I try to take it easy and remind myself not to overdo it , be so perfectionist!

Dahliaaa- sorry you are suffering, I am afraid I cannot help with that but hope you get better x

Thanks Carminia glad you are healing well and good for you tackling the stress issue head on.

You don’t need dietary supplements. Your liver still makes bile and it stills flows down the bile duct to your duodenum to help with digestion of fatty foods. You simply don’t have the storage bag which stores bile when extra is made.

thanks Carminia

I had CBT years ago, try to implement it every day. Is great tool
thank you for the NHS details
I am worried about my stress levels. I am concerned I may lose it at work, mentally I mean. Although I have been very unwell for past 3 months with GERD+gallbladder I have not missed that office one jot. I have raised my issues and stress and co-factor for illness just before I keeled over at work (literally)

you are so right, is about 'going easy on one self'. That will be my plan of attack when I go back Thursday

as for supplements, is personal choice. You have to do/take what you think works best for you. We all different. Now, I use to take a lot of supplements not that long ago. Now I try to eat as wholesome as I can. That said, I do believe there can be a situation for supplementing. Lecithin does emulsify fats.

this in my opinion can lesson the burden on the bile/biliary system, and of course the liver

kefir (probiotic drink) can also get things moving, get the gut health back on track

I meant to say Carminia, well done for changing your work situation. I too want to go self employed. I will try to work out some plans

you are so right about being proactive, is the key. Cannot wait around to expect things to change. Have to take action

Hi Janus, hope work is going ok for you. I remembered that you mentioned you were going back 🍀

And Dahliaaa , hope you are feeling better!