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.

I bought some white bread, quality M&S fresh soups, biscuits and grapes and just ate that for the first two days but just under two weeks on and I’m fine unless I over eat (it’s like free gastric band!)

Wilberforce, I'm sorry to hear you're still experiencing problems. It may well be the pain you experienced was caused by something else. I've learnt since the op that a few things that I put down to gallstones were actually indigestion, trapped wind and muscle strain (am right handed and work at a computer). It may be that you need to change your diet now you've had the op. Can you ask to be referred back to the Gastro consultant for investigation?

Good luck for your surgery KruelMonster!

I’ve just noticed some blood on my skirt near my belly button where one of the key holes was. It smells revolting like fish... has anyone else had this?
I think it might be just where the scab is coming off a bit.
Thanks.

Hi Chilli, without meaning to worry you that doesn't sound right. I would ask your GP to check your wound, you don't want to risk an infection.

Thank you off to Drs today they’ll prob prescribe antibiotics.

Chilli, I hope the GP was helpful and you got it sorted.

I am feeding the baby and fretting about tomorrow (or more later today, I have to be at the hospital at 7.30 So in 5 hours and I haven't slept yet. I hope they may be able to give me something about anxiety in the morning.

@Kruemelmonster19 how did the surgery go? Hope you are on the mend and start

Oops sorry....

Starting to feel better?

Thank you for checking.

I was really nervous beforehand, it was bad.

I tried to keep focussing on my baby before hand and then just went with it.

When I woke up I actually felt like I had had a good sleep.The nurse kept talking to me but I'd have been happy to sleep for longer.

They let me go home the same day. I was quite dizzy the first day and yesterday in the heat I really struggled.I am back to mostly breast feeding but he did have a few bottles as I was just to exhausted at some points.

I am so much better today already. My lower tummy is quite sore, wondering whether it's to do with just having had a baby? Feels like muscular pain below and around my belly button. I am trying to take pain killers regularly just to make sure it doesn't become too bad

I'm pleased it all went well for you. I agree the nervousness before is so much worse than the surgery.

I think the belly button pain is pretty normal. Mine was also the most painful of the 'keyholes'. I think it's the most painful because it's where the pull out the gallbladder from.

I am 5 weeks post surgery now and pretty much back to normal, my scars have shrunk a lot although one of them is still a little bruised and does get slightly painful if I move in the wrong way or do too much.

Kruelmonster it sounds like it went well.

Chilli I hope your belly button problem reserved itself.

I’m in on Tuesday and starting to get nervous. We’ve been on holiday this week so it’ll be an 8 hour drive tomorrow before going in on Tuesday which I suppose will keep me distracted (DH doing most of the actual driving)
Am just hoping all goes smoothly and I don’t end up with the open one! Looking forward to some red meat in the not too distant future!

Resolved itself not reserved me and my typos!

@Malibucyprus I was wondering if you ever went to the GP with your symptoms? I had my Gallbladder removed back in early March but I'm still having problems and you described exactly how I'm feeling! The weird hunger type pains, the sore stomach instead of pain and being uncomfortable laying on my stomach. x

@wilberforce2 I did go to my GP, she said I didn’t fit criteria for gallbladder (only the 2 F’s - female, fertile) she diagnosed gastritis, which I disagree with, she prescribed Omeprazole for a month, which I didn’t take immediately as my symptoms disappeared, but they came back a week later after eating a butter loaded jacket potato 😳. I started taking the Omeprazole last Saturday and touch wood I’ve been fine since.

Have you been to your GP about your symptoms? Is it linked to what you’re eating? I know that even after removal some people can still suffer with pains, if they eat certain foods/fat.

Malibu, you need an ultrasound to see what's going on.
I know the 3rd f is meant to be fat - but you definitely don't have to be fat to get gallstones!

I would add that I personally found the symptoms of gallstones and indigestion pretty similar, so it's worth ruling out the gastritis, however I still you think you ought to have a scan to rule out stones.

@user that’s why I disagreed with the GP, because 3 of my aunties have had their gallbladders removed and they are far from fat.

I’m just enjoying being symptom free at the moment, I’m on holiday so fingers crossed I’ll be ok for the next few weeks. But I do intend on going back to the doctors once I’m home. The last attack I had left me with such a sore right hand side for 3 days! I felt like I’d been kicked by a horse.

Thank you @BaruFisher and Kruemelmonster19
It was just smelly because of sweat so never drying- the stench was gross, partly fishy and partly cheesy (sorry!)
Anyway the nurse cleaned it up with saline and pulled the belly button scab off and now it's fine.
But I went to to Dr yesterday (2 weeks post surgery) with a bad pain on the left side of belly button, it feels like my intestine there is swollen and I can't lie on my side. The Dr said that I must still have air inside and it can take 6 weeks to get better.

Well I am all done!

Came in this morning at 7am and called in for op at 930.
All was straightforward although DH said I was quite amusing in recovery with the anaesthetic making me talk rubbish!
Here in Australia they keep you overnight so I’m currently half dozing half reading (9pm here) with endone and anti emetics in me.
Biggest problem so far is the nausea, can’t really eat much but am aware anaesthetic affects may soon kick in and pain may get worse. Right now it’s very tolerable.

@snaxinyourslacks my belly is full of pregnancy stretch marks so not too worried about the scars. I bet you couldn't even find them amongs the stretch marks

@BaruFisher glad to hear it went ok. I hope you continue to recover well and the neausea goes away soon

Day 2 after removal and all is well. Still painful to move about but fine when sitting/ lying still. Only needs paracetamol/ ibuprofen- stronger meds were making me nauseous and the pain is manageable without them. Just dreading the first poo (tmi I know) but wanted to let anyone know that’s reading that recovery from this is much better (so far) than I was anticipating.

Hi Baru, that's great news, I'm glad your recovery is going well so far.
I found drinking lots of water helped too. I think my first post op poo was about 4 days after the op? I didn't need to take any laxatives but like you, I didn't take the strong (constipating) painkillers for long.

Thanks user. I’m finding the water great too. Amazing how little things can help

Hi all,
After some advice please.
I’ve been awake half the night with pain I now think is related to gallstones. Awful pain in upper abdomen, rib cage and upper back (both sides but mainly right I think) and I feel sick. This is the second of these ‘attacks’ I’ve had in a month. I ate late last night - could that be a contributing factor?

Does this sound like gallstones?

Thanks very much in advance