Gallbladder removal questions?

[bungee24]

I've had a surprise apparently come up and it's on Monday, not enough time to drive myself crazy about things but enough to prepare.

What tips can anyone give? Please share your experiences.

I'm a little worried about having a general anaesthetic as I've not had one before. What will the pain be like when I wake up?

I'm obese and have rolls and worry about the wounds being uncomfortable in the folds. Especially the belly button.

I presume you're having keyhole surgery? It'll be fine. My husband was discharged later the same day (after he'd eaten a pie!)

Hi! Please don't get overly worked up, it's really straightforward (usually) and I personally found the pain very manageable.

I had only had a GA as a kid and was petrified of having one as an adult, but the anaesthetist will come round to see you early on to chat to you about what will happen, pain relief etc. It's dead easy once they get you down there, they chit chat and distract you, tell you what they're doing then it's like a shutter coming down!

Then you're waking up from what feels like the best, deepest sleep ever. You hear sounds first, then I just felt a kind of heavy pressure under my breastbone (my gallbladder had a huge stone in it, they had to break it up to pull it all out gallbladder and all). I wouldn't say it was pain, just hefty discomfort like someone was sitting on me. They'll ask if you feel sick, if you do they'll very swiftly give you a load more anti-emetic (you'll already have had some whilst under).

I took a while to wake up properly because I didn't get on too well with fentanyl (I'd declined any variety of morphine) - but otherwise I'd have been up and about within an hour.

I felt remarkably OK the same evening, and the next morning I took a couple of paracetamol - and that was it. I never took anything else, there really was very little "pain" although I suspect I was very fortunate.

As for the incisions, I'm fat too with rolls and I barely noticed them at all. You keep the surgical covers (can't think of the right word for them) on - including in the shower - for 5 days, then remove them, and that's it. They weren't sore, maybe a tiny bit itchy when healing. Dissolvable stitches.

Two things nobody warned me about:

1. Bile diarrhoea. I ate soluble fibre for the first few days to go easy on the intestines, but by the time I came to poop things were quite uncomfortable. It was all a bit, erm, loose, but...OMG IT BURNS. 😊 It didn't last luckily.

1. The weird electric sensations in your intestine as it gets used to bile being dripped in there constantly. It's really odd and freaked me out at first, but it went away - get the tingly sensation occasionally still. That might just be me though!

Good luck, I'm the biggest wimp in the world and I was OK.

I had mine done years ago. I'm also fat, with many rolls. It was my 1st time having anaesthetic. They will give you pre-med (sedative) beforehand, which will make you a bit drowsy. The hospital will give you pain relief afterwards and will advise you about what to take for any pain. You won't be able to lift anything for a couple of days, and won't be able to drive for 2 weeks

A GA is lovely - best sleep of your life - and I'd have one every week if I could!
If the gallbladder op is laparoscopic then it's v straightforward & minimal pain afterwards. Just ask about driving as opinions vary, and some docs want to be confident you can do an emergency stop without popping your stitches.

@Hbh17 is the anaesthetic really like that?

I had my gallbladder removed via keyhole surgery when I was 14 (yeah, really, I had 77 stones at 14, this isn’t a typo)

That was in 1993. Very straightforward. The only thing was that I was violently sick after waking up (due to anaesthetics), but that was probably what it was like back then. I never had any problems with anaesthetics later.

Also I couldn’t pee for a day and needed a catheter, but again this was probably due to the anaesthetics which were much more aggressive 30 years ago.

Nothing compared to the pain caused by a colic tho.

Relax OP. It’s a routine operation.

another one with rolls here. My belly button actually was fine, my biggest issue was I needed an extra incision, and they placed it where my bra band sits so I couldn’t wear a bra for a couple of weeks - but I think that’s quite unusual.
I didn’t have any external stitches, they used glue and the incisions have healed really well.

I had an active infection when mine was removed, and was in pain for a few days, but again, that’s not usual, most others I’ve spoken to seemed to have very little discomfort afterwards.
to be honest, after multiple gallstone attacks, infections and pancreatitis, I was over the flippin moon to “just” be in post-op pain!

What sleeping position did you find best?

Does it hurt lying down, sitting up and moving around in bed.

