Gallbladder Removal 2019 - support thread

[UserThenLotsOfNumbers]

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.

Hi all, I'm in your gang!
I had mine out today and am home now resting. It was straight forward but Ive got that trapped wind under my ribs that they warned me about.
In 6 days I am going to try and drive (10 minute journey) anyone got any positive driving stories?

I understand that facing surgery can be daunting but gallbladder removal is extraordinarily easy to recover from if it's laparoscopic.

I had 3 tiny incisions in my torso and I was up and out within 2 days. The only incision to watch out for is the one just below your breasts because it cuts through ab muscles and can feel like it's going to rip open when you laugh.

Without a doubt the worst part is before the surgery. The sweet sweet relief of having a nasty gallbladder out of your body is amazing.

I wish all of you the best of luck and don't be scared because it's so much better once it's done.

I had mine removed as a ' side effect' part of a larger operation. Ten weeks ago, has anyone got a continual metallic or unpleasant taste in their mouth after surgery?

Got rushed back into hospital Tuesday morning after spending over 2 hours in the most horrific pain. Turns out I had stones stuck in the pancreas and liver and pancreatitis and jaundice. The stones have dislodged and now im waiting for my gallbladder to be removed.

I was full time caring for my disabled DD I'd get the most chronic pain like being kicked by a dozen horses! I was sick and would be sat on the loo throwing up and having the runs... it was pure hell but I couldn't call an ambulance because I had no one to care for my DD I'd be literally doubled in pain. After about 3 years on and off they were 'ripe' to be removed and the radiographer told me when I asked how many she declared too many to count! Had the op in a Wednesday last September, walked out a few hours later and felt amazing! I'll always be on omeprazole and if I have dairy, spicy or fatty food I have the runs and an 'urgency' about half hour later but thankfully I have no more pain.

All these recovery stories sound very positive!

Chilli I haven’t had mine out yet but no someone who did a couple of weeks ago and was back driving as soon as her insurance allowed her with no problems.

You’vegot that sounds really painful. At least you’ll get the op over with now.

I had my pre assessment appointment today. All seems pretty straightforward. Mine definitely has an overnight stay and I have to phone the afternoon before to get the time for the op. Things must be done slightly differently here in Australia. Thank goodness I’m a permanent resident as all is free on Medicare.

How did people cope diet wise after the surgery? Could you tolerate food in the first few days okay? Did you have to stick with the low fat diet or could you reintroduce some fats after a while (am craving a steak or some lamb)
Funnily enough the thing that has affected me worst in this waiting time has been chilli rather than fat. Hope that doesn’t last as I love Asian food and it’s amazing here in Aus with such a wide and varied Asian population.

@BaruFisher chilli/spice affected me more than fat too. My eating has not been affected. For the first few days after surgery I didn't have much of an appetite and just had very small portions (very unlike me!) but could eat what I wanted and 3 weeks later I am completely back to normal food wise. The hospital did advise nothing too heavy or fatty for the first few days though.

Had my operation two days ago and it was very successful, but only down to the skill of the surgeon. He said it was the most difficult one he had ever done due to chronic inflammatory and scar tissue and the gall bladder being stuck to the liver. The stone turned out to be 5cm! It had to be crushed in situ in order to get it out laporoscapically and I think I was incredibly lucky that he didn't convert to open surgery. Once the drain was removed I felt fine and came home last night. Just a bit stiff today but feeling good.

Thanks snax- I’m keeping fingers crossed it works out the same for me!

Flowers it sounds like you had an amazing surgeon- that’s a lot to contend with! I’m sure you’re relieved it didn’t turn to open surgery- that’s my biggest worry. Hope you continue to recover well

@BaruFisher don't worry about the possibility of it getting converted to open surgery. I have had both laparoscopic and open gallbladder removal. I had laparoscopic last year (I won't bore you with why I had to have it done again) and a failed laparoscopic that was converted into open about 6 weeks ago.

I found I recovered a lot quicker with the open surgey. I was up and about the next day and was at home after 3 days. The only downer is I have a 7 inch scar plus all the scars from the failed laparoscopic and my stomach is still numb.

I had my surgery! Went down around 9:30 this morning and everything went well and I feel remarkably ok! I’ve managed to have water and a cup of tea and starting to feel hungry. I know it’s extremely early days but all good so far

@Youvegotafriendinme glad it went well, I had mine 2 days ago and was on s high at first and have been really sore and spaced out ever since so make sure you’ve got all hands on deck to look after you and bring you paracetamol ibuprofen.
I had my first shower this morning and it’s bliss to be clean and I’m now in a cafe having just had a brownie!

Really glad to hear of everyone's positive experiences. If you have surgery coming up soon, I hope it goes well for you.

I'm now 6 months post surgery. I can eat normally and am very well. I find if I really overeat I get bad indigestion which feels similar to the gallstone symptoms, but otherwise I wouldn't know I'd had anything done. My scars have healed up very well; the little ones on my right hand side are now barely there. The ones above my belly button and on my breastbone have faded to light pink/white.

Thanks freiya. That sounds positive- I don’t care about scars just the recovery!
Youvegot and chilli hope you are continuing to recover well.
User that sounds great about normal eating.
I was offered a cancellation appt for tomorrow but am going to be on hols for 10 days from Thursday- my SIL is over to visit from home so I’m just going to stick with the original date of the 30th- I’ve been lucky with no flare ups since the big one that revealed the problem so hopefully 2 more weeks won’t make too much difference.

Was wondering if anyone could help please? I had the surgery Saturday morning and came home late Sunday night. The nurse put waterproof dressings on me Sunday before I left and gave me a few to change and I’ve since changed them twice. I’m due to change them today but then realised I can’t remember what she told me about when to take the dressings off and getting them wet etc? Can anyone help please?

