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.

Sorry - should have added that I’m 36, female and overweight

Sounds like it could be- mine was always worst late at night.
Was it a big meal? Was it fatty or spicy?
Any nausea or sweating?

Yes to nausea and not an especially big / fatty meal (and not spicy) but did eat just before I went to bed. Thanks

The nausea was a big symptom of mine too and though it’s traditionally fats that set it off, mine always responded badly to any spice.
Probably worth getting it checked out I would say.
Good luck!

Hi Muir23, it could well be gallstones. Gallstones symptoms are typically worse at night. It's worth a visit to the GP.

Many thanks everyone. I’ll get it checked out

I’m having my gallbladder removed later this month. I’m 36 and underweight and my attacks haven’t seemed linked to diet.

My main concern about the surgery is my period being due at the same time. I know that’s a really small thing and they’ll have dealt with it before, it’s just this small thing making me anxious. I’m a bit nervous about the recovery too as I have two toddlers.

Hi cautious.
Period due at the same time is a nuisance. Maybe let the nurse know at your pre assessment appointment to get her advice?
Definitely have someone lined up to help for the first few days with the toddlers. My recovery has been much easier than expected but two toddlers would be tough to wangle when you’re moving slowly and protecting wounds.

Thanks Baru, you’re the first person I’ve mentioned to who hasn’t dismissed it as something silly to be thinking about. I know I could get something to delay it but I don’t want to be dealing with extra hormones!
My husband will be off for 4 days after the surgery and then my Mum is coming for 2 days so I will have help. I’m a SAHM to a 3 and 1 year old though so I’m hoping my girls don’t find it too hard.

Hi Cautious, I think you'll be ok, just let the nurse know on the day.
You won't be able to take a full shower for a few days (to avoid wounds getting wet) but you'll be able to wash at the sink. Depends how heavy things are. It would be a nightmare for me but if your periods are light or moderate you'll probably be fine.

But that said, I'd rather feel gross for a few days than keep my infected GB!

So a very silly question, can I (will I) keep underwear on for the surgery?!

I could keep underwear onso long as I peed first so they didn’t have to catheterise.
That said I am in Aus and it may not be the same for example user couldn’t shower for a few days. I have waterproof dressings and can shower no problem so there may be some differences.

I've been suffering for 4 years now with the symptoms.
Now really frequent, although to be fair I am now tuned in and can notice the attack at its early stages and dose up in time.
I had the scan 4 years ago which confirmed the gallstones. GP will not refer me for surgery as says I'm too heavy.

I've been to A&E with the pain sometime as was so constant for days, or had constant nausea too - which is new to me.

Just wanted to say how lucky so many of you are who get referred quickly and get surgery dates within months.

I'm in Northern Ireland where it's a completely different story.

If I had £5000 I'd pay privately as this just completely ruins my day to day life.

Angel a couple of years ago I lived in Northern Ireland. I would have waited a lot longer for surgery there and am very grateful that this flared up in Australia.
I don’t think even people in England realise how long waiting lists have become in NI.
That said if weight is an issue even private might not do it without some loss. A friend at my slimming world group in Belfast a few years back got free referral from her gp to help her lose weight for a knee op so may be worth looking into xx

For clarification, yes I'm overweight. Actually the GP never actually weighed me, just looked and said they won't consider you!
In size 18/20 and already fairly active.

Slimming groups are the reason I'm heavy in the first place, so don't get me started on that :)

It is what it is and I'm not interested in fast weight loss again. As that's why I'm here already. Result of VLC diet.

Be grateful all of you getting referrals and surgery. Very different story over here.

@cautiousoptimist1 are you in the uk?
I was really worried about getting my period on the day of surgery too, lucky mine came the day after. You will get a lovely sexy pair of paper/netting knickers to wear with your theatre gown. You will be able to wear a pad with them. Just let the nurses know when they are getting you ready. Apparently sometimes they will place a continence type pad under you on the theatre trolley for extra protection too. After the op when you are back on the ward they do try to get you up and about quickly and you will need to have a wee so you will be able to change your pad then. Good luck and please don't worry too much, I found it all so much easier than expected.

Thanks @snaxinyourslacks yes I’m in the UK. I have my pre op assessment this week so will mention it then too.

I went back to my consultant last week regarding the problems I'm still having and the fact that I don't feel any different since having my gallbladder removed. He sent me for an MRI after seeming to be quite offended as if I was questioning the quality of his surgery I'm just home from the MRI and I've got to wait until Thursday for the results, I'm terrified now it's something completely different 🙁 Going to be a long wait until Thursday!

I'm scheduled for gallbladder removal and I wondered if anyone else had asked to see the removed bladder/stones and if you were allowed?

I know, I'm gross. It's the sporner in me

Haven’t read the whole thread
I am 33 , had children. Had my first attack in June and thought I was going to die on my bed from a heart attack (what I believed it was at the time )
I am now on the list for itto be removed. Having an mri in 3 weeks to check for stones in the bile duct.
Can’t wait for it to be gone. I have several hundred small stones as shown on a scan and they believe they have been there for at least 2-3 years until one day they began causing symptoms.

Forgot to say I don’t have any nausea with my attacks . My bloods are always pretty normal too .
However after an attack my urine is very dark almost like Coca Cola coloured for a couple of days , my stools are also watery and float on top of the toilet water and are yellow coloured or pale like straw
I have lost almost 7 stone in a year after a gastric bypass but they are sure the stones pre date the weight loss. My sister also had stones and had her gallbladder out although she’s much older than me

Hi sadandtired - hope you're not waiting too long for your op. I had my surgery on 18th January, so if you look back to around this time on the thread I went into a lot of detail about the operation and recovery if you find that helpful to have some idea of what to expect. I'm now 7 months post op and doing very well. I hope it all goes well for you!

Angua... - I have my stones in a jar lol I'm not sure if all hospitals give them to you. I had two large stones. Almost as soon as I came round after the op, this small jar was thrust into my hand!

Have you had the results of your test yet Wilberforce? Hope you're starting to feel better now.

I've had seven attacks since June and my doctor thinks it's closely related to having my first child in January, apparently a lot of women are the same after having a baby.

I thought it was trapped wind the first few times. It seemed to stop as soon as I vomited. It was horrible, I thought I was dying!

I have light coloured stools but that is literally the only symptom other than the attacks.

I hope they hand me a jar of stones User