Hello Ladies! Can anyone give me details of what their experiences were like with the removal of their gallbladder? I have been dealing with gallstone attacks for the past 3 years, but it's only until now that it's really giving me grief, and having 2 little young ones to look after, I just don't have time to be stuck under a hot shower to have temporary relief from the pain! I don't like the thought of an operation either, I need my mind put to ease with others experiences?
7 Replies
Ive had mine out and it was fine. One night in hospital. Yes it hurt when i woke up but i was on morphine for the first night so really i didnt feel a thing. You do have to take it easy for the first week or so, but its done with keyhole surgery now so the recovery is quick.
Some minor scarring but nothing bad. If you are having attacks then get it out as they wont ease or get better.
Mine was easy easy. Laparoscopic surgery out of hospital within a day. I did need help with my son for about a week after wards. Much, much less pain than an attack!
It's better to have the surgery earlier than later as leaving it too long can ,make you really sick. Mine started to effect my liver function, I couldn't eat anything without having an attack and I had absolutely zero energy. I'd started to turn a funny colour.
Much better to go in as a planned surgery earlier. You'll be in much less pain, habe more energy and you'll be able to eat without having an attack.
The surgery itself was less stressful by a mile than giving birth or going to the dentist!
The op is simple and not too painful afterwards.
It is strongly advised not to lift anything heavy for a couple weeks after so do you have someone who can help you with the kids?
My husband took carers leave from work for a week or two (can't remember now).
Hopefully you'll be lucky and (gradually) be able to eat what you want after. I'm one of the unlucky few who has gone on to develop other issues (food intolerance etc).
How long did the surgery take?
Maybe an hour max. It's a very simple straight forward surgery.
The op usually takes 1-2 hours and is done via key hole so it's not usually very invasive and you are sore for a couple of weeks but managed by pain relief.... Mine was.... Complicated they tried keyhole but unfortunately had to open me up, and have cameras and crap in my liver and I nearly died, liver started shutting down. 8-9 hour surgery , 2 weeks in hospital before I discharged myself, liver now functions just fine and I have not had any issues since and that was 10 yrs ago... The pain after my op was nothing compared to the pain I was in before. Was on morphine for a few days, and because I'm stubborn I walked the same day I had the op ..(so totally can't pee lying down lol) probably not what you wanted to hear, but I'd do it again as the pain before the op I would not wish on my worse enemy, This is not a common thing to happen most people are home with in 24 hrs.
Omg babe, get the operation!!! My gall stone attacks got so bad I had to be hospitalized because one particular attack just wouldn't stop and pethadeine was doing nothing for it.
I had the op the following week and it was fine. It went well. Just keyhole surgery, have three teeny little scars from it. Had a terrific rest at my mums for a week and was good as gold after that. Got diarrhea after eating anything creamy or really oily for about 12 months after the op but 6 years on, i can eat anything without any issues. I would take child birth over a gall stone attack any day!