I had open surgery with all internal stitching. I has to keep the waterproof dressing on for 7 to 10 days. Underneath I had steri strips which had to stay on until they came off on their own.

@Youvegotafriendinme I was told to keep the dressings in for 48 hours at a time.
I was then told that if the wounds had stopped weeping to not wear dressings and to have showers only not baths.
Don’t get the dressings wet if you do you must take them off.
I think you’ll be okay with just a loose t-shirt if the wounds aren’t wet any more.
Hope this helps you. I’m 7 days post surgery and very easily tired but didn’t take any pain killers at all yesterday so that’s good!

Ps my wounds were glued not stitched so maybe my advice is different.

Hi all, just found this post and hoping someone can help!

I went to the Gp back in February with bloating and a pain/feeling as if something was stuck under my right rib. After a scan they said I had three Gallstones and would need my gallbladder out which happened in early March. The day after surgery I still had the weird feeling under my rib but the consultant said that I needed to give everything time to settle down.

So 4 months on I'm sitting here with the feeling as if something is stuck under my right rib and major bloating every time I eat. The feeling under my rib comes and goes but is there more often than not and the bloating/gassy pain in the top of my abdomen is there most of the day and is making me feel awful, I'm tired and sluggish and feel like shit from about an hour after waking which is basically how I felt before my gallbladder was removed. The bloating can occur after eating a salad or after eating chips, there is no rhyme or reason.

Has anyone had their gallbladder removed and still felt awful? Could it be something else and not gallbladder related?

Just to add even though they said it was the gallstones I never ever had one of the "attacks" that I've heard about so now I'm wondering if i needed my gallbladder out 🤷‍♀️

Can anyone help?! Please!!

Can I join you all please?

My first major colic was last November when I was pregnant. We didn't know what it was and my husband ended up calling An ambulance which was embarrassing.

I had 2 more proper massive colics after that during my pregnancy. A lot of people said it may become better after delivery but for me it has become so much worse.

Due to being pregnant and then breastfeeding I couldn't even take any proper pain medication. I was told to take paracetamol... I bet you can all imagine how much that helped...

Last attack lasted 3 days, acute pain, blockage, trio to a&e... you name it. My GP asked whether I wanted to wait with being referred for surgery. No!

In the end I was referred urgently and the surgeon I saw was appalled I had been sent home with such a major blockage. So my surgery is now next Wednesday. My baby is only 4 months and exclusively breastfed, which adds another worry to it all. I have tried to express but not getting much and he refuses any type of formula. I hope I will pump enough milk to sustain him during surgery and will be well enough to feed again after. Apparently a few hours after surgery should be ok again.

I am so nervous. I am an anxious person anyway, and the thought of not waking back up terrifies me. They also talked of everything that could go wrong during the surgery which was scary. And I think having the baby makes it so much worse. I know it's irrational.but I keep thinking of if something goes wrong I'd be leaving him behind.

My husband can't take time off so my mother is coming. She is taking the baby and they will wait there for me. She will go for walks etc with him

@Kruemelmonster19 , good news that you are finally having the surgery. Please don't worry, the worry and build up is so much worse than the actual surgery! Your mum might want to go home rather than waiting at the hospital, it can be a really long wait with a little one. My surgery was very straight forward. I arrived at 12.00 and was allowed to leave at 9pm. After surgery, recovery can be up to an hour before you are allowed back to the day ward. At my hospital, policy is to stay on the ward for a minimum of 4 hours before being allowed home.

Good luck for your surgery and please try not to worry.

@Kruemelmonster19 I completely understand your worries about the surgery and I empathise with your feelings about what your leaving behind so I understand your anxiety but this surgery is a routine simple procedure. Of course they have to tell you about the possibilities of risk as of course it can happen but the chances of those other things happening are incredibly slim. I went down for my surgery around 10:30 and was back on the ward eating tea and sandwiches by 2:30. I second pp about your mum not waiting in the hospital as it could be a long wait for a little one. Could mum not come back a few hours after you go down? Personally I’m sore and slight pain but it’s nothing like I expected and only a week later I’m feeling much more like myself. The relief of knowing its over and that I won’t have to endure those horrible attacks anymore is peace in itself.
If you have any questions feel free to ask here. This thread has been great for me in my gallbladder journey

Thank you both so much for your responses. I am trying to focus on never having to worry about that horrific pain again. Honestly, I think some of the attacks were worse than my labour.

My mum is coming from abroad as husband couldn't take off and they said I won't be able to lift my DS for a while. So she can't drive here either unfortunately and we have to rely on taxis getting us there and back. One way seems to be around £40, so unfortunately her going back and forth isn't really an option. I will have to pack toys and stuff for him and we are taking the pram so she can go for walks. I guess at least he isn't mobile yet so is quite happy to just be cuddled for hours on end.

I know it's routine and the surgeon was so nice. He was the first one taking what I had been going through seriously which felt so good.

@snaxinyourslacks , Thank you for your well wishes!

@Youvegotafriendinme I can't believe you were eating so soon after!

On that note, what sort of food should I have in the house for the first few days after surgery?

@Kruemelmonster19 not much puts me off my food! But seriously, that’s how well I felt.
I’ve eaten pretty much as normal but have noticed I can’t tolerate milk/cream based things as they have made me really sick but everything else so far hasn’t been an issue

@Kruemelmonster19 for the first few days after my surgery I didn't have a massive appetite and couldn't eat a full plate of food. I just had a few bits and pieces of what I fancied. The surgeon advised eating light/nothing too fatty for a few days after until everything settles. I mostly lived off toast for the first week.