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Gal Bladder removal

Posted , 7 users are following.

kerianne_27971
kerianne_27971

Hi was wondering if any one out there could help, I have had two bad bouts of severe pain and was taken to hospital, found out it was Gal Stones, I am waiting on an operation for next week, I have not had any more symptoms for a year, I have read so many horror stories about feeling worse after removal, and was wondering if any one had any experiences they could share, the surgeon said I could have another bout of pain tomorrow or it may take 5 years sort of thing , someone I know of had her gal bladder removed and has been very ill ever since, sorry to ask for your help peeps , but am so worried x

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • tasha76634
    tasha76634 kerianne_27971

    Posted

    I been waiting 6 months 2 have mine out and got 2 wait another 6 months to have op im in constant pain all the time not very nice at all and i got 4 yound children 2 look after aswell x
  • dona13066
    dona13066 kerianne_27971

    Posted

    Hi

    I had my op Wednesday - please let me reassure you it's not all doom and gloom. I think that unfortunately mainly those who have had bad experiences come onto forums like this looking for reassurances and answers. However those where things go well have no need and as such the stories of recovery seem heavily unbalanced towards bad experiences.

    I went down for my op at 8.45 was back on recovery at 10.30 and discharged at 1pm. I came home had a cuppa and went out for lunch. I was a tad sore and did stiffen up a lot later on in the day. Yesterday again I was a tad sore but went dress shopping with a friend and out for lunch again. Again I stiffened up later in the day. I am very bruised and the actual wounds are tender but I've had major abdominal surgery. Having been on forums I expected to be in much more pain and discomfort. I've probably done a little too much but I'm one of those people that gets on with it and doesn't like to sit around ill but understand we are all different. I plan on taking it easy today and giving my body a nice rest. During the day I'm only using cocodamol and ibuprofen for pain and I take a tramadol at night but that's not due to increased pain but as I have insomnia so helps me sleep better.

    I wish you all the best for your operation and a speedy recovery.

  • cynthia89958
    cynthia89958 kerianne_27971

    Posted

    I'm in the same boat, surgery soon and having roller coaster emotions all the time.

    Trying to focus on the fact that hospitals do many thousands of these ops, so yes a percentage of people will have unfortunate complications, as is the case with any surgery or medical treatment, but you will always hear more of the negatives, as people won't often post online if things are OK, while those with problems will seek help and advice. My heart goes out to everyone at any stage going through this situation.

    I have had gallstones for years and they have flared up despite diet and remedies, I believe stress and other illness being the tipping point for me and I suspect that having gallstones all these years has not done my health any good as my GB is scarred and has shrunk according to the scan and I have had vague symptoms all along. But have been agonising over this and even had a 2nd opinion which was also for having surgery. I wish I had more insight to offer, but can only say, you are not alone in this situation.

    Hope all goes well for us both, stay positive, take care and update how you get on.

    • kerianne_27971
      kerianne_27971 cynthia89958

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply, I am still 50 50 , but I do agree, I think people only post on forums if they have had problems, but would hate to have it done and regret it , as there is no putting it back, have you made a decision yet hun x
  • Annoee
    Annoee kerianne_27971

    Posted

    I agree when someone said its usually people who have had a not so good experience who post on forums like this. Having said that I had my gall bladder removed as an emergency following a bad flare up in April this year. I had to have open surgery as keyhole was tried but deemed unsafe as surgeon could not safely see all internal structures.

    I was in hospital for 3 days after surgery and am now in my 9 th week post op. I have not felt this well for years!

    Until my gall bladder was removed I did not realise how ill I always felt!

    Pre op I had what I now know were GB flare ups 12 months apart and then another after 4 months when I was abroad on holiday. Diagnosed GB stones in hospital in Bali! On waiting list for removal but had 3 flare ups during this time ending up in a and e depts of 3 different hospitals.

    Last hospital said they would operate and I said yes.

    Post op recovery was fine. Took paracetamol and codeine phosphate for about a week but then nothing needed.

    Everyone is different but that's how it is with me.

    Hope you feel better soon which ever way you go ahead x

    • dona13066
      dona13066 Annoee

      Posted

      So glad you're recovering well from open surgery - just goes to show that between us whichever type of surgery you have there are good recoveries and think people need to share this like we have. For those awaiting surgery it must be quite scary just seeing mainly negative stories. I have to say prior to my op I was a little concerned due to the amount of negative recovery stories if read and as such had prepared myself for being in a lot of pain and taking a long time to heal. I am really glad however that my recovery this far has been so easy.

