Having my gallbladder removed, what to expect re’ recovery
Discussion
On Wednesday last week I was rushed to hospital, with what I now know was a dicky gallbladder.
I was sent home on Sunday, but received the call today that my removal operation is on Thursday.
After spending 11 months losing over 70lb, and starting to cycle, go to the gym, and do karate, I'm a bit worried how much this will set me back.
Anyone got any recovery stories, or tips to share?I
Should I talk to the gym and ask them to help with an exercise program after my op?
I was sent home on Sunday, but received the call today that my removal operation is on Thursday.
After spending 11 months losing over 70lb, and starting to cycle, go to the gym, and do karate, I'm a bit worried how much this will set me back.
Anyone got any recovery stories, or tips to share?I
Should I talk to the gym and ask them to help with an exercise program after my op?
Bloody hell, that was quick! I had to wait 6 months from my first severe attack to my op. (I had been having symptoms for 3 years but the doctor at the time kept misdiagnosing heart burn depsite me telling her it was worse than that.)
Anyway, I'd say no exercise for two weeks and to take it easy for the following two weeks then building up your exercise from that. It will feel like someone has had a good rummage around so make sure you take your pain relief. I didn't find mine very painful but quite uncomfortable for a few days. You should be able to sleep ok though. Be very careful stretching as well.
Anyway, I'd say no exercise for two weeks and to take it easy for the following two weeks then building up your exercise from that. It will feel like someone has had a good rummage around so make sure you take your pain relief. I didn't find mine very painful but quite uncomfortable for a few days. You should be able to sleep ok though. Be very careful stretching as well.
I know two people that have had a gallbladder removal. In your case it sounds like you have been lucky in a swift diagnosis, as the people I know only had it diagnosed and surgery booked after a 2/3 years long series of mysterious yet debilitating "attacks" of abdominal pain.
One thing you'll find is that you can't eat certain foods any more (presumably due to the loss of bile production function) - and which foods those are can vary from person to person. In one of the cases I know, peas and soft-centered eggs now cause a swift trip to the porcelain, but other vegetables and hard centered eggs are fine!
As for your weight loss journey and taking it easy - I would definitely err on the side of caution if I were you. Losing weight again is a pain, but it's better than tearing internal stitches and needing to go back into surgery..... (in, again, one of my anecdotal cases, the person was readmitted to hospital 3 days after discharge, with a life-threatening internal bile leak. Whether this was because it wasnt sewn up properly in the first case, or whether tore by moving too much to soon, was never fully determined as the (private) hospital involved understandably just wanted the issue to go away - but the point is, you don't want it to happen to you!
One thing you'll find is that you can't eat certain foods any more (presumably due to the loss of bile production function) - and which foods those are can vary from person to person. In one of the cases I know, peas and soft-centered eggs now cause a swift trip to the porcelain, but other vegetables and hard centered eggs are fine!
As for your weight loss journey and taking it easy - I would definitely err on the side of caution if I were you. Losing weight again is a pain, but it's better than tearing internal stitches and needing to go back into surgery..... (in, again, one of my anecdotal cases, the person was readmitted to hospital 3 days after discharge, with a life-threatening internal bile leak. Whether this was because it wasnt sewn up properly in the first case, or whether tore by moving too much to soon, was never fully determined as the (private) hospital involved understandably just wanted the issue to go away - but the point is, you don't want it to happen to you!
Very timely thread as just back from visiting the doctor who suspects I have been suffering bouts of biliary colic (not nice) caused by gallstones, they took some emergency bloods while there and I have to wait for an appointment for an ultra-sound.
Stroke of luck to see a doctor this morning and then get bloods taken straight away, the nice lady on reception moved things around as I was there so could have blood taken
Stroke of luck to see a doctor this morning and then get bloods taken straight away, the nice lady on reception moved things around as I was there so could have blood taken
I am sans gall bladder. I think my liver is a bit of an underperformer to boot, so it does get bile to where it's required a bit late - meaning any fats from fatty foods tend to, ahem, escape relatively unscathed where they'd be otherwise metabolised by the body....
