Posted , 5 users are following.
So got my gallbladder out yesterday after a week in hospital in lots of pain. Haven't been told anything about what to eat and what not to? How long are you not meant to drive or work for too? xx
0 likes, 13 replies
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katherine42413 Scottie13
Posted
Hi Scottie, how come you were in hospital for a week? Did you have open surgery rather than keyhole.
I ate what I fancied, initially I just had plain food, similar to what I ate before surgery and gradually I added in other foods. I didn't drive for 3 weeks and when back to work at that time also but only part time. Its different for everyone, I didn't feel very good after surgery and just rested lots and walked around too. Don't forget you've had major surgery so the insides heal at a lot slower rate than the outside.
Its different for everyone as some are fine after 2 weeks but don't rush into it, give yourself time to heal. If you had open surgery then it'll be alot longer and you may need to get a note from your doctor to say that you're fit for work.
With food keep to smaller amounts as your body has to adjust without a gallbladder so don't overload it.
Take care of yourself and let me know how you're getting on. x
Scottie13 katherine42413
Posted
Had been in for 6 days before they removed the gallbladder. Got started on antibiotics on admission for cholecystitis then had another flare up a few days in so was basically in for pain control.
Was keyhole so got the 4 incisions in my stomach. One had a lot of blood which actually soaked through the plaster. Still weeping a bit today too.
Slept almost sitting up last night in the hospital and been napping on the couch today sitting too. Lying down isn't very comfortable yet!
Don't think I'll be back to work for at least 6 weeks due to the job I do but definitely gonna try and not do too much (so not me!).
Think I'm going to be sticking to chicken, toast and soup and safer foods for a while. Don't fancy having a dodgy stomach whilst still recovering from the surgery. It's bad enough just sitting on standing up without vomiting haha.
Thank you for all the advice xx
katherine42413 Scottie13
Posted
yes I know what you mean, sitting and doing nothing is not me either but the first few days you don't feel like it anyway. I tended to eat toast, jacket potatoes and nibbled on biscuits throughout the day.
My incisions did that too and bled through the dressings. They said to me to keep the dressings on for 5 days and only have a shower and not a bath as they're showerproof but I had to remove them earlier as they really made me itch so I cleaned them and put a dry dressing on them to protect them. I did use an antiseptic cream which helped with the itching.
As its early days it seems that work and driving are so far away but I started to feel better after 2 weeks but not well enough to attempt to drive so I had another week even then I couldn't do a whole afternoon and just went in for a little while. I'm self employed with my husband and I'm still trying to catch up with work 5 months later!!
Just take it easy and rest lots and sleep when you feel like it. Take care xx
Scottie13 katherine42413
Posted
katherine42413 Scottie13
Posted
Hi, How are you doing? no I didn't get that colour stools in fact I didn't go for ages afterwards but I've heard alot of people have had this problem and its due to the bile as its now going straight through your body rather than being stored in the gallbladder but I believe its quite normal but for your own peace of mind speak to your doctor. Don't forget your body is going through alot of changes so it'll be all over the place for a while.
I know I didn't like anything pressing on my incisions until they were really healed so I didn't wear any tight fitting clothing for ages and I think that whole area was slightly swollen too and that takes its time to go down. They were really itchy for sometime as they healed properly too.
Take care and keep me updated xx
Scottie13 katherine42413
Posted
Feel loads better since the gallbladder came out. Was really constipated to begin with but just past few days it's been yellowy orange colour. I'll be going to see my doctor in next few days to make sure everything is ok.
Have been the same and had on loose clothing. Don't care if I look daft in joggers and hoodie, it's comfy haha. Definitely still have a swollen and bruised stomach and rib area. Need to remind myself not to try and do too much as although outside is healing, inside still has a long way to go. Thanks for the advice! xx
Beenthruit Scottie13
Posted
Was it laparoscopic or open surgery as this affects your recovery time? Bet you're glad it's over!
They tell you you can drive when you feel you can safely make an emergency stop which is probably not for two or three weeks after laparoscopy but longer if you've had open surgery.
As regards food, they tell you you can eat 'normally', but I think what they mean is eat according to the eatwell plate i. e. Healthy diet. I had severe loss of appetite. I'd order food but when it arrived, I couldn't manage more than a mouthful. I advise you to eat small amounts at first to avoid bloating and I'd stick to a low fat diet for a few weeks to avoid diarrhoea. No spicy foods for a while either. I ate very plain food to start with: toast, plain jacket potatoes and rice pudding. As you gradually increase quantity and variety of foods, increase the fibre in your diet as it will help soak up excess bile that can be problematic.
