Gallstones and b/f after general Anaesthestic question

[Essexmamma]

Hi all,

I'm new to mumsnet and could realy do with some advice!

After a few months of significant pain i finally had an ultra sound yesterday which confirmed i have gallstones. They could have bloody diagnosed before i was PG rather than tell me it was 'nothing' so rather annoyed but here we are.

Apparently its quite common in and after pregnancy and it seems i will have to have my gallbladder removed. i won't do anything until the baby is born but i was wondering if anyone has any experience of having to have an operation under G/A whilst breastfeeding or any experience of gallbladder removal?

Am feeling really fed up and a bit upset that i will have to have an operation so soon after the baby is born which i hope won't mean i have to stop BFing as was hoping this time would be better as my DS really struggled with it. Never been in hospital before either so a bit stressed.

Any experiences welcome, thanks all

I'm afraid i can't help with the breast feeding as i had to give up because of the medication i was on for pancretitis, How ever the gall bladder surgery i can help with.

My DD was 12 weeks old when i had the op , though i had been in and out of hospital for 8 weeks before hand, i had to be at the hospital at 7am had my operation by keyhole at 4pm and left hospital at 10am the next morning, i have a promenant inch long scar on my bra line and 2 tiny scars just above my right hip and one in my belly button.

I was unable to lift DD for a week after the surgery but it wasn't too painful a recovery.

I was able to express milk to throw away to keep up supply while i was in hospital originally but i felt i was confusing DD so i stopped at 10 weeks, but i would imagine you should be okay and you can use some pain killers when breast feeding anyway.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions

Hi Essex,

I am in the same predicament. I was diagnosed with gall stones about 4 months ago but have had on and off pain from it for years. I was supposed to have surgery to have my gall bladder removed but recently discovered I am pregnant. Since becoming pregnant I have had pain attacks almost every week and it is awful. I cannot describe how terrible the pain is but I am sure you know exactly what I mean!!!

Anyway, I am going to see the specialist again on Thursday and talk about my options. I am also not wanting surgery and a little baby who needs breastfeeding either. I know someone who had hers removed when baby was 4 months old but she said she had to stop breast feeding.

Anyway. I will post again on Thursday after my consultant appointment.

I hope someone on here can give you more advice.

I developed gallstones while I was pregnant - only found out what the horrific pain was when i had an ultrasound for something else afterwards. I waited until DD was 17months to have a lap chole (I had a very low fat diet to limit the pain) and then just paused BF for a few days - it didn't take long for the effects of the anaesthetic to go away. Painkillers I think I had co-codamol and diclofenac - I'm afraid I can't remember if you can BF with those. We continued to BF until she was 2 1/2 after that though.

The op itself was fine - a day surgery unit, went home by 7pm. Stayed with my MIL for a few days to help with DD.