For your exercise regime you'll need to take a bit of a break from it to give any incisions time to heal. The incisions in the abdomen will be a bit painful if you start getting a bit physical. I found reaching outwards to wipe the kitchen island bench a bit on the ouchy side of things for a bit. You probably won't fall off the wagon if you have a bit of time off from the exercise.
For your exercise regime you'll need to take a bit of a break from it to give any incisions time to heal. The incisions in the abdomen will be a bit painful if you start getting a bit physical. I found reaching outwards to wipe the kitchen island bench a bit on the ouchy side of things for a bit. You probably won't fall off the wagon if you have a bit of time off from the exercise.
Edited by rodericb on Friday 5th January 12:21
rodericb said:
I am sans gall bladder. I think my liver is a bit of an underperformer to boot, so it does get bile to where it's required a bit late - meaning any fats from fatty foods tend to, ahem, escape relatively unscathed where they'd be otherwise metabolised by the body....
You need Cholestragel for that. I had the same and it cleared it right up. I had my gallbladder removed a week after having been rushed to A&E with pancreatitis. It was done using keyhole surgery (laparoscopy). I had just four small incision marks. Apart from being a bit sore for a few days, I think fatigue was my worse symptom but recovered well after a couple of weeks. I think I'd lay off any strenuous exercise for a while. With regard to diet, I can't say that I've noticed any difference or foods that I've had to avoid.
Mine was removed a while ago (1997) when I had a bad gastric pain - ultrasound showed a 'squidgy mass' where the gall bladder would have been.
It was gangrenous and following key hole investigation I have an 8 inch 'oh f*ck' scar where they went in big style to hoover out the grotty remains.
Yes, it was as if they'd pulled out my guts and then just shoved them back in. Recovery was ok, out of hospital after a week and then just took it steady for a month or so. The biggest problem was that I was getting married only two weeks after the Op and worse - my wife had to give up a Jonathan Palmer driving experience to take me to A&E.....
Digestive instances centre around fatty foods - cheese, spicy curries etc. as is to be expected and I did have a period where Symprove was required to stabilise/balance my stomach.
It was gangrenous and following key hole investigation I have an 8 inch 'oh f*ck' scar where they went in big style to hoover out the grotty remains.
Yes, it was as if they'd pulled out my guts and then just shoved them back in. Recovery was ok, out of hospital after a week and then just took it steady for a month or so. The biggest problem was that I was getting married only two weeks after the Op and worse - my wife had to give up a Jonathan Palmer driving experience to take me to A&E.....
Digestive instances centre around fatty foods - cheese, spicy curries etc. as is to be expected and I did have a period where Symprove was required to stabilise/balance my stomach.
Just had the doctor surgery on the phone regarding my blood test from yesterday, the doctor has reviewed the tests and requested I have more within the next 2 weeks, they didn't say anything else so no idea if they messed up the tests or they found something and want to check their findings, now booked in for two weeks today for more blood tests
Saleen836 said:
Just had the doctor surgery on the phone regarding my blood test from yesterday, the doctor has reviewed the tests and requested I have more within the next 2 weeks, they didn't say anything else so no idea if they messed up the tests or they found something and want to check their findings, now booked in for two weeks today for more blood tests
How many vials of blood did they take?Had my gall stones/ bladder out via keyhole surgery about 10 years ago.
couple of small stones and one big bugger - gave in to me in a little jar as a keep sake.
Felt brilliant for about 24 hours, then the ' big' drugs wore off and it was painful ( 7/8 out of 10) for a couple of days.
Took a week or so until i felt ' better'
couple of small stones and one big bugger - gave in to me in a little jar as a keep sake.
Felt brilliant for about 24 hours, then the ' big' drugs wore off and it was painful ( 7/8 out of 10) for a couple of days.
Took a week or so until i felt ' better'
Rh14n said:
I had my gallbladder removed a week after having been rushed to A&E with pancreatitis. It was done using keyhole surgery (laparoscopy). I had just four small incision marks. Apart from being a bit sore for a few days, I think fatigue was my worse symptom but recovered well after a couple of weeks. I think I'd lay off any strenuous exercise for a while. With regard to diet, I can't say that I've noticed any difference or foods that I've had to avoid.
