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 @Loadedforbear,

I hadn't even thought about drains - YIKES! Surely if it's a day case you wouldn't wake up with drains in. Oh gosh - I haven't thought too much about what they're going to do, it's everything before that is freaking me out. I have a very unsupportive husband who just doesn't understand my fear. Im freaking out over the pre op bloods I'm having done on Monday so god only knows the state I'll be in on Thursday - I'll need to be darted like some wild beast!!!

I think you'd only need drains if you're having the open surgery? I had keyhole and didn't have a drain.

@Amilla99 don’t panic, I’ve also got a blocked bile duct so am having that explorated or whatever they call it at the same time. I think they’re calling Dyno Rod or something...?! Apparently in a straightforward GB eviction the aim of the game is not to injure the common bile duct as bile leakage is painful and baaad. But they’re probably going to have to cut a hole in mine to poke things out and get it working again. Which means it won’t be waterproof for a bit while it heals. That means a couple of drains and some time in for them to monitor the situ. Hence slight trepidatiousness.

Unless they’ve expressly said, then I’m sure this won’t be your case.

@Notquiteagandt Thank you so much I've been thinking that I won't be able to really do nappy changes, luckily my husband will be around for the first week after the op so he can do it! I've no idea how I could possibly go 4 weeks without lifting, it's just not realistic for me. Although baby is walking he still needs lifting in and out of his cot, the bath, the car etc. and he's a real chunk-a-lump! Just have to see how it goes I suppose.

Thank you for the link you shared, really interesting and more information than any of the medical professionals I've seen have given me. In the very least I'll have to get them to tell me exactly what they've used on me and then I will have to research myself and go from there.

Gosh, that sounds awful ChiaraRimini! Must have been a bit alarming! Good you were able to see your gp sharpish to get antibiotics, hope they work for you and clear it up quickly.

Conrad have you got anyone who could come and stay to help with the baby (lifting etc) after DH goes back to work? I wouldn't have wanted to be lifting a 1 year old one week post op.
You won't be driving anywhere until you are healed so don't need to worry about that but getting him in and out of the cot for naps could be tricky.
I booked my DD in with the childminder for a few days in week 2 and 3 to give me a rest, she is 8 so doesn't need lifting but she was going mad with boredom being stuck at home in the school hols!

Thanks Chiara. I don't really have anyone who could be here to help which is a worry and DH is normally out the house 12 hours (7am - 7pm). Baby is still an awful sleeper so I am usually in to see him several times a night, which obviously I won't be able to do so DH will have to help with that side of things too. My mum does live nearby but works and isn't very helpful at the best of times. DH has said that he may have to work at home for week 2 (he is part-owner of the company so can do this if absolutely necessary but not ideal). I also have a 6 year old to look after but he's obviously much easier than the baby but I will still need to do school runs once dh is back to work, usually I drive but if I can't drive I'll have to get baby into a pushchair (somehow) and walk it.

Much like user, I've put surgery off for a while. I had my first attack shortly after baby was born and was told then that it would need to come out. I wanted to wait until baby was older and weaned though. My symptoms were virtually non-existent for about a year, apart from the odd twinge, then I had a mega attack a few weeks ago and have been in pain everyday since. So it really does need to be sorted now but maybe I should have just had it done while baby was much smaller.

Feeling a bit stressed about it all but I suppose we will muddle through somehow.

Sorry for long post! Just getting it all off my chest I think!

Conrad that sounds really tough. In that case I think you should put your foot down and tell your DH not ask that he will need to be at home for the second week at least if you have no other support. Working from home is ok if he can do school runs and lifting as needed.
You should not be driving then in fact it might invalidate your insurance. Abdominal surgery is serious stuff even if keyhole and you need to be really careful afterwards.
Please don't try and be brave and manage on your own. No man would if they were in this situation I promise you!!
There are a few people who bounce back really fast from this surgery but it's not reasonable to expect to be one of them, you don't know how it will turn out.

Really good point @ChiaraRimini well said! ‘There are a few people who bounce back really fast from this surgery but it's not reasonable to expect to be one of them, you don't know how it will turn out.’

You should definitely put your foot down @ConradKnightSocks you might be fine, but you might also need some time to heal and that’s ok too.

Well, I have spoken to Dh and he is now taking the second week at home too. I told him I am nervous about being pressured to get back to normal quickly afterwards and I used what you said Chiara about it not being reasonable to expect to be back to normal really quickly as we don't know what's going to happen or how I will cope. Beyond those two weeks we will have to play it by ear and see what we can sort out at that point.

