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Original poster

Gallbladder Removal 2019 - support thread

841 replies

UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 31/12/2018 10:39

Who is or is likely to have their gallbladder removed this year?

There seem to be a lot of threads on the topic (I've read most of them lol) so thought it would be a good idea to start a support thread for people for people having the op soon?

My story:

I'm 35, married with one daughter. I'm about half a stone overweight but reasonably fit. I work full time, husband is SAHP.

Comfort ate and ate irregularly after having my daughter and I have had issues with overeating, which I've now mostly conquered. I also have ulcerative colitis which is being controlled successfully with medication.
I was diagnosed with gallstones in Feb 2018. At the time, I had 2 large ones, 1 and 1.1cm respectively. Could be more by now!

Had been having symptoms for about 6 months before that. It started some time after my daughter was born. She's now 2.2. 12 years ago I had v similar symptoms which ended in a terrible night of pain then nothing for years until 2017. On reflection I wonder if I passed a small gallstone?

So after a year of dithering and fear, plus waiting to get over a colitis flare up earlier this year, I'm now having the op on 18th Jan.

My symptoms started as a dull ache upper right side, feeling sick and occasional vomiting. Now I get back ache, wake up with sore back, twinges, soreness, some acid indigestion. I don't (frantically touch wood) have the terrible colic. But I have some symptoms most days and I feel overall it's getting worse. I want to be well again.

I sometimes feel my gallbladder is swollen, especially at night. I do panic about it.

I've read all the post op horror stories, and all about the post op conditions, although I know that's comparatively unusual. Of course the op is sold as being easy and problem free - I don't believe that's the case! Most common outcome seems to be people are mostly fine unless they have something very fatty or take codeine. Ok, can live with that (hopefully).

What's your story? What are your concerns?

My fears are having digestive issues and pain after the operation, also am apparently being discharged with paracetamol! That doesn't even cure a headache for me! I was on oromorph for 3 days after having my c section, although I know that's not really comparable.

OP posts:
Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 12/05/2019 16:33

Good luck Partridge! Let us know how you get on.

OP posts:
Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 20/05/2019 18:13

Hope your op went well today Partridge! Get well soon Thanks

OP posts:
notapizzaeater · 20/05/2019 18:19

I'm booked in for the 30th. Been today and had my pre assessment

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 20/05/2019 20:01

All done... just waiting in the hospital to be picked up

Katiedays · 20/05/2019 20:08

Hope your feeling okay Partridgeamongstthepigeons.

notapizzaeater · 20/05/2019 20:28

Brilliant- hope you have a good night x

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 20/05/2019 23:01

Thanks bothSmilelying in my own bed now and hoping that I will be able to doze off for a few hours x

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 22/05/2019 07:03

Day 2 post op and slept much better last night. Have already been eating normally. Just a few deep breathing pains after the GA but no horrible gas pains like I had after my c sections.

notapizzaeater · 22/05/2019 08:55

Brilliant, I've just looked in my diary and I'm supposed to be at a bbq on the Saturday ..... still hoping to get there but will see. Regardless of that I NEED to go with my DH to a hospital appointment (he's got advanced lung cancer hence rush for surgery) on the Monday.

Hope my recovery is as good, but be careful and don't do too much.

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 23/05/2019 09:22

Day 3 post op just very tired and sore. Nothing too bad though. Have watered plants with the hose and done a bit of washing up and that's about it. Taking painkillers every 6-7 hours (ibuprofen or paracetamol, trying to lay off cocodamol).

notapizzaeater · 25/05/2019 10:31

@Partridgeamongstthepigeons - how's recovery ?

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 28/05/2019 21:47

Hi how's everyone doing?

OP posts:
Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 28/05/2019 22:04

All fine hereSmileJust itchy now around the incision sites but not really sore anymore Smile

notapizzaeater · 28/05/2019 22:33

I've been for final bloods today ready for Thursday, quite glad as am having a grumbling gallbladder for last 2 days .....

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 29/05/2019 00:54

Good luck for Thursday!

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 29/05/2019 07:31

Good luck for Thursday! It'll be over before you know it Thanks

OP posts:
Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 30/05/2019 05:35

Good luck Notapizzaeater for today!x

Original poster
UserThenLotsOfNumbers · 30/05/2019 08:29

Good luck notapizzaeater! Hope all goes well for you Thanks

OP posts:
Maryjoyce · 30/05/2019 08:36

I can only say what worked for me.
I ate black sesame seeds a teaspoon full 3 times a day and I took lysimachiae herba tablets and Apple cider vinegar with a fruit juice to make drinkable.
I took these 2 months and after 10 days had no pain any more. When I went for a re ultra sound scan I had no gallstones

HazeyCrazey · 30/05/2019 20:15

Evening all, have been reading lots of MN threads on Gallstones, and decided to pluck up courage to ask for advice on mine. 6 months after having DD I developed awful pain starting in my back going to stomach just under breast bone. Called 111 for out of hours appointment and was told as it was around Christmas I must have been eating and drinking too much and put it down to acid reflux! This went on for four years! Until one doctor suggested it could be Gallstones. After a scan it was confirmed I do have them. I have been referred for op and met with the consultant. He explained options of surgery and risks of not having it. I suffer quite badly from Anxiety and Health Anxiety, so I am equally worried about surgery and not having surgery. Scared of being put to sleep, scared of something going wrong and risks of DVT/ Sepsis etc after surgery. Likewise worried if I don’t have surgery could also get infection or pancreatitis. Last attack I had was about 8 months ago and have managed to control by cutting out meat. However the last month I’ve had different symptoms to usual. I’m now having griping type pain in right shoulder raiding up to jaw and also in between shoulder blades. Just in such a turmoil on what to do. Any advice, is surgery/ being put to sleep as bad as I think :-(. I told consultant at my appointment that I needed to think about it before making a decision. Thanks in advance !!

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 30/05/2019 21:29

Hi Hazey I had mine taken out last Monday. All went fine- it is a pretty routine op although it is classified as a major op. The pain has been nowhere near as bad as post c section (And that wasn't too bad-I am a wimp with pain). The GA was fine for me, one breathe in and I was away.. woke up less than 2 hours later all fine. Still getting little twinges but that's only because the nurse cleaned the wounds yesterday, before that I was fine.

notapizzaeater · 30/05/2019 22:54

Mine didn’t go to plan - doctor tried three separate points but couldn’t get it out keyhole so I’ve had an open op :-(

Partridgeamongstthepigeons · 31/05/2019 03:51

Sorry to hear that notapizzaeater. I hope your recovery isn't too bad xx

ChiaraRimini · 31/05/2019 12:37

Hazey have you told the doctor about the shoulder pain radiating up to jaw? You should do, and make sure if there are any other changes you see the GP, it might be something else or indicate it is getting worse.

HazeyCrazey · 31/05/2019 19:50

Thanks ever so much for your replies. Notapizzaeater im so sorry to hear it didn’t go to plan for you :-( hope you are recovering okay?
Partridgeamongstthepigeons I had emergency c section too, remember not been able to get into bed ouch! I think I more worried about complications, like infection or leak of bile and that I won’t wake up after GA. I know so stupid.
ChiaraRimini I’ve not told them yet about the new symptoms I was hoping it would go away, but it’s still there so I think I need to. The letter from the consultant surgeon has his secretary’s number on so I think I will give them a call. Thanks again for the replies