Experiences of cholecystectomy (Gallbladder removal)

mashling

Hi there,

I'm not looking for medical advice, but I'd like to hear about other peoples' experiences of having their gallbladders removed. I'm told that its a common operation, but I don't know anyone else who has had it done.


Frankly I'm scared at the prospect.


(Some stuff about me, I'm 24, female, regular weight with a healthy diet. Never been sick before but it turns out i have gallstones.)

Thanks for reading!

mashling

Hey all, its me the OP again... The surgery's on Monday and all I can find on the Internet are horror stories and "evidence" supporting herbal remedies. I know its stupid, but I'd love to just hear that someone had it done and that everything was ok...
Please?

tbh

Hi PI Mods -

I've moved this from LTI to try to get a bit of a bigger audience for it. I'd be grateful, if you want to move it back, if you could leave it for a couple of days before doing so.

cheers,
tbh.

Mrs JackDaniels

Hi I had that operation myself are you having keyhole or the full works?I didn't have keyhole so the recovery is quite rough, keyhole is alot easier.
My sister is in hospital at the moment she had her gallbladder out last week but had a couple of very rare complications.

mashling

Hi Mrs JackD, I'm having keyhole surgery but I know theres a chance thats its inflamed... Hopefully, fingers crossed, it will be keyhole.

Can I ask if the surgery changed things for the better? I'd love to be able to eat chocolate again

DEEDEE30

Hi,

You'll be sore for a week or two even after keyhole but having the surgery is the best option.
I tried the olive oil remedy it wasn't pleasant.
In regards to diet I still find some fatty foods hard to digest but chocolate is fine

Best of luck.

ms1

went into hospital March 2008 with inflamed GB....had keyhole op in May08 to have it removed. Into hospital on a tuesday and was out Weds morn. Was pretty tender for a couple of weeks after it....and even a 2 min walk was a struggle for a few days. After that was back to normality...eating any foodstuffs not a prob. Good luck with it!

Alib2009

hi there, hope all goes well. Had mine out in 2005, two days before Christmas, ended up having the full op as not suitable for keyhole. It was such a relief as i had been in a lot of pain that i was glad it was all over. I was very, very tired but that was probably the pain medication. To be honest i felt like hell for a week but as you get a tiny bit better every day you will be able to manage. I think it took a full three months before i was 100% now dont get me wrong i was able to get out and about after a few weeks.

Do look after yourself, dont push yourself too hard too fast, rest, sleep if you can and stay positive lots of tlc ! Even though i had a full op and had quite a large wound (my gallbladder hid from them!) i have practically no scar now - the keyhole ones faded in a matter of weeks. Diet wise stay clear of fat - it is a pain (litteraly!)

whats up doc

Had to have mine removed as it was full of small gallstones and the gallbladder was diseased. Had it done through keyhole. Was sore for a few days after, but have never looked back. Try to keep away from the really fatty foods as anyone i know that had it done seems to have put on some weight afterwards. My surgeon says that there is no reason why you should, but thats him. You just have to take it easy for a bit when you get home, but you'll be fine. I'm not sore like i was before i had it done and seem to be able to eat whatever i like. Good luck

MariMel

Hi OP, I had my gallbladder removed 3years ago now and have never looked back. I was told all the horro stories about what would happen if i ate mayo or fried foods and tbh none of it happened for me. I didnt put on any extra wieght afterwards.
As the other posters have said you will be a bit uncomfortable for a week or two afterwards. But thats common after any surgery.
I was in hospital for 5 days, should have been 4 but I had a drain in and the tube were too long and kept poking me in the diaphram everytime i took a breath so I was on oxegen and a breathing thingy for the first day or two.
I tried to go back to work the following week but had to take it off....dont know why everyone else i've known has taken 6weeks off to recover!

As for the chocolate.....i am fine....which is a good job considering my addiction to chocolate....lol

Good luck and dont worry.....

As for scars.....my OH (who I met 2yrs after) didnt even ever notice that I had any they are barely visible at this stage.

mashling

Thank you so much to everyone who replied, i feel much better about the whole thing now.
You all sound like lovely healthy people, and if ye can do it so can I.
Thankyou!!