I had mine out about 3 years ago and also very overweight with rolls and all was fine. GA was fine, nurse and drs put me at ease. The only discomfort I had after was a pain in my shoulder that was trapped wind! If it's keyhole they 'inflate' you whilst under so of course the air has got to come out. They gave me some peppermint tea whilst in hospital but I recommend getting some of the tea or peppermint capsules for when at home just in case you're still suffering.

I was off work for 2 weeks as couldn't drive but honestly after the first week was going stir crazy as felt absolutely fine. I've got 3 little scars on my stomach and the relief of just having it out was amazing!

I think it was uncomfortable first few days but I was given painkillers so just took some before bed (it was Codine which makes me feel sick taking so I tried not to take any in the day anyway) and that helped I don't really remember having any issues sleeping. Think was just abit sore for a few days. Bending over might be painful first few days so try and minimise that as much as you can

You might find it easier to sleep with some extra pillows propping you up, just to make sitting up/getting out of bed a bit easier and less strain on your incisions?

Not for everyone, no. I panic and try to fight it but you can't! 6 or 7 seconds later, you just go and you have absolutely no sensation of being under or 'asleep'. The very next thing you know, you're waking up. I throw up every time I come round and feel utterly wretched. Everyone is different though and most people are absolutely fine.

Hope it goes well. I have an op coming up in a fortnight.

As for the wounds, I suggest you speak to the surgeon about your concerns. It may well be that the incisions can be sited where they will heal best and cause last discomfort.

I'm obese and gallbladder removal was a doddle. Having my wisdom tooth out was more painful.

I loved the GA, had never had one and was terrified, to the point that a few years ago I had to have a screw put in to fix a broken hand and I begged for and was allowed to have a nerve block and stay awake for the surgery (they actually showed me the inside of my hand while I was on the table which was both cool and disgusting). That wasn't an option here so had to have the GA. It was lovely, managed to get to 7 I think when counting down from 10, then I woke up a few seconds later feeling like I'd had the best sleep ever.

I did have to stay in for 2 nights after the surgery as they found quite a lot of gunk due to my gallbladder being infected and had to wash the whole area out and insert a drain which stayed in for a of couple of days.

Pain was fine, nothing compared to a gallbladder attack. It's pain you can understand and compensate for, I knew it would hurt to bend/sit/stand up so would press gently on my belly to reduce it. Once I was up or down there was no pain.

I had a phone call to ask if I was up for coming in the next day because they had a cancellation. No time to think or worry about it at all.

I have to agree with PP's - the best sleep ever! I woke up in recovery with a terribly dry mouth and a bit of a cough - nothing unpleasant. I was taken to recovery where I had jug of iced water and the most delicious toast I have ever tasted. I dozed and read my book all afternoon. There was a bit of toing and froing and it was decided that I would stay in overnight. Later that evening I felt a bit sick but didn't think to call anyone, just did some deep breathing.

I slept on my back but sat up a fair bit to read - probably because I had slept all afternoon and the ward was very noisy. By 10.00 a.m. the next day I was up and dressed and waiting for my husband to take me home. For a couple of days I slept in the spare room but had zero pain or discomfort. I did take the full dose of paracetamol for three or four days.

I find GAs fascinating. When you fall asleep at night you still have some level of awareness, when you wake up you feel that time has passed. But with a GA there is no awareness, you close your eyes and immediately open them again, except it's all over and done. Time stands still.

Hi all
Just recently found out that I've got to have my gallbladder removed.
Can you share your experiences I've got awful anxiety just need some tips and reassurance to get me through this.

How long is the surgery ect
What was the anaesthetic like as I'm panicking of being put to sleep.

Did anyone else feel like this?

Honestly, it's an absolute doddle. I've had a couple of surgeries and this was the easiest by a country mile. Easier than even wisdom teeth removal.

The hardest part is not drinking anything before hand.

Being put to sleep isn't like being put to sleep at all. When you sleep you still have some awareness and when you wake up you know time has passed. Anaesthetic is way deeper and you'll have no awareness at all. You'll close your eyes, then immediately open them again and it's all over.

It's usually key hole surgery so you'll be in and out same day. I was up and pottering around the house the next day. No pain at all from the surgery incisions. Just some aching across shoulders, which I was told was connected to the surgery. That went away after a couple of days.