      Good luck along your journey :-)

    • carol38455
      carol38455 Annoee

      Posted

      Hi annoee,

      I'd actually come on this forum to ask you how you were doing (since my date for surgery is rapidly approaching) so i was glad to see your 'post'.  I'm really pleased to hear that you are feeling so well, particularly since you only had your surgery a couple of months ago.  I was thinking that it would take me several months to recover from 'open' surgery.

    • Annoee
      Annoee carol38455

      Posted

      Hi Carol

      I am glad my post is useful. I was just so happy to have the op and the awful GB pain was gone.

      I can honestly say I feel very well and my bodily functions seem to be improved too!Won't go into detail but bowel function in particular.

      I am eating things I haven't been able to for a while but try and make everything healthily.

      My main problem after the op was an infection in the canula site in my arm! Nothing to do with the GB and painful too!

      My follow up with consultant should have been 6 - 8 weeks but it will be 13 weeks as the hospital unable to meet the timescale. I would have gone to my gp if any problems in the meantime.

      I started driving about 3 weeks ago but bear in mind I had open surgery so longer than keyhole.

      Just want the full all clear and then hiday abroad is on the agenda!

      Good luck with your op. I am sure you will be fine. Keep me posted! X

    • kerianne_27971
      kerianne_27971 Annoee

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your reply, so glad things went well for you, I think if I had had more flare ups I would be in a better place , if that makes sense, however the stones can potentially be dangerous and that is what is frightening if they are left x
  • carol38455
    carol38455 kerianne_27971

    Posted

    Hi kerianne, 

    I can totally sympathise with you as i'm also down to have an operation next week and are presently in a mad panic about whether to go ahead or not as I'm so worried about all the possible complications - I'm worried that I'll actually end up feeling worse off after the operation.  Having said that you do have to remind yourself that this is a very common operation and no doubt many people have it done... feel better.... and just happily get on with their lives. It's just such a massive decision to make when you're not in terrible pain at the time.  I think if you were someone who was having absolutely awful attacks of pain on a very regular basis it would be a much easier decision - you'd no doubt be begging someone to take it out!  Doctors seem to be very fixed on the 'evidence', ie. you've got gallstones, you've had symptoms so you should have your gallbladder removed... end of!  I wish i could offer you some words of advice but all i can do is totally sympathise with how stressed you're feeling.  Best wishes. 

    • kerianne_27971
      kerianne_27971 carol38455

      Posted

      Hi lovely, so sorry for late reply, I can obviously totally sympathise omg, I should not have read some of the posts, like you my op is scheduled for this week and stil I am in two minds, my friends friend had it done and has been very ill since , however other people i know have sailed through it and been fine , Oh God , still wanting to make that decision,I worry as if I leave it and a stone escapes and goes to the pancreas then it is serious ,hope you make the right decision hun , and thank you for the reply , let me know how you get on x
  • mark31690
    mark31690 kerianne_27971

    Posted

    I live in Michigan.  I had mine taken out in early May, I had TERRIBLE pain . I went to ER and the next day it was removed.  I only had an inflamed GB they found out after they could actually see it.  I hate to think what the pain would be like if it WAS stones !!  I had TERRIBLE post op pain. But Now I feel great and eat whatever I want to.  Im 61
    • dona13066
      dona13066 mark31690

      Posted

      Hi Mark

      I'm glad you're recovering well. I have read that post op pain is worse if you have to have the op as an emergency but am glad that now a few weeks on you are through the other side :-)

    • mark31690
      mark31690 dona13066

      Posted

      TY,,  Im doing fine, I tellya, I NEVER had any idea the GB pain could be so uncomfortable. Im SOOOO glad it's OUT of me !

    • cynthia89958
      cynthia89958 mark31690

      Posted

      Nice to hear from someone who has done well at over 60 as I am and due for op soon, after several setbacks from the hospital (UK) changing dates.

      Many people seem to be of younger age when they have the op and they have not had the gallbladder disease for so long as myself - many years with gallstones, so I've been worried as it is a long time since my last surgery and I feel less fit now. Trying to stay positive though.

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