Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Gallbladder Removal

119 replies

NancyPickford · 19/10/2023 11:39

I'm due to have my gallbladder removed early next month. I was in hospital last month after a gallbladder attack and had a scan which revealed several gallstones, including one an inch big. Since then I've been watching what I eat and taking (prescribed) co-codamol to keep the pain at bay.

My question is to those who have had this op - what should I expect? Were you in pain afterwards, and if so, how long did that continue? The hospital says I'll be discharged the same day in the afternoon (op is first thing in the morning). Is this really do-able? I have a bit of a car journey home (husband will be driving) afterwards and just wondered if the wound etc will be ok in a car. I was told it will be keyhole surgery, and the incisions will be just glued together, no stitches. Now that the operation has become real, I'm suddenly frightened!

OP posts:
Original poster
NancyPickford · 25/03/2024 18:57

Yes, I'm going to skip the bra for a few days.

OP posts:
Iamnotastick · 26/03/2024 06:30

Good luck today!!!

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 26/03/2024 06:41

Hello so happy to see this thread!
I am awaiting a scan which I think will show gall stones with the symptoms I am getting each day. My concern is I already have scars from bariatric surgery so will that cause problems? I so need to get this sorted.

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 26/03/2024 06:42

Oh and good luck nancypickford hope it all goes really well!

Iamnotastick · 26/03/2024 06:43

wonderingwhatlifemeans · 26/03/2024 06:41

Hello so happy to see this thread!
I am awaiting a scan which I think will show gall stones with the symptoms I am getting each day. My concern is I already have scars from bariatric surgery so will that cause problems? I so need to get this sorted.

I think the worse case scenario you are looking at there is open surgery rather than keyhole which means a longer recovery time?

kab89 · 26/03/2024 08:10

Good luck today @NancyPickford

Original poster
NancyPickford · 26/03/2024 16:06

Hi all. Had surgery at 9am this morning, it took about 2.5 hours. Back on ward and dozed on and off. All went well though I am a bit sore. Getting I/V morphine which helps. Bed is comfy and all the staff are lovely.

OP posts:
Iamnotastick · 26/03/2024 17:07

Ah well done!

Take the pain meds, and rest rest rest. Couple of days you will feel right as rain!

Original poster
NancyPickford · 27/03/2024 08:12

Well things weren't totally straightforward after all and I feel worse today. The surgeon came by and said that due to repeated infections there was a lot of scar tissue and adhesions and the gallbladder was tethered to them, so he had to cut all that away to free it. The gallstone was so big he needed to make a linger incision to get it out, but still keyhole. Am in quite a bit of pain too. I know this is all temporary.

OP posts:
Original poster
NancyPickford · 27/03/2024 08:13

Longer, not linger.

OP posts:
Iamnotastick · 27/03/2024 10:53

NancyPickford · 27/03/2024 08:13

Longer, not linger.

Ah that sounds tough! I ended up having to have surgery to remove a cyst on my liver last year, they attempted keyhole but there was so much scar tissue it ended up being a ten hour open surgery. Now, THAT was brutal!

The first few days are tough and remember theres now a big wound inside you that also needs to heal as well as the ones on the outside. Take it as easy as you can. Def no heavy lifting etc.

Original poster
NancyPickford · 27/03/2024 10:56

@iamnotastick that sounds rough right enough. Thanks for good wishes.

OP posts:
kab89 · 27/03/2024 16:56

@NancyPickford So glad you are out the other side now. All you need to do is rest now and in a few days when you are feeling more yourself rest some more.

Cranarc · 27/03/2024 17:36

Two and a half hours does sound long so I am not surprised things were a bit more complicated than anticipated. My surgery took about 45 minutes. I'm glad they could still do it by keyhole. Rest up. Wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery.

Bethanysbody · 30/03/2024 16:45

NancyPickford · 27/03/2024 10:56

@iamnotastick that sounds rough right enough. Thanks for good wishes.

Glad it went well for you! I’m due in tomorrow at 7am for mine (I know, Easter Sunday!) reading this thread has helped my nerves a lot!
I’m down for a day case so I’m hoping I’ll be home with DD and DH before I know it!

Hope the recovery is still going well!

Original poster
NancyPickford · 30/03/2024 16:49

@Bethanysbody all the very best for tomorrow! I found the worst bit just waiting to go down to theatre, but then you get the anaesthesia and the next thing you know you're awake again and it's all over! Just remember, loose clothing to go home in, no bra is preferable, and slip on shoes if possible so you don't have to bend down to tie laces. Oh, and a pillow to put between you and the seat belt, and tell the driver not to go over potholes if possible! Let us know how you get on.

OP posts:
ZiggyZowie · 30/03/2024 16:52

I drove myself to hospital.

Had the operation, no problems at all.

Drove myself home later in day.

Husband was at home looking after 5 kids

Bethanysbody · 05/04/2024 12:38

NancyPickford · 30/03/2024 16:49

@Bethanysbody all the very best for tomorrow! I found the worst bit just waiting to go down to theatre, but then you get the anaesthesia and the next thing you know you're awake again and it's all over! Just remember, loose clothing to go home in, no bra is preferable, and slip on shoes if possible so you don't have to bend down to tie laces. Oh, and a pillow to put between you and the seat belt, and tell the driver not to go over potholes if possible! Let us know how you get on.

Thank you!
all sorted, went down at 08:45 and was home by 20:30. Still quite sore but lots better than I was. Hope your recovery is still going well!

Original poster
NancyPickford · 09/04/2024 12:38

@Bethanysbody - so glad to hear everything went well. Yes, all going well here too. Thanks for updating us! Onwards and upwards.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread