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 do understand where you're coming from Nancy and am definitely not minimising your concerns.
It's just I'm not sure what choice you have other than have the surgery, or suffer more and end up having it anyway.
I found my initial consultation to be fairly brief, but when they do the pre op assessment you'll be asked loads of questions and have more of an opportunity to raise concerns, if that's any reassurance to you. You'll meet with the pre op nurse and anaesthetist, My consultation was with a different surgeon to the one who actually did my op.

Hey User you've been nothing but kind and perceptive on this thread, I know you weren't minimising. I'm grateful for the support on this thread.

I also know that I'm probably just being a dick and that the chances of two bad surgeries are even smaller than the chances of having one bad one in the first place.

To add to that, gallbladder removal is fairly low risk and I know I will need the surgery eventually.

I'm not generally a wimp but the infection I got after my previous surgery very nearly killed me, which is why I went into so much detail in my pp.

I am listening, I promise I am. I think I just need a bit of time to get my head around it all, especially so soon after the last fiasco.

I'm still not back to full fitness after the last surgery, I'd like a few months to get myself back to fit again so I have the best chance if things do go wrong again. I've been having gallbladder pain for about 18 months and I can manage it for another few, but I wouldn't want to go through another winter with it hanging over me.

For every success story on here I feel a little braver and more inclined to go for it.

The consultant I saw was the man who would operate on me, even though he is highly recommended he didn't fill me with confidence. I do have reservations and would like to meet another one before I make a final decision.

Again, I know I'm being ridiculous and apologies for the length of this post.

Not being ridiculous. He's probably a great surgeon, maybe it's just his bedside manner??
They will go through lots of detail with you in the pre op assessment.
I'm wondering how Hubcap is doing now? Hope she's ok.

Was on this thread at beginning. Recap - big attack last May; ultrasound in June; consultant follow-up in late November (as opposed to 12 week after US that I’d been warned of) MRI early December and then just assumed I was on waiting list as Consultant had said MRI was just to check they could do the removal surgery. I had sludge and a 4.7mm Stone.

Last week letter arrived saying you are now on the waiting list (so I only went onto it mid-February) My target surgery date is 1st week of May, so 20 weeks after my MRI. I was a bit confused and phoned the waiting-list coordinator and she actually said ‘those letters are not worth the paper they’re written on’!! She said the date you’ve been given for having your op by is the 12 weeks we say you should wait no longer than but that’s just government targets with no bearing on reality! She says I will definitely not be seen by that date and she said it could be weeks or months after. Great!

As I haven’t had any subsequent attacks I wasn’t too shocked or bothered. Unfortunately today I am having definite grumblings. A solid, blocked feeling in my abdomen, swelling and a dull ache on my right hand side at my waist. Was a bit shivery earlier on but OK now. Am hiding in bed just hoping it will subside and not flare up. Shitting myself really as I know I’ve not experienced the full excruciating attacks that some people have spoken of. Worried it will get worse. My GP said if I got another attack to go to A&E but what I’m feeling at the moment is pretty low level. Not been sick and haven’t got the blocked feeling under my sternum. Hope it passes. Hope all those who have had surgery have recovered. Sounds like some have had a rockier road to recovery than others. I’m worried that they’ll push the op back so that it gets scheduled right in the middle of the summer holidays. Have a wedding in August and need to book flights to Italy some time in July. Bound to cause maximum hassle whenever it is I’m sure.

Had a bad night of little sleep. Up about 5 times no alleviation of the nagging right hand side pain but still a low- level pain like trapped wind rather than anything stabby or acute. It’s changed again this morning and I’ve had a few loose movements. Side pain still there but broader pain across abdomen too. Am having a hot bath in a minute but don’t know whether I should call my GP surgery or not? They can’t do anything can they - we already know it’s a gallbladder issue. If it gets severe i’ll call but while it’s grumbling I think I’ll just try and cope. Any advice? Did anyone take anything to help this pain? I’ve got some naproxen that I’m taking for joint pain but haven’t taken my dose yesterday or today because I’ve not been eating and it can cause upset stomach which I don’t need! Any advice appreciated!

Just seen your posts Listofsymptoms
Hope you went to thGP?

Hope you are ok Listofsymptoms and you got some medical advice today?

So glad to have found this thread!

About to have gallbladder removal, this week....and absolutely petrified. I have had sharp shooting pains under my ribs for years, and certain foods made me very uncomfortable, haven't eaten eggs for years (I've literally only just found out they are one of the most common trigger foods so I'm hopeful I can have poached again some day because man do I miss it!) Had one horrific attack in pregnancy, and during a subsequent scan in December they could see that my gallbladder was swollen and the wall thickened, with lots of small gallstones. I have a mortal fear of being anaethestised. And (sorry for TMI) but after my CS I had awful bowel problems and didn't have any movements for two weeks...worst pain ever. So I am worried of a repeat performance in that department too. Wait time was relatively short, I guess they have a target waiting time here because it's being done on NHS but in a naice private hospital.

When it's bad list it's awful. I feel your pain and have been there. Naproxen and Codine combined helped me but even then it sometimes took a while before I felt comfortable. Really low fat diet and being careful what you eat is the only answer.

Welcome, Living!
I was very scared too, but it was ok in the end. You can read my tediously boring and detailed updates below lol Mine was nhs clinic in private hospital. If you don't take opioids or not too many of them, you won't get too constipated. I was constipated after my c section too. I took co codamol for about 2 days after my gallbladder op, also drank 2 litres of water a day. I went on day 3 I think after the op. Get yourself some lactulose just in case though!