I went through exactly the same thing a few years ago. I changed nothing in my life habits. The only difference that I noticed were my stools were a bit softer! YMMV 
pocketspring said:
Saleen836 said:
Just had the doctor surgery on the phone regarding my blood test from yesterday, the doctor has reviewed the tests and requested I have more within the next 2 weeks, they didn't say anything else so no idea if they messed up the tests or they found something and want to check their findings, now booked in for two weeks today for more blood tests
How many vials of blood did they take?My own experience - dec 3rd fine until mother of all abdomen pain and a&e
Ultrasound inconclusive but excellent care in south wales and consultant says.. I think we should take a look
Admitted to hospital Tuesday, operation Thursday. This is what’s known in the trade as a Laparoscopic cholecystectomy to LapColy. Should normally take sub 2,5 hours. Mine took 6 .. it was quite the mess apparently
I’ve recovers quickly from the surgery but the anaesthetic recovery has done me in. Still off work
Ultrasound inconclusive but excellent care in south wales and consultant says.. I think we should take a look
Admitted to hospital Tuesday, operation Thursday. This is what’s known in the trade as a Laparoscopic cholecystectomy to LapColy. Should normally take sub 2,5 hours. Mine took 6 .. it was quite the mess apparently
I’ve recovers quickly from the surgery but the anaesthetic recovery has done me in. Still off work
Thanks all, the surgery went ahead as planned.
There was a few complications, it had stuck itself to my bowel, and apparently the stuff inside it was more like jelly, than liquid.
Luckily the surgeon managed to un stick it, so just the 4 incisions (we had discussed before hand that he may have needed to do more)
I didn't make it out the same day, as I required a drain in me for 24 hours.
Got out yesterday feeling sore but ok, but as someone said in there reply, now the good drugs have worn off, I'm sore, very sore, and feel nauseous.
There was a few complications, it had stuck itself to my bowel, and apparently the stuff inside it was more like jelly, than liquid.
Luckily the surgeon managed to un stick it, so just the 4 incisions (we had discussed before hand that he may have needed to do more)
I didn't make it out the same day, as I required a drain in me for 24 hours.
Got out yesterday feeling sore but ok, but as someone said in there reply, now the good drugs have worn off, I'm sore, very sore, and feel nauseous.
cjs racing. said:
Thanks all, the surgery went ahead as planned.
There was a few complications, it had stuck itself to my bowel, and apparently the stuff inside it was more like jelly, than liquid.
Luckily the surgeon managed to un stick it, so just the 4 incisions (we had discussed before hand that he may have needed to do more)
I didn't make it out the same day, as I required a drain in me for 24 hours.
Got out yesterday feeling sore but ok, but as someone said in there reply, now the good drugs have worn off, I'm sore, very sore, and feel nauseous.
Glad it went well in the end, gall stones are horrendous. Well, mine were anyway. Have they given you any pain relief? It might be worth asking the docs for something stronger to control the pain. Don't try to be a hero, it's not worth it! There was a few complications, it had stuck itself to my bowel, and apparently the stuff inside it was more like jelly, than liquid.
Luckily the surgeon managed to un stick it, so just the 4 incisions (we had discussed before hand that he may have needed to do more)
I didn't make it out the same day, as I required a drain in me for 24 hours.
Got out yesterday feeling sore but ok, but as someone said in there reply, now the good drugs have worn off, I'm sore, very sore, and feel nauseous.
pocketspring said:
Glad it went well in the end, gall stones are horrendous. Well, mine were anyway. Have they given you any pain relief? It might be worth asking the docs for something stronger to control the pain. Don't try to be a hero, it's not worth it!
Sent me home with 30mg codeine.cjs racing. said:
pocketspring said:
Glad it went well in the end, gall stones are horrendous. Well, mine were anyway. Have they given you any pain relief? It might be worth asking the docs for something stronger to control the pain. Don't try to be a hero, it's not worth it!
Sent me home with 30mg codeine.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff