Gallbladder op - FAQs and words of comfort and wisdom

[Piggywaspushed]

Hello

I am aware lots of us are in the gallstone boat , awaiting ops, post op, post diagnosis etc. There have been many threads but I wondered if we could pull them together into one support thread in which folks can tell stories and share inside knowledge?

I have my op 21st September. Pleased (NHS GP found me a fast track appointment at nearby private hospital - a route definitely worth pursuing if anyone else, like me, was pencilled in to wait nearly a year for even a consultation) but bricking it, too. I am on a few Facebook pages but not everyone on there is UK based and there is a lot of negativity. I don't mind realism but scaring people is not on.

Here are my questions!

1.What are attacks like for you? Symptoms, frequency, triggers? (my consultant seemed unconvinced that my symptoms are gb related - would love to share.)

2.What are your gallstones like? I have one 3cm stone.

3.Is the op a magic wand , or are their post op lifestyle changes and consequences I should prepare for?

4.I have read about the post op trapped wind! Do hospitals give you meds for this or do I need to buy in advance? If so , what?

5.Does anyone take regualr anti histamines? If so, do you take with Buscopan? There is very conflicting advice on this!

6.If I can't sleep the night before my op (almost 100% likely!) can I take something to help me? I ask mainly because lack of sleep triggers attacks for me and I don't want to be too sick to operate on.

7.What were people's recoveries like?

8.How soon before I can have a shower? What happens with the wounds and dressings? Is anyone else allergic to glues and plasters? This is a worry of mine.

9.When did you go back to work? What was that like? I cannot WFH , not a possibility and recuing hours also not likely to occur without adding to my workload. I'll have to set two weeks of work while I'm off as well, which is annoyingly time consuming and stressful (teacher).

10.Bras - I keep seeing people saying vest tops or bralettes. Not really an option for me as I am ample of bosom. Anyone know of supportive but suitable non wired bras?

11.What was sleep like afterwards? All the Americans bang on about recliners . I have a reclining chair but it is self powered so hard to get on and off really (requires stomach muscles). Also, I could not sleep in it at night because the room won't be dark or quiet enough!

12.Eating afterwards - what did people manage? I have a terrible relationship with food . DH can't cook , so this has to be basic easy stuff for me. He and DS can learn to fend for themselves! I am reading a few horror stories about food and eating. Low fat is not an issue for me, to be honest but if I can't drink tea, I'll cry. Did anyone gain weight afterwards? I really do not want to as have recently lost a stone. I have become terrified of eating so am hoping having the gb out will solve a lot of my anxiety around travel, lack of sleep, food.

13.How soon before driving/shopping/ lifting anything?

14.Did anyone go on a holiday after the op? How soon after? What were the travel insurance implications?

15..Any things they don't tell you that you wish they had?

16.Out of curiosity, how long did it take you for a GP to take your symptoms seriously? I'm at about the 10 year mark, maybe 6 or 7. This has been complicated by them focusing on trying to find gynae issues , which may or may not also exist, and various red herrings such as recent shingles and kidney infections. These of course were diagnosed and/or treated so the frequency of episodes was dismissed or overlooked. Annoying, it took DH's assertiveness for me to get referred for an abdo scan. I'm all for peri and menopause being taken serioulsy but it now feels like every ailment a woman has is put down to menopause. I may even have a tendency to do that myself. The pill version of HRT definitley did make my symptoms far worse, possibly coincidentally.

Feel free to answer or ask questions and share your stories!

Oh, and I meant to ask ... did presenting at A and E each and every time you have an attack achieve anything for anyone?!

Way too many questions for me OP but I will add that I was very unwell with my gallstones for a few months, could barely eat a thing, no specific’trigger’ foods for me, my gallstones were like thousands of tiny pebbles, big sand.

i had my operation and I was fine afterwards, completely. Didn’t have to take any painkillers. I was back at work in 2 weeks. No problems at all since. Amazing change.

Oh, that's good! Yes, sorry about all the questions! I know no one IRL who has had a gallbladder out! I had a GA aged 5 but nothing since so anxiety levels are quite high.

My attacks were random and usually weeks apart but always happened at night which ended up with me bent double on the living room floor for anything up to an hour but then the pain went and I was back to normal.
My final attack which had me admitted to A&E just didn't stop until I was put on meds. I was in hospital for three days before they diagnosed GS (multiple medium sized), I was discharged with a recommendation to have the op within a few weeks.
Op went fine with no chest pain and I was expected to be discharged the next day but then it all went downhill, I had some sort of reaction (suspected pancreatitis), ended up staying a week and when I eventually went home I was as weak as a kitten and could not go back to work for another three weeks.
All good since then.👍

I had my gall bladder out ten years ago when I was 50!

Keyhole surgery

Very easy and was back at home the same day (a Friday)

Monday I drove to pick the kids up from school! Dr said if I felt ok to drive then I could, so I did!

Felt a bit of pain in my shoulder for a couple of days post op (it's the air trying to escape), but a few paracetamol and a hot water bottle did the trick.

No complications at all and I can now eat whatever I want....including fat!

Mine always at night too and then often getting worse throughout the next day. Exhausting, I throw up continuously.

That's way the consultant said it might not be gallbladder as he seemed to think that shouldn't last as long!

I never had any attacks, just an excruciating bout of cholecystitis that alerted doctor to the possibility of gallstones. I had one 5cm stone! I was one of the unlucky 20% who had to have open surgery (converted from keyhole half way through due to size of stone and gallbladder full of pus). If you want to know more about recovery etc, happy to answer questions as it's rather different to keyhole. There was no indication it would be open surgery in advance but I'm an overplanner so had it in my mind it was a possibility and packed more clothes etc.

Woah, 5 cm is huge!

I asked to keep it, the surgeon looked horrified! (She didn't let me)

Mine came out in 2012 after about 10 years of attacks growing worse and worse. I was misdiagnosed with IBS and it wasn’t until I reached the stage of needing A&E and morphine that gallstones were mentioned. I was then in a restricted diet and Tramadol as needed for 4 months until I had my op.

I went private and stayed in 1 night mainly as my gallbladder was so diseased the op took 3 times as long as scheduled. All keyhole though.

I was in pain from the trapped gas and just took it easy with gentle walking and the other advice given. My op was 2 weeks before Christmas and they told me that recovery would take 2 weeks can remember getting up on Christmas morning and being completely pain free.

Sleeping was done in my normal bed but more propped up with pillows than usual. I didn’t have any issues getting in or out of bed.

I don’t think I drove for 2 weeks, but I dressed normally including a proper bra, my incisions are under my bra strap position and I can still see the scars now.

I have eaten as normal since the op, although I still can’t eat lots of high fat food like rich creamy sauces followed by a rich dessert and I have a low tolerance for onions, garlic and spicy food. This may not be related.

The op was a breeze. I was a bit sore for a few days but that was it.

I didn't gave to wait ti long, was put on the list in April and had it in August and this was 2021 so coming out of covid with all the delays that caused. However I think tye hospital was concerned as my gallbladder was full to bursting. The surgeon started counting and lost count at 200, I think 4-5 is normal.

I understand the wanting to go to a&e every time, but try to avoid it unless it doesn't ease after a couple of hours, you develop a temp or you start going yellow as there maybe a problem with your liver, but otherwise if you're waiting for surgery there's little they can do x

Thanks for this thread. I am on the waiting list for surgery at the moment so can't answer the post-op questions yet sorry. I've got a 2cm gallstone blocking my gallbladder and it did cause a fair bit of pain last year. Since finding out about it I've cut out all triggers from my diet- I've had no cheese, chocolate, cake, crisps, pizza, pasta, fried foods or alcohol at all since the end of last year. The bonus to that is I've lost over 80lbs through that and my consultant is delighted with me! I have only had one noticeable attack this year and I didn't present at A&E as it was a Saturday night and I didn't see the point in sitting on a crappy plastic chair for hours when I could be more comfortable at home with a hot water bottle and paracetamol.
It occasionally twinges at the moment but it's not intensely painful so I'm managing for now. Due for surgery early next year and I have a lot of the same worries as you about post-op. Hoping for day surgery and smooth recovery!

