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Original poster

Gallbladder Removal - tell me your recent experiences!

72 replies

WhatAKerfuffley · 27/12/2020 21:11

Hello

New to MN! After suffering for almost a year with horrendous gallbladder attacks, that are getting more frequent, longer and even more painful, I’m scheduled in to have it removed 6th Jan. THANK THE LORD! Unfortunately, I wasn’t taken seriously until I spent 8 days in hospital with ongoing attacks and a stone stuck in bile duct!

To those who have had their gallbladder removed, just wondering what your experience was like before, during and after. Particularly after the op - I have a 7 month old DD who I’ll need to care for almost straight after the op, as we can’t afford for DP to have too many days off work (he’s already had a fair few off due to my horrendous bloody attacks!)

Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatAKerfuffley · 28/12/2020 07:17

Hopeful bump Grin

OP posts:
KnowingMeKnowingYule · 28/12/2020 07:26

Hello had mine removed last May. Was brilliant.2 weeks off work but could physically do things after a couple of days. Had a horrendous time prior to removal, no problems since. Good luck!

BaruFisher · 28/12/2020 07:27

Mine was a year ago and the surgery was a walk in the park in comparison to an attack or the week I spent in hospital for cholecystitis.

Mine was a keyhole procedure and I had to stay in overnight (afternoon surgery and in Aus rather than U.K.). I went home next morning and didn’t need any stronger pain meds than ibuprofen.
Day 1 and 2 were a bit sore and bruised but I was back to normal pretty much after that- that said I have no children so lifting your baby may be difficult as lifting heavy weights is not recommended for the first few weeks.

Couple of tips- bring a baggy top to go home in- you will not want to wear a bra as one of the incisions is in the area. Also take a pillow for car journeys- I put it between my body and the waist part of the seatbelt to cushion it a little. A pillow also helped with sitting up/ moving around on the first couple of days as it gave me stomach muscles something soft to brace against.

Good luck.

SpeckledyHen · 28/12/2020 07:37

Good luck with your operation OP . Your experiences sound horrendous.

Watching with interest .

I have had one attack with pain , vomiting and nausea and just been diagnosed with one large stone ‘ a big boy ‘ the ‘size of a golf ball’
Waiting for a call after Christmas to discuss its removal.

OP if you feel up to it can you please report back with your experience ?

whereiwanttobe · 28/12/2020 07:47

Keyhole here too, about a year ago. Absolutely no problems other than the usual general feeling of tiredness after a general anaesthetic. But I was back to normal life very quickly, and I'm sure I'm quite a lot older than you so probably bounce back slower!

Friendsoneuptown · 28/12/2020 08:17

Mine went fine 3 years ago. In and out in a day and beyond the after effects for the GA ok. Just tired. I have 6 incisions so I look like I’ve been shot. They healed quickly. I can’t remember how long I had off work though. Possibly 2 weeks.

Original poster
WhatAKerfuffley · 28/12/2020 11:43

Thanks all for your replies! Seems like it’ll be a fast recovery then, fingers crossed. Cheers for the tips too @BaruFisher!

@Friendsoneuptown do you mind me asking why you have 6 incisions? I’ve been assuming it will be 4 from what I’ve read is all!

@SpeckledyHen will definitely let you know how it goes. The pain I’ve been in, and am currently in, is the worst I’ve ever felt so I’m pretty sure the op will be nothing compared ha!

OP posts:
Friendsoneuptown · 28/12/2020 16:18

@WhatAKerfuffley

Thanks all for your replies! Seems like it’ll be a fast recovery then, fingers crossed. Cheers for the tips too *@BaruFisher*!

@Friendsoneuptown do you mind me asking why you have 6 incisions? I’ve been assuming it will be 4 from what I’ve read is all!

@SpeckledyHen will definitely let you know how it goes. The pain I’ve been in, and am currently in, is the worst I’ve ever felt so I’m pretty sure the op will be nothing compared ha!

Oh, I don’t know. I’ve never questioned it!
Itmaybeus · 28/12/2020 16:40

Was off work 2 weeks but could have gone back sooner within 48 hours I felt great. Compared to the months of pain it was a doddle.
Had 4 small incisions - one didn't heal great due to a dissolving stich not dissolving had it removed at gp, a course of antibiotics and it healed. Definitely was right decision to have it removed.

Original poster
WhatAKerfuffley · 02/01/2021 23:27

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Unfortunately, my op has been cancelled as I'm currently in a different hospital with acute Cholecystitis/ multiple stones blocking bile duct and the original place won't do it until I have the stones removed. And they want me to isolate for two weeks again. Sooo frustrating.

Anyone had any experience with delays? How to cope? Haha. I'm so anxious about having another attack or stuck stones incident.

Also, did anyone go private?

OP posts:
KylieKangaroo · 02/01/2021 23:39

Hope you get it sorted soon OP, I think it would cost you a lot to go private so maybe you should try and hold on?

Yohoheaveho · 02/01/2021 23:44

So sorry to hear about the cancellation OP, very upsetting and frustrating
I have a few gallbladder issues so may be looking at surgery in the future, I will be following your progress,
thank you for starting a thread 🙏

ballsdeep · 02/01/2021 23:47

@WhatAKerfuffley

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Unfortunately, my op has been cancelled as I'm currently in a different hospital with acute Cholecystitis/ multiple stones blocking bile duct and the original place won't do it until I have the stones removed. And they want me to isolate for two weeks again. Sooo frustrating.

Anyone had any experience with delays? How to cope? Haha. I'm so anxious about having another attack or stuck stones incident.

Also, did anyone go private?

Op I could have written this myself. I was in a and e a few weeks ago with a severe attack and a blocked duct with a stone . I was out near the top of the list, should have been having op soon and it's all been cancelled. Currently in bed with more pain. It's awful. The attacks are getting more and more frequent and painful. Sending you hugs
Yohoheaveho · 02/01/2021 23:54

@KylieKangaroo

Hope you get it sorted soon OP, I think it would cost you a lot to go private so maybe you should try and hold on?
Is private surgery going ahead as normal though🤔? From what I can see it looks in the region of 4 to 7 grand.... ish, a lot of money if you don't have it but might be worth it if you can get it together ?😕
KylieKangaroo · 02/01/2021 23:58

I had to wait a year for my op and that was pre-covid! However if I was desperate and had the money then I would have gone private. What do you use for pain relief OP? The only thing that worked for me was co codamol but everyone is different. Wishing you well!

hmb255 · 03/01/2021 00:04

I had mine in February and on the whole it was fine. It was day surgery, keyhole, so was home by the evening. I was in a lot of pain that first night and needed morphine which I went home with but was pretty ok pain wise after that night and managed with just ibuprofen and paracetamol. I did get an infection in two of the wound sites but antibiotics sorted them out. Have had no problems since apart from a bit of a loose tummy if I eat very fatty foods. But compared to the pain before it's nothing to worry about.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 03/01/2021 00:04

Does cholecystistis and stones in the bile duct not result in you having it out as an emergency procedure at the hospital you're in? I was admitted with pancreatitis caused by a stone in the bile duct and spent over 2 weeks in hospital, and had mine out while still an inpatient as soon as the inflammation of my pancreas had reduced.

RichardMarxisinnocent · 03/01/2021 00:08

Recovery wise it was pretty painful after the op for a couple of days, but diclofenac sorted that. I felt fairly weak for a good few weeks after, but that was because I'd been pretty ill, spent quite a bit of time in bed, and lost over a stone in weight.

Bouledeneige · 03/01/2021 00:21

I had mine removed last February and I've not had a problem since. Keyhole surgery - 3 small incisions. They healed very easily. I had no after effects from the anaesthetic. I was up and about after a day. The main discomfort was aching shoulders for a few days affected by the gas they pump into you to inflate the belly for surgery. I rather enjoyed my 2 weeks rest off work.

Original poster
WhatAKerfuffley · 03/01/2021 07:18

@ballsdeep it's so so awful waiting, isn't it? Hope you manage to get through this recent bout of pain quickly!! Honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone haha x

OP posts:
Original poster
WhatAKerfuffley · 03/01/2021 07:22

As far as I've looked in to so far, private is going ahead normally. Maybe a slight delay, but talking a couple of weeks longer than pre-covid. Dp and I could scramble the money together somehow, but I really hope it doesn't come to it as it is so expensive and could REALLY do without paying out so much. Then again, it's my health, and the sooner it is sorted, the better (for everyone!)

@RichardMarxisinnocent you would think so. I mean, this is my second stint in hospital with the same thing. But my doctor basically said if my life isn't at risk- it isn't yet, as my pancreas seems to be ok- they don't class it as emergency.

OP posts:
SpeckledyHen · 03/01/2021 18:48

Sorry OP to hear about the cancellation and that you are in hospital anyway :(
Seems crazy doesn’t it that they can’t do the op where you are ...

Stupid question if you don’t mind me asking ? What do they do in hospital for you during an acute attack? Is it simply pain relief?

asmuchuseas · 03/01/2021 18:56

Watching this thread with interest. I have a telephone consultation in just over a week with a consultant as I have a polyp in mine. Apparently it has grown although it isn't massive - wondering whether I'll just be monitored or considered for removal as it is causing me discomfort.

MatLeave · 03/01/2021 19:08

I had keyhole surgery in January 2019 and got home the same day. I had a very quick recovery, was sent home with strong painkillers but only needed two paracetamol once after surgery. Was able to make lunch the next day and out walking after three days. It was such a relief to get the op as gallbladder pain is worst pain I have ever experienced. Hope you get your surgery soon.

Bouledeneige · 03/01/2021 22:36

I have to admit I had mine through private health - via my employer. Obviously it was just before he pandemic but the benefit was choosing the day and time that suited me - it was about a 2-3 week wait. The care was great. I have no idea about the deal now though for private care.