Having my gallbladder removed, what to expect re’ recovery
Discussion
I got my hopes up for an operation date when I had the pre-op done, the nurse sensed this, and dashed my hopes by telling me the pre-op was valid for 6 months and they were currently re-doing several pre-ops that had reached the 6 months!
In the end my gallbladder 'preforated' and I jumped the 'queue'!
In the end my gallbladder 'preforated' and I jumped the 'queue'!
Don't want to go too far adrift, but this thread does seem to have our resident gallstone sufferers attention....
I had what I assume was an attack Sunday night, rode it out at home thinking it'll be all fine after a day or two. Here we are on Wednesday and I'm still feeling a bit of discomfort in my abdomen. Can keep food down, bit of a loss of appetite though, so it's just this residual feeling that's still there.
For those who've had these episodes before, how long did your discomfort last? I'm just trying to decide at what point I speak to a doc - although I guess that'll be a challenge in itself...
I had what I assume was an attack Sunday night, rode it out at home thinking it'll be all fine after a day or two. Here we are on Wednesday and I'm still feeling a bit of discomfort in my abdomen. Can keep food down, bit of a loss of appetite though, so it's just this residual feeling that's still there.
For those who've had these episodes before, how long did your discomfort last? I'm just trying to decide at what point I speak to a doc - although I guess that'll be a challenge in itself...
Rockatansky said:
For those who've had these episodes before, how long did your discomfort last? I'm just trying to decide at what point I speak to a doc - although I guess that'll be a challenge in itself...
Well, the doc said its normal to have the after effects last this long and that my previous episode must have been a bit more mild!I've been prescribed tramadol and told to lie low for a week.
Pre op still next Tuesday, I really hope that's a sign of progress.
Had a missed call from an unknown number today which left a voicemail, replayed the essage when I got home from work and it was the hosptial asking for me to call them, gave them a call and they said they had a cancellation but another patient they contacted has taken the slot.
They wanted to bring mine forward and asked if I would do so if they had another cancellation, I replied depends how much notice I would get, I was told the one I missed was to be done this Friday!
I said due to work and having to get everything finished before the op and having up to a month off work bringing the op date forward with a cancellation will not work, so I am off the cancellation list now
They wanted to bring mine forward and asked if I would do so if they had another cancellation, I replied depends how much notice I would get, I was told the one I missed was to be done this Friday!
I said due to work and having to get everything finished before the op and having up to a month off work bringing the op date forward with a cancellation will not work, so I am off the cancellation list now
Rockatansky said:
For those who've had these episodes before, how long did your discomfort last? I'm just trying to decide at what point I speak to a doc - although I guess that'll be a challenge in itself...
I had one instance of pain, which led to the diagnosis, I was given pain killers and anti-bugs and was fine the next day, no pain for 10 months whilst waiting for the op, then another instance of pain when my gallbladder 'burst' until 4 days later when it was removed.Tenacious said:
Apparently gallbladder removal is the most common abdominal procedure for the UK. (I don't have the source though).
But the questions is, if this is true, why? Why do so many people in the UK suffer from gall stones?
It's an interesting question, I assume diet has a great part to play. But the questions is, if this is true, why? Why do so many people in the UK suffer from gall stones?
If you NEED it out, don't mess about, I put it off for two years and was in hospital twice with anti biotics which worked for a few months.
I had the op about four years ago, was back to normal in less than a week and have had no further trouble.
You can't even see the scar, unless you look very closely.
I had the op about four years ago, was back to normal in less than a week and have had no further trouble.
You can't even see the scar, unless you look very closely.
Rockatansky said:
Tenacious said:
Apparently gallbladder removal is the most common abdominal procedure for the UK. (I don't have the source though).
But the questions is, if this is true, why? Why do so many people in the UK suffer from gall stones?
It's an interesting question, I assume diet has a great part to play. But the questions is, if this is true, why? Why do so many people in the UK suffer from gall stones?
I'm managing to keep my fat intake to well below 100g a day and making sure what little fat I do consume is spread across the day.
Tango13 said:
Rockatansky said:
Tenacious said:
Apparently gallbladder removal is the most common abdominal procedure for the UK. (I don't have the source though).
But the questions is, if this is true, why? Why do so many people in the UK suffer from gall stones?
It's an interesting question, I assume diet has a great part to play. But the questions is, if this is true, why? Why do so many people in the UK suffer from gall stones?