Oh but for non wired bras I can recommend Hot Milk, Panache, or Bravissimo do a good non wired comfy bra up to a K cup! I hadn't even thought of bras as I'm not as ample bosomed but sensible to get a non wired for comfort. Sorry I can't be more help but good luck for your op and please come back to tell us how you get on

1.What are attacks like for you?
Didn't know I had gallstones till I had the attach that caused my surgery on an emergency basis. Thought I had a back problem due to sitting at a desk, would occasionally have nights where I could not get comfortable and would have pain in the right side of my back at bra and level, would end up pacing around for a few hrs till it settled and finally fall asleep about 4am. The major attack started like that but got progressively more and more painful till I was vomiting and sweating. Ended up in A&E with a fever then admitted on antibiotics and oramorph, they didn't work so on the 3rd day in hospital they decided to take me in for emergency surgery.

2.What are your gallstones like?
One huge stone which shifted into the bile duct completely blocking it causing my gallbladder to basically start to breakdown and rot.

3.Is the op a magic wand , or are their post op lifestyle changes and consequences I should prepare for?
Magic wand. Not had any symptoms at all since it was done 3 yrs ago.

4.I have read about the post op trapped wind!
Nope. Peppermint tea helped a bit, as did gentle walking to shift everything. Only lasted a couple of days.

5.Does anyone take regualr anti histamines?
Yes, have to take them feb-June every year. No I don't take buscapan.

6.If I can't sleep the night before my op (almost 100% likely!)
No idea. General anaesthetic was lovely though. I was terrified before the surgery as hadn't had it before, but it was great, i went straight out and it felt like I just blinked and then I was awake and it was done.

7.What were people's recoveries like?
Mine was a bit different as was admitted and had to have a drain fitted so stayed in hospital for a couple of days after the surgery. Recovery in general was fine though. Uncomfortable when moving into a sitting or standing or bending position for about a week, but it was uncomfortable not agony. After that it only really hurt if twisting or picking up something heavy for the second week.

8.How soon before I can have a shower?
The next day I had one. The wounds were stitched with dissolvable stitches and they sorted themselves out within about 10 days I think.

9.When did you go back to work? What was that like? I had 3 weeks off total, 1st week while I was admitted to hospital then 2 weeks after the surgery

10.Bras
This is only really for the first week or so, just while you have a healing wound at braline level. I had a zip front soft bra from sainsburys.

11.What was sleep like afterwards?
Fine. I kind of hugged a pillow while laying on my left side.

12.Eating afterwards
I've had no problems with food at all, have been able to eat anything and everything I want. Some people find very greasy food causes stomach upset but so far I've not experienced that.

13.How soon before driving/shopping/ lifting anything?
When you are capable of performing an emergency stop you can drive. For me that was able 5 days after the surgery. There was no definitive guidance beyond the ability to be able to slam the brakes on and turn to see what's happening behind you.

14.Did anyone go on a holiday after the op?
Not Applicable

I gave up alcohol about seven months ago. I thought I had developed intolerance anyway and don't miss it as I drank so little. Will probably have a gin or two at Christmas.

I am avoiding pizza and cut back on bread. Having fewer crisps but do find them are all I can eat after an attack. I mainline Water Biscuits and ginger nuts!

I am beginning to wonder why Americans have such different experiences! Generally more fatty diets, perhaps. More likely to put surgery off because of costs. Who knows?

Oh and I got to keep the stone as a souvenir

Despite my repeated attacks, I have never actually been admitted to hospital. Seen in urgent care and sent away with sickness meds. The only exception was when I had Covid . In hindsight, although the Covid made everything worse, I am sure that was a bad attack. The nice doctor said ' there's something going on in your tummy' but it wasn't in notes and I didn't think to follow it up then because I thought that was how I reacted to viruses.