Which day is your operation Living?

Thanks all. Have held on just staying in bed. Just have such a heavy feeling in my guts and a sense of being blocked. Pain still liveable with and I eventually ate a bowl of 0% fat yoghurt and some tomato soup and then later on a small bowl of cereal with skimmed milk.my temperature is normal so I’m just going to monitor it. Obviously if the pain starts ramping up then I’ll know something untoward is going on and I’ll call in the cavalry! I’ve been lucky so far in being able to eat anything but I’ve been on the Blood Sugar Diet for 2 weeks to get my weight down as I’m pre-diabetic with a family history. However, I had more food than I’ve had for a while on Saturday and I think my gallbladder just couldn’t cope. Stupid I know!

Good luck with your op skunk and let us know how you get on.

I'm all done with mine list. Op was 4 weeks ago and after nausea that dragged on for far too long and really got me down I'm feeling much better now. I'm back work fully and much much improved.

That's wonderful news Skunka!

Thank you User! Your posts have not been boring or tedious, the whole thread has been really useful and so interesting. I'm also in Essex (and also have a 2 year old!). I'm hoping that that he will be gentle with me post surgery, but I doubt it!
I'm trying to view it as a fresh start, so I can get back to being me again. I've had so many tummy/bloating/digestion problems for so long that in hindsight were/are probably gallstone related (or at least I'm hoping so). The pp who mentioned gurgling digestion like a drain made me laugh at loud, I've had this for a couple of months now, but hadn't put it down to gallstones...I guess time will tell.
My op is on Thursday afternoon. Really great tip to drink lots of water too, I will definitely do that. My pre op wasn't great to be honest, it was a blood test, swab, swab, done. I didn't see the surgeon or an anaesthetist. I saw the consultant/surgeon at my pre assessment consultation to decide if I needed surgery after referral from the GP (he said errr, of course you do), and that was that. But it will be the same person that does my surgery, so I'm guessing he'll see me before surgery?

I found there was a big improvement in how I felt between weeks 2-3 and 3-4.

Good luck Living! I wonder if yours will be at the same hospital that mine was. When I received the choose and book letter and logged on there was nothing at Basildon, Broomfield or Southend, so I went to the private hospital nhs clinic instead!

You'll be fine I'm sure. It's not easy but you'll feel better before too long.

One thing I have learned from this thread is that experiences differ a lot! My pre op nurse apt was quite long and loads of info given. I saw the surgeon and anaesthetic on the day, and they saw me after my op to check I was ok. I had excellent care, I'm very grateful.

You won't be able to lift your 2 year old for at least a few weeks, I was told no heavy lifting for 6 weeks. You might want to check specifically. My daughters about 2 stone I think, and likes to wriggle and thrash about a bit in your arms if you pick her up and it's bedtime!!!

Sorry skunk got you mixed up with living. Glad your op was a success and hope yours is too living!

Posted at the start off the thread. Kidney tumour has been sorted, my gall bladder eviction is now happening next week Tuesday. Feeling quite nervous about it all.

Thank you List! Fingers crossed you don't have too long of a wait. Looks like it varies so much, which seems unfair to me.
I think you're a bit further south east than me User, I didn't have a choose and book option. My local hospital would have probably been Whipps Cross or Romford as I'm near the border. I just got a letter from the private hospital saying this is the day you will come for an appointment to see the surgeon.
Good luck to you too Lemony!

Good luck Lemony! I hope it all goes well.
Any questions anyone has, please just ask.

My biggest worry is that my DH can't take time off work, so I need to rely on my DC, specifically my 15 year old to help take his younger sibs while I recover. How long has everyone taken to recover?

I felt ok but sore (could do basic things such as get up, showered, dressed, pottering about) after about 3 days.
First 2-3 days were ok but need to take it very easy.
No pain at all after 4 or 5 days (and had fairly minimal pain before that)
However it was the tiredness that got me.
I went for a walk to the shops (about 1/4 mile) on day 4 or 5 I think. It was ok as long as I paced myself.
Make sure you move regularly, drink lots of water and eat healthy plain foods.

How old are your younger children Lemony?

I had my gallbladder out about 12 years ago.Just a warning to anyone to be on the look out for any of these symptoms if you start experiencing them after your operation. Diarrhoea, yellowy stools that can leave the toilet bowl looking like it's got a yellow greasy film on it. Tummy pains,soreness,having accidents. I was told for years it was ibs but knew it was something more,had even said I had been worse since the operation but nothing was ever mentioned. Saw numerous gastroenterologists over the years, colonoscopies showed normal. Then I saw a female gastroenterologist about 3 years ago and she listened suggested I have a sehcat scan which I've never heard of and turned out I had a severe case of a condition called Bile Salt Malabsorption,again never heard of it. All the specialists I had seen over the years and back and forth to my GP and not one of these had obviously heard or were aware of the condition. It took 10 years to diagnose. I wouldn't want anyone else to suffer like I did for all those years so thought I would make people aware about it if any of you still have problems. It's not meant to scare you. If you think you may have an issue just google it and have a read. It's commonly diagnosed in 3 types, 1 is idiopathic- so no reason as to why you have got the condition. Another is from having surgery like gallbladder removal and for people that have other operations like a chrohns sufferer etc. Actually I found this screenshot to attach which tells it better ☺️❤️