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Pls!! Gallbladder surgery advice!!

Posted , 10 users are following.

chrisuuu
chrisuuu

Hello, I've been having pulsating pain which radiates to the back and I was diagnosed with gallstones in my gallbladder.  I would have never considered surgery but the attacks  have been getting more frequent and more severe (every few days  and an attack would last about 7  hours of agony and pain unless I take codiene) not sure what the name is, today I went for an ultra sound again  whichshowed that I had multiple gallstones  of different sizes and the doctor says it has to be taken out.

I keep thinking that maybe I should keep it and endure the pain, I worry about what if I have long term side effects like diarrhea or I still get pain even after removing it or something else.

I am really scared pls give me some advice. Should I do the surgery or should I just suck it up and endure it.

And if I choose to do the surgery pls give me some tips on how to prepare for it and what to do after (I read alot about that but could still use some more info).

I would like to hear about your experience.

Many many thanks!

0 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit chrisuuu

    Posted

    I was so bloated I wore pants that were two sizes too big for me whilst in hospital.  I had open surgery and have a 9-10 inch horizontal scar. Couldn't bear waistband or bras for weeks after. Wore dresses because there was no waistband and cropped tops for support instead of bras, but I'm back wearing jeans and bras now. It took a couple of months. I still get some bloating six months on, but I did have two major surgeries through the same incision within five weeks, so it's not surprising. You have to give your body time to heal. I think we all expect too much and that gallbladder issues are often trivialised. Anyone who has ever had gallbladder pain knows it's not trivial. Whether you had laparoscopic or open surgery it's all major surgery and post op issues are a lot less painful compared to the pain and symptoms pre-op. 

  • chrisuuu
    chrisuuu

    Posted

    Hello everyone!

    I figured I'd update here. After one week of my gallbladder surgery I was readmitted to the hospital bcz I turned yellow ( turns out I had sludge in my bile duct), I wondered why things were getting worse and not better and I was is so so much pain. Anyways I was in the hospital for 3 days in which I had an RCP and then was discharged. This all happened a week ago, now I'm feeling better, I can walk straight and sleep on both sides ( still not on my back though as I feel like I'm suffocating bcz I'm still bloated). I would like to ask, is it normal to have pain in the right side of the abdomen when taking a deep breath or sitting in a certain position? Also,  after the surgery I noticed I started going to the bathroom alot no. 1 mostly at night,

    (3 -4 times)  is that normal?

    I would like to thank anyone who commented, shared their experience or offered some advice. It has helped me tremendously ^^

    • Beenthruit
      Beenthruit chrisuuu

      Posted

      So glad you’re finally on the mend!

      If the pain you’re getting is around lower right rib, I think this is common. I still get it six months after open surgery, but it is slowly getting better.

      If you were on IV fluids, you do pass water more frequently- same as drinking loads of water.

      The bloating also slowly gets better.

      You’ve had a tough time, with major surgery and it will take time to get better. In a few weeks, you will look back and realise how far you’ve come.

    • chrisuuu
      chrisuuu Beenthruit

      Posted

      Thank you so much!

      Actually the pain is where the Gallbladder used to be, when I take a deep breath and when I sit in certain positions, I noticed also that it's worse when I wake up in the morning but it does get better a bit during the day, 

      Do you know how long does it take for this pain to go away? 

    • chrisuuu
      chrisuuu

      Posted

      To be more precise, it is in the right upper abdominal area and the back between the shoulder blades
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 chrisuuu

      Posted

      I have the same pain, and have had it off and on since 2009, when I had my gallbladder out.  I believe that it is tied to position and posture.  Days when I'm walking about and not sitting down or lying down much, I don't get the pain. I've noticed that I tend to "hunch over" when I sit.  

      Unfortunately, some folks are stuck with this.  

      My gastroenterologist tells me that a few of his patients tell him that the titanium clips that they put in place during surgery are probably the culprits, but he thinks that they're so small they can't possibly have any effect.   

       

  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit chrisuuu

    Posted

    Mine is right at the right of my scar. I have a ten inch horizontal scar, so I’m assuming it’s more or less where my gallbladder was and it’s tucked behind my ribs. Ive read a few poststhat say similar. As it is improving (could not lie on right side for weeks) I’m assuming it will eventually get completely better?? No idea how long this will take as they used the same incision for two separate surgeries five weeks apart so I’m not a classic case. I catch myself rubbing this area as it seems to soothe it.
  • barbara32994
    barbara32994 chrisuuu

    Posted

    Hi I dealt with my gallbladder for 2 years 6 months. I have put it off cause I have so many medical issues. I was scared to have it done. I just had it removed April 12, 2018. I have 4 little 1 inch cuts, which are closed with staples.   I spent 1 night in the hospital because of allergies to medications. It was the best thing ever, I should have done it sooner.  I already feel better. Before removal I was in pain all the time. I got sick even if I drank water, I would feel like I was having a heart attack anytime I ate.  I was losing weight cause I just couldn't enjoy eating cause I felt so bad. I would have diarrhea one day and constipation the next.  This is 4 days later. I feel great. I had to sleep in my recliner for 3 days cause I couldn't lay flat comfortably. If I had a wedge pillow for my bed I could have slept in it.  I only took my pain medicine for the first 3 days , after that it hurts less than it ised to all the time. It really only hurts once in while when I move cause of the staples. The staple that hurt the most is those is those in my belly button.  I already feel relief when I eat. There is no severe heart attack pain, no drawing up pain under my ribs, no hours of nausea. I have not had any diarrhea, I know thst can happen but it has not for me.  I am one very happy woman. I see my surgeon on Tuesday which is 7 days after surgery. I feel like I will not even need to take my stomach meds and 1,000's of tums. I will wait and see if my meds can be taken away. I can not wait to enjoy eating a pizza without all the pain and suffering.   Go for it. It has already changed my life. I think of all the wasted things I couldn't enjoy and all the pain I dealt with and how much of a relief it is. You'll do fine. Waiting doesn't do anything but waste your life. Good Luck!   ????

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