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Original poster

Gallbladder Removal Operation

42 replies

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 10:17

Hi Everyone

Please could I have some advice and hear people's experiences about recovering from a gallbladder removal operation?

My specific concerns are:

Pain - how bad is it afterwards and do you get given adequate pain relief?

Lifting things - specifically my 16 month old daughter, and also lugging her pram about. I am very lucky to have my husband and parents who can help care for her whilst I recover. I am wondering for those who had the op done who have small children, how soon were you regularly able to pick them up/carry them after the op?

Long term effects - I am hearing horror stories about chronic diarrhoea and continuing pain after the op. I realise this isn't common but…

At the moment, I don't have the colic attacks. I have a constant but waxing and waning dull ache in my upper right-hand side, and sporadic indigestion and vomiting. It's not great, but it's not awful either. Frankly I am worried about swapping one set of problems for a worse set of problems based on what I've read.

I realise it's a really common surgery and most are successful. I'm a wuss. Absolutely terrified of having the surgery.

I have two small gallstones which are causing me symptoms, and my GP has recommended I have the surgery to remove my gallbladder. I had the ultrasound scan done Thursday morning, which found the gallstones, and two hours later my GP was on the phone asking if I wanted a referral for surgery! I was impressed at the efficiency but also a bit taken aback as hadn't had time to process things yet. I discussed it with him and I said I'd give it some thought and let him know what I want to do.

Since then I've researched the operation and alternatives (there don't seem to be any effective alternatives from what I could find) and have decided (reluctantly) that surgery is best before it gets worse or I get complications. I'm absolutely terrified of the surgery. My two surgical experiences involve a c-section where the spinal injection anaesthetic didn't work (ended up having general, will spare you the details…) and a colonoscopy where I woke up in the middle of it… 9 so yeah. I realise this is totally different though and a very common operation.

Any advice gratefully received!

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 17/02/2018 10:22

I've read apple juice is excellent for dissolving gall stones - look it up

I've had the op and felt much better - can eat anything and no longer in agony for days on end

Quite simple and straight forward

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 10:32

Thanks Greentulips!

I love apple juice so whether it works or not I'm quite happy to drink it!

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 17/02/2018 10:59

Have you've been advised to follow a fat free diet to reduce them?

notapizzaeater · 17/02/2018 11:05

Watching with interest as in agony yesterday with mine 😢

Footle · 17/02/2018 11:08

If apple juice could solve it...
Just be glad you can have the surgery and get it over with. Is it a keyhole op you're being offered? It's really unlikely to be a big deal!

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 11:13

Footle, it is, and I am sure you are right.

Imagine getting apple juice prescribed on the NHS ;)

OP posts:
Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 11:14

No, no advice as yet but I don't eat a lot of fatty food anyway.
Eating more sensibly at the moment.
But my research suggests only surgery can cure it so I will have to have it. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

OP posts:
Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 11:15

Sorry to hear that, Notapizzaeater.
FWIW pizza is my no 1 enemy as I found out a few weeks ago!
The one rare occasion I have pizza!

OP posts:
Groovee · 17/02/2018 11:18

I was in pain for around 13 days. My gp prescribes more pain relief. After I got some laxatives and pooed properly I felt much better within myself. The constipation is my only side effect.

Arsenalfan06 · 17/02/2018 11:20

Watching with interest too.
Been having symtoms but blood test came back normal. Waiting for a appointment for a scan.

Wisterical · 17/02/2018 11:20

Thr pain will probably get worse, for me it got so awful that I was delighted to have gallbladder removed, keyhole surgery, a night in hospital and felt feeble for about a week after. I've also woken up during a colonoscopy, still get flashbacks and would never have one again. Fortunately bowel issues are now 100% sorted by FODMAP Smile

mercurymaze · 17/02/2018 11:21

i would be very surprised if apple juice could do anything useful Grin though i did read apple cider vingear was good.

I have my gallstones they are huge and hard get th op

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 11:21

Thanks Groovee, I'm glad you felt better eventually and got given pain relief. I think that's one of my fears, being in pain and not having adequate relief.

Arsenalfan06 - my blood tests also came back normal, as did a chest xray. It was only the ultrasound that picked them up.

OP posts:
confusedlittleone · 17/02/2018 11:37

I get diaorrrha if I eat a lot of fatty foods but not if I'm sensible. Pain wasn't to bad-I had slower recovery then expected as I was also 20 weeks pregnant so had to deal with an expanding belly as well! Having mine out was the best thing to ever happen to me tbh

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 11:47

I'm sorry to hear that MercuryMaze, I hope you get your op soon.
Can't imagine having this done whilst pregnant Confused, I'm glad your op was a success though!

OP posts:
mercurymaze · 17/02/2018 12:34

Sorry my message didn't make sense I've had the op all was fine just no heavy lifting for 6 weeks the stones are hard though that's why I didn't think Apple juice would do much

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 13:34

Ah I see Mercury! Sorry I misread your post, thought you were saying it was hard to get the op done! Wink

OP posts:
AutumnalTed · 17/02/2018 13:54

My dad just had this surgery. He had it private though, was meant to be keyhole however it was too inflamed, the worse they’d ever seen and was rushed to a London hospital for a big operation. He met the surgeon before hand and was talked through what would happen but I think that was because it was private. He had loads of morphine and was high as a kite for ages. Released after ten days, with strong painkillers that made him very high. He wasn’t allowed to drive for a couple of weeks. So plan childcare and help just in case it doesn’t go as planned.

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 17/02/2018 14:03

Thanks AutumnalTed. Bless him, how's your dad now?

OP posts:
Snoopyokay · 17/02/2018 15:33

I have just had this op 2 and a half weeks ago. I was worrying myself silly too as I read a lot of horror stories but it really was fine. The first week after was in a bit of pain but nothing I couldn't manage with painkillers.

I couldn't lift my 2 year old for about 10 days but now I'm feeling a lot better - just waiting for the stitches to heal.

Any questions you can PM me I did the same to a lovely lady on here and she put my mind at rest although I probably got on her nerves a bit with my worrying Grin

Footle · 17/02/2018 15:57

You don't have to go private for the surgeon to discuss the op with you!

Rinceoir · 17/02/2018 15:59

I was young having mine done (22) but was back running a week later so recovered very quickly!

fuckweasel · 17/02/2018 16:08

Like a pp's dad, my planned routine keyhole surgery didn't quite go to plan (very infected gallbladder + egg sized stone necessitated open surgery). I was in hospital for five days and off work for six weeks. It's unlikely (5% chance) but worth thinking about just in case it happens unexpectedly.

EllenJanethickerknickers · 17/02/2018 16:19

I was in quite a bit of pain when I came around, but some crying to the nurses Blush got me some oramorph which did the trick. I was a bit woozy for a couple of days and took about a week to feel properly better. I was signed off work for 2 weeks and was advised not to lift anything heavy for 4-5 weeks. I got a 'stitch' like pain for a few weeks if I overexerted myself. Friends who have had the same operation recovered much more quickly, though, so I was either unlucky or a wuss!

I have had no side effects, except that now I can eat anything I like, I have put on some weight!

trinity0097 · 17/02/2018 16:21

2 weeks and I was back at work, 3 weeks or so and I was back on a ow carb high fat diet with no problems.

Constipation afte the op was the worst thing - start taking lactose prior to the op and after it to get that first one moving, as it will hurt to strain!

You need very comfy loose waistband clothes as some of the incisions will be on your waistband. Leggings are no good! I lived in DHs PJs for the first 5 days or so!