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.

@Ginfizplease, I’m going to start 2 weeks today and run just one mile 3 times a week to get into swing, I’ll probably have no stamina now anyway to go any further it feels like ages ago. 🤣.

I'll do similar I think!

I did some 3 mile walks after 4 weeks and probably shouldn't have done. Personally I'd give it six weeks and I healed fast.

@ UserThenLotsOfNumbers
Hmmm I may wait now you’ve said that and build it up with long walks. The days I’ve done my norm 10,000 steps I’ve know about it and felt rubbish after.

Hi all - I’m resurrecting this thread as I’m due to have my pesky gallbladder removed on 25th and am starting to get nervous! Anyone else in the same boat?

My gallbladder issues started in August - had obstructive jaundice and 5 days in hospital. Other than about 2 hours of pain before jaundice set in I’ve had no symptoms (though have been on a low fat / no booze diet since).

Particularly worried about the surgery as I’m overweight and suffer from heart arrhythmia (SVT). I’m currently stocking up on bits for my recovery - any recommendations? I’ve never had a general anaesthetic or painkillers (except paracetamol/ ibuprofen) so don’t know what to expect...

Thanks to everyone who’s posted so far - it really helps calm the nerves.

@LarGoo hope you're ok! I had mine out about 5 weeks ago (losing count!). I don't have arrhythmia but I do have ectopic heartbeat. Just make sure you tell your anaesthetist everything. I hadn't had any surgery before either and was properly nervous. Mine was cancelled first time and I cried so much with nerves and then because it was cancelled. Second time I wasn't nervous because I had got over it and just wanted it done!
You will be fine! Stock up on easy food, painkillers, have pillows, blankets at the ready! I didn't do much for the first week as I felt dreadful. Especially on day 3 and 4!
I'm fine now though and am going to start exercising tomorrow!

@LarGoo please don't be too nervous. I was also petrified before mine as I had never had surgery previously. I had so much support and recommendations from this thread. Honestly, the worst part is the waiting and the build up to it. It wasn't great walking into theatre, but the next minute it just feels like you've woken up from a long sleep. I would suggest trousers with soft comfy waistbands as your belly button area will be tender afterwards, I also used bralets for the first few days as one of my incisions was very near the bra line. I didn't really feel like eating much so maybe just some easy things in the fridge in case you don't want full meals. Peppermint tea is really good for helping get rid of the gas after surgery. Any other questions I am happy to help, I had mine back in June and I feel like a new woman!

Thanks @Ginfizplease and @snaxinyourslacks for the reassurance! I followed your stories earlier in the thread so it’s great to hear that you’re both doing well!

And thanks for the tips. My husband is taking the week off to look after me (which will be interesting!!) but I’m planning to stock the fridge with mild, easy to digest food and will invest in some loose, soft trousers. Luckily I have a lot of PJ bottoms already.

Good idea to have blankets and pillows to hand so I can be as comfy as possible.

I’m trying to control my nerves - it’s just seemed a long wait since August - (though I know others have waited far longer) and you can’t help but see the some horror stories.

My main concern (other than dying on the table...) is knowing what is ‘normal’ after the op, and what I need to see a doctor about. I thankfully don’t have much experience of pain to use as a reference, and my GP is 40 mins away. I’m sure I’ll know when it happens - I knew something was wrong 2 weeks before I got jaundice- it’s a shame I couldn’t convince the nurse practitioner (who though it was indigestion) as I could have saved myself 5 days in hospital!

Good luck with the exercise GinFiz!

@LarGoo you will be feeling much better after a week. My op was on a Thursday, dh took the Thursday and Friday off so he was with me for 4 days. I was fine on my own after that. In terms of what's normal, the nurses and surgeon will go through all of that with you just before you go in.

Hope you don’t mind me joining you on here.
I had my gallbladder out yesterday and some of the advice on this thread was so helpful to read beforehand, especially @snaxinyourslacks tips about peppermint tea and trousers with soft waistbands.
The wait to go into theatre was definitely the worst part. I got a bit teary as they were about to put me under but the anaesthetist and theatre assistant were lovely and reassuring.
I was given morphine as soon as I came round and another lot at about 11pm so I was high as a kite for most of last night! The pain is manageable - I’d say the worst is the intermittent pain under my rib cage and up to my shoulder which is due to them pumping the diaphragm with air during the procedure. Feels like a bad case of trapped wind and I’m burping a lot but apparently this will pass soon.
Overall I’m so glad I had it done. I was really scared beforehand as I had heard lots of horror stories but it went well and I feel pretty good. I’m back home now and resting up. Good luck @LarGoo, I hope your op on 25th goes well.

Really glad to hear that your op has gone well @TheLeadbetters. I’m sure I’ll be a right state before the op too!

What painkillers are you taking now? Hopefully they are working ok!

Best of luck with your recovery - do rest up keep us updated on your progress.

Thank you @LarGoo

I was discharged with co-codamol and ibruprofen, both seem to be doing the job so far!

Hi everyone, I'm having my op this Saturday coming, the 16th
Just wanted to say that I'm really grateful for the thread, so a big thanks to user for starting it and to everyone else who's posted, because it's so helpful. I've read it all the way through.

One thing I wanted to ask is, does anyone take any type of digestive supplements post surgery? It's something that I have read about online, but there's a lot of conflicting information, so I thought I'd ask on here as you have real experience.
TIA

Hi everyone

I'm almost 10 months post op and doing well. My scars are very faint now. Doing well and eating normally.

Likeahurricane - I haven't taken any supplements, apart from multivitamins which I've always taken. I've heard that calcium and ox bile can help after surgery if you have symptoms, but I haven't tried these myself.

Hey everyone I’m due surgery on Thursday and I’m so so nervous....
I have the worst anxiety!
Iv just read through all this and the group is so so supportive..
iv had this gnawing pain in my right side for a long time scan said 3 medium gallstones found..
not painful as such but just constant and really uncomfortable.. I thought about not going tbh.!!
But I know it’ll only get worse in time if I leave it! I have a 2 yo I’m so scared of leaving I just don’t know what to do 😥 x

I hope your surgery goes well Lookingforward
Just think, it's a short period out of your life then you should be totally back to normal.
Surgery is a risk and scary, but it's a bigger risk to not have it done.
Good luck!

I just worry because I haven’t had that much pain from it... that I’m doing the wrong thing?
My anxiety is so bad x

Hi Lookingforward - I’m in the same boat! Since getting jaundice in Aug due to blocked bile duct I’ve had no issues - completely pain free with a low fat diet. It makes me wonder why I’m putting myself through this! However, I have heard horror stories from people who have delayed the op, so I’m going to go ahead with the surgery. Doesn’t stop the nerves though!

Not long to wait for you now - I’m sure in a few days you’ll be looking back (like many others on this thread) saying the pre-op anxiety was the worst bit. Best of luck on Thurs x

@UserThenLotsOfNumbers - thanks for starting this thread, and glad to hear you’re doing well now.

This is what I’m worried about tbh that if I leave them their going to get worse which in most cases I see that’s what happens.. so I ask myself why would I wait for that!?
I’m worried as symptoms I started with intergestion this is in last 2 years so they thought maybe I had a stomach ulcer....
then sent me for a scan and bloods and liver function high 🤷🏻‍♀️ The 3 medium gallstones found!
Iv had the constant ache for a long time feels like iv been punched in the back from behind..
or a gnawing burning type feel and it can come and go it’s just uncomfortable a lot!
Also I get this full up feel in my belly for days along with the rob ache then snap it’s gone.... 🤷🏻‍♀️
I’m just worried that this will prob cause a blockage or something and end in an emergency!
But I’m so so anxious it’s horrid!

You def don’t want that to happen again! How did they remove the blockage? This is one of my fears after surgery tbh! X

My blockage cleared by itself. I had massive pain one evening (like bad indigestion) which then cleared and a week later I started to go yellow. Once in hospital my liver levels started to drop by themselves - I’d already passed the stone. May be because I have a cluster of small stones. For me they’re worried about a recurrence and possible side effects (infection, pancreatitis, etc).

How is everyone doing after surgery please?
Xx

Hi @Lookingforwardnow - I’m now 10 weeks on from surgery and all is good. You’ll see from my previous post that I was really worried about surgery (and also hadn’t had the excruciating pain for a while) but I couldn’t take the risk of it returning because it truly is horrendous and debilitating. My body’s still getting it’s digestion sorted out, but no more pain/aches/being sick/worries about going on holiday or travelling with work. The anaesthetic is fine and I wouldn’t be concerned about surgery in future. Good luck.

Hi @Lookingforwardnow - hope you’re out the other side of your operation and are doing well. Let us know how you got on x

Three weeks post surgery here and feeling physically well, just a small amount of bruising around my belly button area still and slight discomfort if I wear jeans with a waistband that rubs there.
Last night I ate half a large pizza with no repercussions! Digestion seems completely fine and no more random bloating either

Great news @NellieTheElephant1 - glad to hear you’ve recovered well. Gives me hope for my op!