Gallbladder surgery & MRCP MRI - worried & recovery ?

[faeriesandelves]

Hi all

Thanks for reading

I’ve got to have my gallbladder out as I have diagnosed with 8mm gallstones in the neck of my gallbladder plus a polyps on the wall. Also need the above scan to check liver and bile ducts etc. No pain or symptoms at all.

Apparently I’ve had moderate and high liver enzymes for 6 years and gp never followed up so I had no idea. Only discovered as I had a private blood test. Now enzymes re through the roof. Had a private liver ultrasound last week which showed stones and Polyps and I have been advised for removal. I’m fine about that as I don’t want to wait until I’m in pain and it all goes nasty.

These are my levels :
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) 183.3
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) 133.1 *
U/L
30.0 - 130.0
0.0 - 34.0

Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) 64.2*
Gamma GT (GGT) 209.2*

5.0 - 34.0
0.0 - 38.0

Has anyone had their gallbladder out and what was the recovery period like please ?

Thanks !

Had mine out in January. Recovered in 2 ish weeks,

thank you. High enzymes too ? Stick to a strict diet now or not I’m getting mixed advice.

I had alt 1600 and ast 800 luckily they came down steadily

I had mine out about a year ago. Just take all the pain meds regularly. I found I recovered pretty well. Pain from the air they put in you during op was probably the worst but does past. Get some windeze or something similar to ease it. Definitely better having the gallbladder out though!

Recovery was easy and I felt fine after a few days. Much better than the pain before hand from the gall stone attacks.

Had mine out last year, i was back at work after 3 weeks, recovery itself was fine but took longer for me to feel completely pain free as I have 2 young children to physically handle.

Take in peppermint tea bags to have after the surgery for the gas pain.

Take a cushion for the car ride home to put in between you and the seatbelt.

Have a combo of rest and walking around a bit. I was told no hoovering or lots of physical activity for 6 weeks.

I waited 7 months for the surgery and in that time, i followed a very low fat diet with no booze. I also found chilli/spice triggered attacks, as well as not eating enough/being really hungry.

I had mine out recently following gallstones and a severe infection. I was in hospital for 12 days as had some complications in surgery and was really jaundice. Anyway, it was all fine. I felt incredibly safe and well looked after. I've never been in hospital or had surgery before and, even with the complications, (I had stones stuck in my bile duct and my gallbladder was stuck to my liver) everything felt controlled and calm.

I second peppermint tea bags or capsules. I also had laxatives as 12 days in bed does nothing for your bowels. It's hard to wash your hair post op, so do it just before, if you can. I lived in play suit style onesies once I got home as anything on my waist felt uncomfortable. I also couldn't tolerate fatty food or large meals for a few weeks, so have light healthy snacks available. You'll be fine. I feel so much better now my gallbladder is gone. My experience was at the extreme end. Everyone else I know who had the same surgery was in and out in a day at most.

Thanks all I took all the advice on board and have developed a habit for peppermint tea. I think the worst thing was the shoulder pain post op where they pump you with gas, as you said! Codeine made me sick so stopped that and all good now. I’m two weeks post op and all good. Not had anything spicy or fatty yet. Also wearing nothing tight around my waist and no bra yet where the incisions were made.