Things are complicated by the fact his mum has been ill and was admitted to hospital last week. She lives in the opposite end of the country so he has had to have time off this week to go and visit her (he's still there now!). Hence his initial reluctance to take another week away from the office but really he's transferring the pressure he's feeling under to me. I have a tendency to just try to get on with things and not make much of a fuss but if it was the other way round he'd be a total nightmare - he faints taking off a plaster!

I hope everyone who is recovering is doing well and those of us on the eviction list are bearing up and not too apprehensive!

I’m so glad to read this @ConradKnightSocks - his reluctance is understandable given the difficult circumstances you’ve described but glad he’s been receptive. Well done on asking for help and holding him accountable! I’ve also had to apply some gentle pressure to my partner to up the support stakes. Not something I’m used to either. Sometimes spelling out our expectations are where it’s at. 😉

I have to be in for 7.30am tomorrow so🤞 It goes ahead this time and is nice and straightforward. I’ll let you how it goes!

Good luck tomorrow Loadedbear. I’m not far behind you as my op is at midday on Tuesday.

Can I be really boring and ask some mundane questions of those who have had the op? My DP is taking me in but I’m not sure if they can hang round until I’m wheeled in. What’s happened to you? Were you just dropped off and said goodbye in reception or did someone stick around with you until you gowned up?

I’ve also been told just to bring some slippers and a dressing gown - so no PJs. I’ve also been told not to bring any valuables or a big bag. So what do you put all your medicines, clothes, shoes, coat in? Do they put all this in a locker - do you put your phone in a locker too or have it with you until the last minute? I’ve been asked to take an antacid the night before and on the morning - does this work at relieving any reflux after the op? Finally I wear glasses - will I be allowed to keep these on until the very last minute and put them on straightaway when I come round after the anaesthetic? I would hate to go for any length of time without being able to see!!

Sorry for all the questions. I am beginning to fret a bit but I’m sure I’ll be fine particularly if know exactly what’s in store for me 😊

Thanks @Loadedforbear. Best of luck for tomorrow, hope it all goes as smoothly as possible and stupid gallbladder is finally evicted! Nice early admission time so hopefully not too much hanging around this time. Will be thinking of you!

Thegallofher - have you had your pre op assessment yet? It would be good to ask these questions then if it's coming up. I'm answering below based on my experience but the answers to your questions will vary depending on the hospital.

Can I be really boring and ask some mundane questions of those who have had the op?
Of course, the mundane questions are often the most important to ask.

My DP is taking me in but I’m not sure if they can hang round until I’m wheeled in. What’s happened to you? Were you just dropped off and said goodbye in reception or did someone stick around with you until you gowned up?
My husband was allowed to stay until I was wheeled into the operating theatre. He then left the hospital and I had to call him later on to collect me.

I’ve also been told just to bring some slippers and a dressing gown - so no PJs. I’ve also been told not to bring any valuables or a big bag. So what do you put all your medicines, clothes, shoes, coat in? Do they put all this in a locker - do you put your phone in a locker too or have it with you until the last minute?
I was in a room that had a locker. Up to you re the phone unless of course they say no phones.

I’ve been asked to take an antacid the night before and on the morning - does this work at relieving any reflux after the op?
Not sure - I didn't take an antacid. I didn't have reflux after the op though.

Finally I wear glasses - will I be allowed to keep these on until the very last minute and put them on straightaway when I come round after the anaesthetic? I would hate to go for any length of time without being able to see!!
I would speak to the nurses on the day about this - I don't see why not.

Hope this helps!

Good luck for tomorrow Loadedfor!

Thanks folks! If I don’t get back on here to pass the baton, good luck @Thegallofher we can compare notes on the other side!

Hoping Loaded is all sorted now and recovering well. Thanks User for answering some of my panicky questions! I forgot to ask lots of questions in my pre-op. I asked a few but was distracted when the needle came out for the blood test!

I’m hoping I recover well after tomorrow because my Mum died on Friday (she was a grand age and had been poorly for a while) so I’ll have a funeral to go to soon that will involve a 6 hour drive. I’ll be a passenger so not driving so should be fine. But it’s all a bit strange and has shifted my focus off my op a bit.

