Gallbladder removal recovery

[PepsiMaxandPringleStacks]

I have been waiting for gallbladder removal for 5 years!!!! And I finally have a surgery date for next week and I honestly can't wait.

Just wanting some tips on recovery and the things that people don't tend to talk about (I've heard that food just runs through you for a while?!?!) I have my peppermint tea at the ready for the wind etc but any other tips would be grateful. How long should I expect to be off work?

Does anyone who's had their gallbladder removed take any digestive enzymes/ox bile etc and see the benefits of it?

[P.s I know there's been a lot of threads on this before so apologies if it's spammy)

I had my gall bladder removed three years ago. I went home the same day and had no pain after the surgery. The scars faded very quickly. I have no special diet, no medication. I would think you need to be off work for 2-3 weeks simply because you can’t lift//carry anything heavy. I couldn’t possibly have waited five years for the operation. I was so ill one night after eating ice cream that my friend nearly dialled 999.

It's been a horrible 7 years 😭 2 years of gallbladder attacks with them undiagnosed, then I had a liver condition when I was pregnant, they scanned my gallbladder and confirmed it had gallstones and was finally put on the waiting list, but then covid and the collapse of the Northern Ireland government happened and it took 5 years before they've finally outsourced the waiting list to a private hospital.

I'm so lucky that it's never got infected or any of the stones have got stuck but it's been horrible, spicy foods, lamb, too much cheese, coffee (particularly starbucks) and McDonald's have been my biggest trigger foods so I've just been avoiding what I could whilst waiting!

I had my gallbladder out in 2018, home same day, up and about next day, back to work in 10 days, it was wonderful, no more attacks, I too could not have waited 5 years! Enjoy eating all your favourite foods again op.

Following as I’m due to get mine out on the 4th April and would love some tips/experiences also!!

Honestly, you'll just be so glad to have the darn thing out....
I found recovery was fairly quick, I was just a bit tired as I'd been treated as an emergency, with other diagnoses.
I was told not to drive for 2 weeks, but I don't know whether that's current advice.
Take painkillers as recommended, don't ignore them and then wait until you actually have pain.
Have a few steristrips in case one of your stitches pops - it will always look worse than it is, but very easy to do a quick patch up.
Never had any food issues post-cholecystectomy, so just enjoy the freedom!

Thank you, I’m getting mine out due to a pollop but some of the symptoms I’m getting are awful! Just hope they are all linked to the gallbladder other wise I will be back to square one!

Had mine out a good few years ago. Best tip was to have cushion or pillow to put across abdomen of sneezing or coughing for comfort. It wasn't necessarily pain but an uncomfortable feeling and the slight pressure helped.

I hope you will recover well. I do remember the relief, I have had minor dietary issues but these could easily be non linked intolerance to dairy.

I had my gallbladder out 2 years ago, was in hospital for 5 days in total but I had pancreatitis and pneumonia added on. Was off work for 2 weeks after that. Ate light meals for a few days just to be kind to my gut but can eat anything I want now. Some spicy and fatty foods do tend to induce a bit of wind though (sorry!)

Ohh thank you for the pillow tip I hadn't thought of this!

The actual op went well no problem afterwards except I still can't eat fatty food but I expected that when the doctor told me my gallbladder had stopped working

Yes I'm expecting not to be able to eat fatty foods, pretty much how I know if I eat fatty foods now I get an attack ill be expecting to run to the loo lol!

I had mine out 18 years ago, I needed a couple of weeks to recover and slowly build up how much I could eat.

If I overdo it on fatty food I feel sick and get stomach cramps but otherwise it's fine.

Update: it's out!! Home on same day which was great, currently wide awake at 3am due to dosing on and off, sleeping on my back is torture can't wait to get back to normal and on to my side!!!

@PepsiMaxandPringleStacks good to hear the operation is over. Mind yourself and take it easy. Wishing you a speedy recovery ❣️💐

How is your pain op? I’m due to get mine out on Thursday!!

Pain has been worst around the bellybutton incision, I've been using a pillow to hold my stomach when I cough and stand up etc. The gas pains went away quickly enough with buscopan given at hospital and drinking peppermint tea.

Good luck for your surgery!!

I hate not being able to sleep on my side its the worst part of it for me!!

Really glad to hear you had your op, wishing you a quick recovery!
I don't miss the awful attacks at all, the odd bit of dodgy digestion is nothing after being doubled up in pain for hours when a stone got stuck.