Gallbladder removal....bra?

[AuntieMarys]

Gallbladder op due soon. Just realised I won't be able to wear a normal bra. What has everyone else worn?

Do you mean while you’re recovering? Is it keyhole surgery? My highest set of stitches were still lower than my bra, so I wouldn’t have thought it would be too much of a problem

Yes it's keyhole

My wounds were nowhere near my bra. But I wouldn't have liked to do the actual putting one on. When you're at home recovering you don't need one anyway do you?

You should still be able to wear a normal bra

Ok. Just thinking ahead!!! I'm very apprehensive

I was back at work in a fortnight feeling back to normal. Out and about after about 5 days.

Yes some people take longer but a fortnight is average and your stitches are nowhere near your bra.

Luckily I'm retired so no return to work. I'm generally fit so hope I make a speedy recovery

My highest stitches were still under my bra, so you’ll be fine.
Also recovery was fairly quick. Try not to worry, it’s so worth it for never having the pain of a gallbladder attack again!
Good luck x

I had to have an extra incision when I had mine done by keyhole and I couldn’t wear a bra to start with. Then had to wear a cotton camisole underneath the bra for a bit until it healed. It looked slightly odd but I wasn’t at work so no big deal.

Isn't the pain awful?????

No, not as bad as an attack. I did think they were absolutely mean making me go home that evening.

A firm pillow pressed to your abdomen is the best painkiller.

With hindsight, I took too many codeine and while they worked, they made me constipated and trying to go to the toilet with a sore abdomen was worse that the pain I started with. I would stock up on laxatives.

My mum kicked me out of bed on day 2 and after that it was better.

I had my gall bladder and spleen removed together via keyhole at the same time.

The scars are around my belly button no where near my bra chest area

I was partying in London the day after my op. Must have had a bra on. One of the incisions is in the bra area but I recall the stomach area hurting more.

My highest stitches were right in between my boobs where the band of the bra sits. Lace bralets were the way to go!

It was glued rather than stitched, but I couldn't wear a bra for about a fortnight.

Aye buy a nice pillow that you can use to press into your middle as you move around the house and then you have one handy for the settee

Good luck. I'd rather go through that than an attack. Even with the injections I had to do at home after.

Honestly the relief from not having gallbladder pain will completely outweigh any discomfort post op. I didn’t have any external stitches on mine, it was internal/dissolvable ones and then surgical glue for the outside. Most people are able to go home the same day too.

My incisions were all about belly button height and I recovered really quickly.
Just a bit sore on either side from the small incisions.
I had to sleep on my back for a couple of days and I snored like a hippopotamus!

Thanks for replying!

I didn't get any pain at all from the incisions, just a few days discomfort where the gas they use during the op makes your shoulder sore.

@Queenoftheashes

I was partying in London the day after my op. Must have had a bra on. One of the incisions is in the bra area but I recall the stomach area hurting more.

😳😳😳 I'm three weeks in and still sore! I couldn't get up off the sofa without help for the first 2 weeks

But 100% agree id rather live with the discomfort after than the attacks. Good luck op

My stitches (some of them anyway) were right where the gore of my bra would sit- didn't wear a normal bra for a couple of weeks after, just a soft, non wired crop top.

100% worth having it out though, it's fabulous to be free of the worry of another attack coming.

I have an incision between breasts basically where a bra would sit. However I've been without one for a year, so don't care anymore! It might rub, if so why not wear a fairly close fitting vest top underneath whatever you are wearing if you are self-conscious.

I was in a lot of pain when I first came round from the op, was immediately sick and then felt a lot better. I had a lot of bloating and referred pain into my shoulders, I would recommend peppermint tea and letting rip whenever the mood takes you.

Afterwards I had to be on a completely fat free diet for a week or two (which coincided with a holiday to Cornwall - no pasties or icecream!!!). But it was just so lovely not to have that horrible gripping pain and severe indigestion.

Hope the op goes well!

I've only had 2 attacks but was rushed to hospital after the 2nd one. Horrible experience in hospital, which is why I'm a but anxious. But it has to be done! Fat free diet till then.

Mine had to be turned into an open op. Bralet tops where my friend or those 'JML' soft type bras.