Post gallbladder removal

[Kittypaw]

Hi all I would love to hear from anyone regarding post op gallbladder removal. I was finally diagnosed with a 3cm gallstone in March after being dismissed for 31 years by GPs saying I didn't fit the profile. So put symptoms down to many other digestive disorders until last Christmas I became so unwell and intolerant to all saturated fats that brought on your typical gallbladder attacks, I went private for my scan in the end by the way.
Moving on finally yesterday I had the surgery and after all the threads I have read some very positive I thought I'd have a bit of soreness and trapped wind. My surgery being key hole I thought it would be easier.
The last 24hrs have been hell the pain from the trapped carbon dioxide has resorted me to tears the pressure in my diaphragm like nothing I've felt and shooting pains in my collar bones guess referral pain. Trying to get in and out of bed and sitting on the loo has me in tears I can't walk straight. Please someone tell me this doesn't last for days or maybe I am being hard on myself. I was hoping I'd be one of those that said they were back at work in a week but I can't see that happening. Please anyone share your post op experiences think I just need reassurance as I suffer from terrible anxiety, also what pain relief did you use? I woke from the op in awful pain but an angel in blue put some good stuff in my vein. But since coming home last night with hospital medication worn off I'm beside myself x

Yes, I’ve had a couple of other laparoscopy procedures and have come to expect the hideous pain!! Take heart, it will ease. And it may well take a couple of weeks more than you’d expected to get back to normal. But that’s ok too. Listen to your body. Take pain meds if you can stomach them (they just made me so ill!) and trust that you will almost certainly be so glad you had this op in a few short weeks:)

Thank you for your kind advice much appreciated was feeling a bit lost and alone with it all x

Oh and actually, I’ve had a few open surgeries too and they have been MUCH less painful to recover from. As you say, it’s that damn gas they pump in that makes it so painful with keyhole !!!

The first two days were bad, but I was fully healed within a week so it won't keep going and going. The first night was the peak and it got better quite rapidly from there.

Bless you I'm feeling much better already I was fearing all sorts with the pressure in my diaphragm shortness of breath with the pain and stabbing in my collar bones I just didn't know what was happening. Taught me keyhole surgery doesn't mean making light heart of it, even my work was saying I'll be bouncing back in a couple of weeks! As you say it will be worth it all in the end 🙏 xx

I was thinking perhaps I was just being feeble weeble but a home birth with no pain relief was a breeze compared to this! Damn gas for sure! X

Thank you, I am definitely taking the three weeks off work though work hope I'll be back in two. I was in agony at my interview in February and pushing myself through attacks and trying to carry on has dragged me down. So I'm certainly taking your advice and giving myself the time to heal x

I was discharged with two weeks worth of co-codamol. I had my op a year ago. My incisions were a bit tender but I can’t say I was in agony. I had zero appetite for weeks and weeks.

I don't remember the pain being too awful but like a PP I'd had a fucking awful time of it pre removal and when it was removed it was so infected and grim that my gallbladder needed aspirating before removal, so the feeling of relief and just being better was overwhelming. I had a bottle of oramorph in my bedside drawer from "before" (that was how bad it had gotten) but i didn't need anything but paracetamol and ibuprofen which i took religiously for a week.

I did spend the first 4 or 5 days on the sofa. I slept on the sofa too as it was easier to be supported. I propped myself up and kinda wedged myself with a v shaped pillow behind my back and down my sides.

The worst thing you can do with the gas pain is lie down.

But ultimately we're all different, take the painkillers (and get better ones!). Gentle movement and lots of rest, I slept for at least half the day for the first 5 or 6 days.

Post diet - never had an issue with anything. I get a twinge in my side if I have anything majorly fatty but thats it.

Good I am glad to hear it. I remember being at work with a hot water bottle trying to push through awful attacks. Gulping peppermint tea and apple cider vinegar!

My last one in January it was a choice of either driving to work or driving to hospital, hospital luckily won as I was admitted and had surgery 4 days later!

A V pillow helped me get comfortable in bed.

You’re very welcome. I speak from personal experience of post operative laparoscopic surgery treatment.

You should feel a lot better in a few days. Light activity and rest when you’re tired

Thank you for the feed back it's reassuring to know it will pass, just gotten self in a pickle and the swelling and bloating is something else from flat belly to five months gone in 24 hours!

How are you feeling now? @Kittypaw

I had mine out a few years ago, I felt awful until I stopped taking the dihydrocodeine, then fine, but sore and more tired than I'd expected, back to work after two weeks but probably could've gone after about 10 days if I'd needed to. It's like my whole body and skin hurt until I accidentally slept through a dose and realised I felt better without it.

Rest a lot. Hydrate, try peppermint tea, bland foods for a week or so, my doctor said to avoid fibrous green veg for a week or so as the wind might be painful. Long term I can eat anything without digestive issues so don't panic about that.

Thank you for sharing, I'm having a bit of a time of it, didn't imagine pain like this doctor gave me liquid morphine but I'm now so nauseous I stopped taking it, only been able to stomach iced water no appetite. See what tomorrow day four brings but I feel wiped out 😔 xx

I took peppermint capsules they really helped but the pain was definitely intense. I was lucky that the GA made me sleep for 2 days on and off solid. The relief you will feel after the wind goes is really satisfying. Hang in there x

Ask if they can prescribe an anti nausea tablet so you can keep using the morphine, if you still need it

I've been on morphine for chronic issues for many years but had awful nausea for the first few months. I was given sickness meds to for a bit until it wore off. Cyclizine worked a treat and removed all the negative side effects.

Bless you glad you gently healed and was able to take a holiday xx

Send someone to Boots to get you Windeze or anything with simethicone in. It’ll shift the trapped wind in no time.

I had mine removed yesterday and oh lord the gas pain & discomfort is unreal so thank you for all the suggestions above re peppermint tablets and windeze - DH is being sent to chemist as soon as it opens! I’m on codeine which is helping. The incision sites themselves don’t seem to be causing too much pain right now but suspect that will change as the bruising kicks in. Hope you are starting to feel better @Kittypaw and it’s so reassuring to hear how others are now back to normal. One Q I do have is if anyone takes digestive supplements to support the bile etc?

Bless you wish you a speedy recovery, I'm now on day five post op and the initial excruciating gas pain has subsided so please hang in there, I also did not find the incision sites bothersome, but lots of swelling and bloating. I'm finding the bruising is coming out now so feeling very tender. Take your time and take all the help offered I tried making myself breakfast this morning and feels like I have ran a marathon. It has really helped me sharing my experience here with others, so great we can all support each other 🙏 x

Day five and feel a turning point starting to happen, most the awful gas pain has subsided but can't do much, feel very tender and the bruising is starting to come out now. 0 energy tried a slow walk downstairs to make a cuppa and it exhausted me, so back in bed resting. Last night I managed to get comfortable on my right side, so had a few hours unbroken sleep, a first since my op on Tuesday. Think it's a question of just taking the time to heal and not to push to hard. Thank you for asking it's much appreciated 🙏 x