Gall bladder op - wondering what to expect afterwards?

[rosmonster]

I'm having my gall bladder taken out in about a month and was just wondering what to expect afterwards with recovery etc.

I'm doing a course atm and am meant to be on a residential the weekend after. Is it likely I'll be able to make it or would I be better to change the date to another one?

tia

Hi
I'm sure it's different for everybody but here's my experiance.
I got mine out 9 weeks ago via keyhole.
My dd at time was 10 months and I couldn't lift her for first week. DH took week off work to help.
I was very tender at wound sites.
My wounds healed really quickly though I did have some blood pooling at one site which was tender longer than other wounds.
After a week dh was back at work and I was back to looking after DD and DS who is 4.
However I still was sore in area where gall bladder had been and found I got tired easily. I work sundays and needed 3 off.
It was about 5 weeks before I felt normal.
A nurse I know told me although keyhole they still do the same to you as with open and although outside healed (in my case) quickly inside took a lot longer.
I think it depends on you but I couldn't have managed a weekend course, so I'd probably rearrange.
Good luck with OP it's so worth it.
Gall stones were worse thimd I'd ever had.
Hope you're not suffering too much.
Hope this helps and makes sense.

thanks babyr, I thought I'd have to rearrange...

Funnily enough, ever since I've been referred I've not really had a full on attack, just niggles and pains every now and then but hopefully this will sort it for good

I had my gallbladder taken out by keyhole last year as a day case, in at 7am, home by 8pm. Felt a bit sore for a couple of days but was pretty much right as rain within a week. wounds were sore and I was tired and avoided lifting DS (2y) as much as poss for a week or two but that was it.

To be honest I'd cancel the weekend though as you'll most likley be tired and sore still. Also there's always a small chance you might have to have the full op (5 days in hospital and 3-4 weeks recovery), your surgeon will explain beforehand.

Good luck and its definitely worth getting done sooner rather than waiting til you start having bad attacks. I turned yellow and ended up with pancreatitis and a 10 day hospital stay before they took mine out

Hi,

I had my gallbladder out 7 years ago.

I had keyhole surgery, which IMO was fine.

I was in and out in one day. Was a bit sick from the anestetic (sp!?).

The wounds were quite sore for a couple of days, but i soon started to feel normal again. However, you still need to take it easy for a week at least.

I am terrified of hospitals and operations etc, but believe me, it was worth it. I suffered with gall stones for 4 years until it was diagnosed. I was 19 when I had my first attack and they put it down to indigestion because i was the wrong age for anything else (!). It got 10 times worse after I had my son and was going to emergency GP 4 times a week with the pain that they thought was indegestion!! Luckily one doctor had his head screwed on and diagnosed it straight away. 6 months later I had the op and it was the biggest relief ever!

Sorry to go on!!

Hope all goes well!!

thanks everyone for the replies.

I've rearranged the operation so I can still do the weekend away, and its only going to be a couple of weeks later.

I must admit, I am a bit nervous and scared, mainly because I've never had an operation before. Am hoping they can take it out with keyhole and come home the same day.

Ros - it was my first op too!! I'm a complete woose so you'll be fine. Plus, just think.....no more attacks!! Wonderful!!

Good luck with it and your course!!