@Piggywaspushed yes I wonder that too, I think possibly a difference in additives/preservatives in foods between UK and US maybe? I could be way off but that's my guess. Oh yes I cut out bread as well. I find I'm okay with the occasional tortilla wrap instead of bread and I substitute with crackers as well. I've switched crisps to maize snacks instead and that helps scratch that itch though I only have them a couple of times a week and measure out a portion as per the guidance on the pack. That way I stick to calorie amounts and it's helped me reduce the weight, which is reducing the pressure on my gallbladder. I was morbidly obese though so the weight loss has been essential for more than just the gallbladder.

Dh gad his gallbladder out five years ago. He had four episodes prior to the op. The pain was excruciating, and came on quite quickly.

Dh had keyhole surgery. He presumed recovery it would be quick but took a week or two to recover. I find general anaesthetic can make me tired and lethargic for a few

Can’t if dh had trapped wind but I did after my hysterectomy. Sounds weird, but when it happened, I got pain on my shoulder blades (‘referred pain’). To combat it, have jelly babies, peppermint tea, hot showers/baths, walk around etc .

Dh worked from home. Regarding driving, your consultant will be able to advise you.

I informed my travel insurance but don’t think it was an issue.

Post op, dh eats fairly normally, although us careful (although also due to diabetes). A friend has to be careful with fatty foods.

Had GB out 17th July. Absolutely bricking it. Best thing ever, keyhole surgery, didn't get done till 5 o, o'clock last one in theatre. I got kept in overnight cos I was still groggy. Woke up during the night went to toilet, all good. Surgeon came to see me next day said there had been loads of stones. I'd been told 2 going by scan pictures. Minimal pain easily controlled by paracetamol. Slept as normal when I was home. Haven't had any symptoms they warn you about, diarrhoea etc afterwards. Still on low fat foods mainly because I'm now used to them. I had major attack few weeks earlier and was admitted to hospital on antibiotics drip etc. Then put on cancellation 12 week list. No problems.

Jelly Babies, you say? Sounds a plan!

I think Lovehearts are ace for indigestion.

Well done for losing so much weight!

Thanks for all the reassuring stories.

1. What are attacks like for you? Symptoms, frequency, triggers?

Terrible pain and sickness. Sick, sick, sick. Crawling about. Needed a day to recover. Every time I ate chocolate in excess! No other symptoms day to day.

2.What are your gallstones like? I have one 3cm stone.

Several small ones gravel basically.

3.Is the op a magic wand , or are their post op lifestyle changes and consequences I should prepare for?

Yes, for me. No other long term changes or issues. I had mine done 15 years ago.

4.I have read about the post op trapped wind! Do hospitals give you meds for this or do I need to buy in advance? If so , what?

Yes, trapped wind. Move around. Take paracetamol.

5.Does anyone take regualr anti histamines? If so, do you take with Buscopan? There is very conflicting advice on this!

No. Never.

6.If I can't sleep the night before my op (almost 100% likely!) can I take something to help me? I ask mainly because lack of sleep triggers attacks for me and I don't want to be too sick to operate on

Kalms or Benadryl will be fine.

7.What were people's recoveries like?

Really quick. Very well. Was on normal duties within a week. Driving etc

8.How soon before I can have a shower? What happens with the wounds and dressings? Is anyone else allergic to glues and plasters? This is a worry of mine.

Request anti allergy plasters. The white ones. I am allergic to them too. You can shower after a couple of days. The wounds are tiny. Three small holes.

9.When did you go back to work? What was that like? I cannot WFH , not a possibility and recuing hours also not likely to occur without adding to my workload. I'll have to set two weeks of work while I'm off as well, which is annoyingly time consuming and stressful (teacher).

I was a SAHM, but without support. DH could only stay home for a couple of days. Back at normal day to day within a week, but I was still napping during the day. For me, the killer is the anesthetic, and at the time allergic reaction to morphine too!