I'm managing to keep my fat intake to well below 100g a day and making sure what little fat I do consume is spread across the day.
Certainly once diagnosed, a reduced fat diet will reduce instances of pain, as the gall bladder is called into action less, and of course as we all know, a reduced fat diet is better for us.
I had mine out a week ago today in an emergency operation. Reading through this thread has made me realise just how quickly mine was sorted, only 7 days between attack, blood tests revealed infection, and removal.
First 3 days of recovery are pretty grim as the trapped CO² makes it's way out.
It'll manifest as very sharp stabbing shoulder, back and chest pains. Fight through it and go for a gentle slow walk about and you'll belch and feel immediate relief. Peppermint tea helps.
Other than that you'll be a bit sore and tender (shock) but once the gas is out everything gets better quite quickly.
ETA-
For the first 5 days or so set up some pillows to prevent you rolling onto your side in your sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night on my side on night 2 and wouldn't recommend it. Drenched in sweat from the pain etc. as I righted myself onto my back I felt my insides and everything slosh about.
Second ETA:
Get some FyboGel (or similar product) to help you post operation. It's NOT a laxative, but it does make everything a little easier to pass. The last thing you want to be doing is straining.
First 3 days of recovery are pretty grim as the trapped CO² makes it's way out.
It'll manifest as very sharp stabbing shoulder, back and chest pains. Fight through it and go for a gentle slow walk about and you'll belch and feel immediate relief. Peppermint tea helps.
Other than that you'll be a bit sore and tender (shock) but once the gas is out everything gets better quite quickly.
ETA-
For the first 5 days or so set up some pillows to prevent you rolling onto your side in your sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night on my side on night 2 and wouldn't recommend it. Drenched in sweat from the pain etc. as I righted myself onto my back I felt my insides and everything slosh about.
Second ETA:
Get some FyboGel (or similar product) to help you post operation. It's NOT a laxative, but it does make everything a little easier to pass. The last thing you want to be doing is straining.
Edited by Ambleton on Wednesday 26th June 08:42
Ambleton said:
Saleen836 - good luck for MondayMake sure you have a freshly made bed to get back to with plenty of meal prep done and/or make sure you have someone to assist you at least for a the first three days post op.
All went well today, arrived at the hospital around 6.45am checked in at reception and told to go sit in a certain area. Had only been seated for aprox 10mins before being taken down to the section where the procedure was to be performed, a nurse came to my 'pod' to take blood pressure and ask a few questions, a little later the anaesthetist came and explained what woud happen then a little while later the surgeon came and reiterated what he was going to do.
Was walked to the OT at 8.30 and was back in my pod around 9.40, was informed I had to eat something, drink something and pee before they would discharge me, they telephoned my lift home at 11am saying I would be ready to leave within the hour!
Never expected to be in/out that fast!
Currenty not really any pain as I'm sitting here on my sofa more a uncomfortable niggling annoyance, area around my belly button has bruised uo nicely and guessing will look worse tomorrow, they precribed me pain killers and laxatives, i'm holding off taking the pain killers as currently don't feel I need them, I will however take the laxatives so one less thing to worry about.
4 more scars to add....
Was walked to the OT at 8.30 and was back in my pod around 9.40, was informed I had to eat something, drink something and pee before they would discharge me, they telephoned my lift home at 11am saying I would be ready to leave within the hour!
Never expected to be in/out that fast!
Currenty not really any pain as I'm sitting here on my sofa more a uncomfortable niggling annoyance, area around my belly button has bruised uo nicely and guessing will look worse tomorrow, they precribed me pain killers and laxatives, i'm holding off taking the pain killers as currently don't feel I need them, I will however take the laxatives so one less thing to worry about.
4 more scars to add....
Glad it went well for you, my post op recovery was somewhat slower than yours as I drifted in and out of consciousness for at least two hours and was in a fair amount of pain from the trapped CO² so had morphine etc.
My lower right incision is more central than yours but that one has almost entirely healed up already
I think my actual operation was 1hr50. The surgeon said it was very well attached so took a lot of effort to release it. Obviously.
Still amazingly quick though as I was in and out the same day.
Hope you have a good few first days of recovery!
My lower right incision is more central than yours but that one has almost entirely healed up already
I think my actual operation was 1hr50. The surgeon said it was very well attached so took a lot of effort to release it. Obviously.
Still amazingly quick though as I was in and out the same day.
Hope you have a good few first days of recovery!
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