Gallbladder removal operation coming up this week

Ok - I had my operation on Friday and after an overnight stay in hospital was discharged yesterday and am now home. It was the laparoscopic version (with 4 holes) and they had a slight difficulty in getting an airway in after I was anesthetised so I now have an 'airway' alert I to let the Dr's have if I need another operation.

I know it is early days but so far no significant issues. Still on the pain killers (just Naproxen at the moment) and feeling a bit tired but have been able to eat, pass urine and had one, slightly constipated, bowel movement. Also went for a short, 10 minute walk today.

I need arrange an appointment with my practice nurse in about 10 days to have the wounds checked and redressed if necessary.

I can't drive for two weeks or do any lifting or strenuous activities for at least a month after that.

So far so good and I will post another update in the next week or so or if there are significant changes.

Good to hear you had the operation and that you are doing well Gary. I found that drinking fresh orange juice helped with constipation immediately after surgery. Walking is good, keeping mobile helps the healing process and helps with post op lung function. Listen to your body and rest up when you need to. Also bear in mind that you have a lot of healing to do internally - easy to overlook this once the external scars look healed.

Take care.

OK so it is nearly two weeks since I had the operation and things are progressing well.

I just took the pain killers the hospital gave me (Naproxen) for the 3 days they said and have not needed to or taken any others since.

The constipation I mentioned last time cleared up quickly (I tend to eat a high fibre breakfast and quite a lot of vegetables so that probably helped!).

I am still following much the same, low fat, low alcohol, diet as I was before the operation but I did go out for a birthday meal last Sunday. I had a pint of beer and a naughty dessert, banana crepe with cream and ice cream. All with no ill effects 😃

I have been on a few walks of about a mile long which have been fine as well.

I saw the nurse a couple of days ago to check the wounds and dressings. Three are perfectly OK but she redressed the one in my belly button and suggested I keep that on for another week. What really surprised me was that the three 'holes' that are now exposed are so small and so slight. They are not much bigger than a small insect bite!! They don't cause me any problems, though I can't have a bath until the final dressing is removed, which the nurse said I could do myself if there was no leakage (there does not appear to be any so far).

So in summary I am very happy - I have had none of the 'nasty' side effects that others in here have mentioned, am healing well and can eat a reasonable diet. It will probably be a while, if ever, that I have burger and chips again but that was never much of my normal eating anyway.

I should have mentioned previously that the operation was done by the NHS with one of their surgeons in my local hospital. I can't praise them enough for all the work they do to keep us healthy.

Should anything significant change I will report back here and will probably give another update in a month or so.

Any of you that are reading this who are worried about the operation I would strongly say to get it done. The problems of not having it can be quite significant and most people I have spoken to about it (and there are quite a lot as it is a very common operation) have had a similar experience to mine.

Regards,

Gary

OK a further update - now nearly two months after the operation. All I really need to say is things have gone brilliantly.

I am now basically back to normal, eating, drinking, exercise, driving, everything. I no longer worry about eating fatty food (though for weight loss am still not overdoing it) and having occasional alcoholic drinks (probably no more that 5-7 units a week but that was a much as I used to drink anyway).

As previously mentioned the wound sites were very small and no-one would notice them unless I pointed them out and even I have difficulties in finding them. I have had no pain, normal bowel motions, no reflux and nothing I am worried about. I was told not to do heavy lifting for at least 6 weeks and am still avoiding significant lifting, but this is simply as a matter of precaution, not because I feel I couldn't do it.

I do recognise that some people have problems but based on my own experience, and the vast majority of the other people I have been in contact with who have had the same operation, most people should not be concerned or worried about having the operation.

I will try and come back here occasionally to provide support for others will gallbladder problems and of course if my situation changes.

Good luck to everyone one who has the operation.

Good to hear Gary - have a happy Christmas!