Oh thegallofher I am so sorry to hear about your Mum

So sorry to hear about your mum Thegallofher. Sounds like you're having a bit of a time of it at the moment. Really good luck for tomorrow, I hope it all goes well for you.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mum @Thegallofher. What a terrible couple of days you must have had and now today's surgery to top it off. I hope things have gone as well as they can and you are out the other side.

How are you @Loadedforbear, how did it all go?
48 hours and counting for me, I'm petrified of the GA as never had an op before 😬

Hope all went well today @Thegallofher was thinking of you. I’m really sorry to hear about your mum too. What a horrid time of it and a muddle of emotions.

@Amilla99 the gearing up is the worst of it, you’ll be fine and very well looked after I’m sure.

I’m out the other side of mine, very blocked bile duct successfully unblocked and offending article whipped out. Hurrah! I’m still in hospital as I’ve a couple of drains in yet but slowly feeling stronger. Was very wobbly to begin with but toddling (very slowl) to the loo on my own now. Progress!

Will update again soon.

Thanks for the update @Loadedforbear, so pleased to hear it all went well and that you're feeling stronger. How long do you have to have the drains in for?

Hope you are doing well too @Thegallofher and that everything was straightforward.

Who's next?? Is it @Amilla99? Think I'm last this week, I'm in on Friday! 😬

@thegallofher I'm so sorry to hear about you mum. Losing a parent is so tough.

Glad you're doing well @loadedforbear.

Mine is a week today. Am I after you @ConradKnightSocks. Anyone else next week?

Morning all. I’m out the other side and feeling a lot better than I did yesterday. Got to hospital for 12 but didn’t go down till 3.45/4pm. Long wait but glad I had a book. Very thorough questioning by nurse, then surgeon, then anaesthetist (but not one who ended up doing op) Get used to repeating yourself! Walked down to anaesthetic area in gown, compression stockings, paper knickers, and my own dressing gown and slippers. Onto trolley, lovely nurse and guy ( who I had trouble understanding but was very jolly) put cannula in my arm as he couldn’t get good enough vein on back of hand (was a bit stressed by this because some nurses just can’t find my veins whilst others have no problem) Got drip in and then I was just acutely aware I was going to go under and wanted to know when - so kept asking is that it going in now? No that’s just fluids, no that’s just....next I’m being manhandled by a gang of people, shuffled over to a trolley and took a while to realise I’m out the other side - magic!

Feeling sore and in retrospect totally out my tree! Next thing my other half is there by my bed on ward and I am SO pleased to see him. Trying to chat but I can tell from his bemused expression that I’m not talking a lot of sense. I have this overwhelming sense of gushing gratitude to the NHS and all the staff. I’m so glad to be alive 😊

By now it’s early evening, I’m on oxygen, saline drip and they keep shooting up the drugs. I’m incapacitated but pretty comfortable. Bit of blood on my gown where belly button wound has leaked a bit but all good now. I won’t lie, I feel as if I have been hacked about a bit but I’m so well drugged it’s keeping pain away. It becomes obvious I’m staying in the night and I’m happy about that because the thought of being at home in this condition doesn’t feel right.

Unfortunately I appear to be on a small ward with 2 very geriatric women both suffering with dementia and one just keeps shouting and pressing her button constantly - the other lady keeps asking for a cigarette. It was relentless and I pleaded with the staff can you not put me somewhere else? No came the reply - but at 2am they wheeled me to a private room and it was bliss. Managed to get up twice to go to en-suite toilet - bit wobbly but OK. This morning I feel like a whole new woman. Wounds are pretty neat behind their plasters. Belly button is darkly bruised. Won’t be doing any sit ups in a hurry! And I just had tea and toast - bliss - 1st food since 9pm on Monday. I’ve drank litres of water as my throat and lips were mega, mega dry - really felt parched.

Now waiting on Dr to do final checks so I can go home. My blood pressure has come right down now (I suffer from high blood pressure and got a reading of 176/104 when I first arrived here) Relieved about that.

Good luck to everyone else - will give an update in a day or two. Be interesting to see how my digestion is. Bye!

Well done Thegallofher, you made it through to the other side! Thanks for the detailed update, I'm pleased everything went well and you've been well looked after. Although it sounds as if the ward you were on was less than ideal! Good for you on asking to be moved, a decent bit of sleep sounds like it's done you the world of good. I hope you're home soon

@Ginfizplease You're after me! I'm in this Friday at 7.30am, hopefully in 48 hours time I'll be under and they'll be rummaging around in me! I really hope I'm not waiting too long once I arrive, I know I'll be a wreck 😬