Remember no lifting, pushing vacuum cleaners, shopping trolleys etc for a while. We are all different in how fast we recover and you will know when you are ready to do more. Listen to your body. Drink lots of water and rest but remember to also get up and walk short distances or even wriggle your legs to reduce risk of DVT.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
Scottie13 Beenthruit
Posted
Have been eating safe foods this past week and no nausea since the gallbladder came out 👌🏽. Thankfully haven't had any diarrhoea but stools have been yellow/orange the past couple of days. No idea if that's normal now I've got no gallbladder? Did you have any issues with your wounds? Some of mine are really sensitive at the slightest touch so have them covered with a padded dressings to minimise anything touching them. Need to remember it's only 9 days since surgery haha xx
Beenthruit Scottie13
Posted
Yes I had some loose stools that contained bile afterwards. Daughter is nurse and told me to gradually increase fibre in diet. Thought it would have adverse effect but tried it and it worked! Apparently fibre soaks up excess bile that causes loose yellow stools.
I had open surgery, but yes my scars were very sensitive. Also they'd been in through the same scar twice. I had a wound infection too and had to have two different antibiotics to clear it up. I didn't wear a proper bra for months, just soft cotton crop tops, as my scar runs horizontally for 9-10 inches across ribs. Also wore joggers or dresses as couldn't wear a stiff waistband due to very sore scar from drain to right of belly button. I'm still quite tender, especially when I lie on that side. Nurse told me lying on right side helps healing - something to do with blood supply, so I have and it's getting less uncomfortable. Daughter cleaned my scars with cool boiled water and cotton wool balls- one wipe and binned until scars were clean before redressing them. So long as discharge isn't sloughy or foul smelling and wounds are closing up well I wouldn't worry. Also watch out for them getting red and angry and check your temperature as this is a good indicator of infection.
I sometimes think we expect recovery to almost be instant. The surgeons say recovery takes two weeks for lap chol and it almost like patients are on a conveyor belt, there are so many suffering, but think it takes much longer than they say to be properly recovered. My surgeon told me it could take a year. After all, we've had an organ removed and need to keep reminding ourselves that it wasn't a tooth extraction. I do think pain leaves scars psychologically too. You don't forget pain like that.
The worst thing for me is overwhelming tiredness. I'm six months post op now and can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. I feel pretty much recovered, though still can't lift like I used to, but I'm back to doing housework and collecting grandchildren from school etc. Wearing normal clothes as soon as it felt comfortable helped me feel better in myself.
You seem to be doing all the right things - not being silly with diet and not overdoing it, so I think you're doing well. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
lynda20916 Scottie13
Posted
Congratulations on your surgery. Everyone gave excellent advice! However, contact your insurance company to determine when you will be covered by your policy--how soon you can drive after surgery.
Also, external incisions heal up to 6 weeks after surgery, but internally it takes your body longer to knit together. It's important that you give yourself enough time to heal. So, though you might feel better, don't tackle anything you shouldn't. For some people 8 weeks is better before they start to behave more or less normally. In the meantime rest, and walk a bit. Housework will wait for you!
Good luck for a complete recovery! xx
Scottie13
Posted
Today has consisted of napping on and off on the couch. Sleeping half sitting up is definitely the easiest just now. Normally sleep on my right side but know that will hurt just now because of where the incisions are.
Will keep a close eye on the incisions though, especially the one that's still bleeding/oozing stuff. Lovely!
Have stuck to toast and rich tea biscuits to nibble on too.
Forgot how painful abdominal surgery actually is! definitely not a quick fix but if it resolves the pain from the gallbladder then will definitely be worth it xx
Beenthruit Scottie13
Posted
I'm a right sided sleeper but couldn't sleep like that for six months. Post op, like you, slept in a comfy armchair with feet on footstool. In bed use extra pillows and keep knees bent. I missed the hospital beds as they help you with sitting up, lying down etc. At home I rolled out of bed and climbed in onto my knees then sort of shuffled into position. If you need to cough or sneeze, grab a pillow and hold it against your incisions.
Speedy recovery x
Take painkillers regularly as prescribed- don't wait until you're at screaming point. It's important to keep on top of the pain and normally I won't even touch Paracetamol unless I'm really bad.
Star42 Scottie13
Posted
I am 3.5 weeks post op and pretty much back to normal, sleep fine on my sides and belly for the last 10 days or so, no pain or issues so far with food, but am waiting to return to work for the 6 week mark due to my job being pretty physical.
I introduced foods slowly, starting with homemade jelly and sauces and then soups. I currently eat coconut yogurt, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, avacado, homemade soups, chicken and rice baked or stir fried. Sweet potatoes, the odd egg with rice toast ( I am gluten and dairy free) and paleo bars. Fruits have been fine too. I just eat smaller meals and try different things.