I had my gallbladder removed in hospital yesterday and couldn't have been looked after better. The staff were all amazingly kind and caring, someone must have come to see me about every 15 minutes and I had umpteen cups of tea. It was only arranged last week and I had the appointment because someone else had dropped out. The only drawback was I had to be at the hospital at 7.30 am
Chatted to the surgeon who was going to be doing the op and he told me that for the next two weeks they were training two consultant surgeons on how to check the tubes that are left after the procedure, making sure no stones were in there. Would I mind if they both scanned mine. It meant them both having a go at looking at my remaining tubes and using a rounded probe! He said it would add about 10 minutes to my procedure. Well, I didn't know what to say, said yes they could, then no, then yes. Well, I'm still alive and actually feeling very well, just a little sore when I move and that's just a day after. There is no need for me to take any painkillers today.
Now on to the AF bit. I normally sleep on my right side but it was too sore to be laid that way where the gallbladder had been removed. On my left - I knew that AF would always strike, so there was no choice but to try to sleep on my back. Well I didn't sleep a wink, my heart was playing up and hammering away. Because of having a GA I wasn't allowed to take a sleeping pill. What a tortuous night that was, I had stopped taking my Warfarin 5 days before and I can't tell you all the worries that were going through my mind! My heart is fine now, thank goodness, but it was a sharp reminder of the old days of AF being troublesome! I promise I'll be a lot more sympathetic to everyone still suffering with AF now.
Jean
Written by
jeanjeannie50
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Two weeks stay! I was out the day it was done. How times have changed. I remember the times when we had 10 days in hospital after having a baby, they're now out the same day too. It would have been nice to have stayed in for just a few days. I find myself forgetting that I mustn't bend.
40 + years ago you were left with a big zip up the middle and if you were very unlucky they finished with a flourish at your appendix! Thankfully I still have mine.
That’s terrible, no one to monitor your health! I had a femoral hernia repair, a 999 job. Faffed around for 3 days, they didn’t do it till 6.30 on 3rd day, needed morphed and they wanted to chick me out within a few hours. I complained and got another day.
I wish you all the best and hope you feel better soon. I mean that. You take care sweetheart and rest up. What a nightmare for you. However I know your strong enough to cope with it - and cope with it you will.
Keep us updated Jean and I really hope you feel better soon.
Thank you Bagrat, at least I was offered the procedure with very short notice. So I didn't have time to think too much about it. It should have been last July, had a date then, but it was cancelled because of covid. Then I queried with my consultant whether I should have it done or not, as it had been a year without any attacks. His reply to go ahead was convincing.
Oh Jean, I’m so glad it’s safely over. Sounds good that it happened quickly in the end, and now you can concentrate on getting well. R&R or whatever the medical advice is after a gall bladder op Def no bending anyway! I imagine the GA has an impact on the body too. Glad the AF has settled too - long may that last Jxx
Thank you Jane, I think I've got a bit of a wait to feeling completely better. I just pray I'll get some sleep tonight. Will take a pill and that should knock me out.
Hope you sleep well tonight and feel better soon. I had a phone call asking me to have a 2nd ablation next week, I've said yes of course but I was surprised at the short notice.
Glad things went well for you Jean. We get so used to being on anti-coagulants that it is a bit stressful to come off while in Afib. I wish you a speedy recovery!Take care
Goodness Jean, it sounds like you’ve been through it! Glad it’s behind you now and at least, with two trainees and the surgeon doing the op checking there’s no stones left, you definitely know those tubes are clear! I do hope you have a better night tonight and feel more comfortable soon. Take things easy TC x
Glad it’s over for you Jean and wish you a speedy recovery. Like ablation recovery, rest, listen to your body and don’t overdo it. Read all the gardening magazines and ooh and ahh over all the things you can do when fit and able to garden again. xxx
Good morning Jean, hope you managed to get a better night's sleep & the enemy didn't return. Not long & you'll be out in the sunshine with your fork & spade... Wishing you a speedy recoverySheena x
Pleased to see you've gone through that ordeal successfully Jean. Having recently gone through hip replacement I can resonate with much of what you have said, particularly stopping warfarin. I had to lie on my back for 6 weeks and it was hellish especially combined with wearing compression stockings 24 hrs a day for 6 weeks as well.....Hopefully you will make a quick recovery and enjoy good health again.
My friend has had two hip replacements over the last two years, so I know what a long process that is to get back to normal. Wishing you a speedy recovery. I'm fine.
Hi Jean, I had mine out 5 years ago and was back at work 4 days later, its amazing how quickly you recover.The only thing I'll say to watch out for is your diet . I've found It's affected how I digest certain foods and after a year I saw a consultant who said a small percentage of people who have their gallbladder removed will have ongoing problems with digestion .
My mum , dad and 2 brothers have had the op with no issues but of course I had to be the one . Just like AF I'm the sole sufferer , somebody up there doesn't like me lol
Back to work after 4 days!!! I hope you had a job where you were sat at a desk?
I hope I don't have a food problem, it's one of life's pleasures. Don't feel like eating much at the moment though. I feel fine when sat still, it's when move.
I was an engineer so back at my bench standing all day. To be honest I was amazed how quickly I healed and apart from heavy lifting I had no issues .I do hope you don't have the digestive problems , it's the fact the your gall bladder regulates the bile release as and when it's required to digest fat etc . Once they remove it your liver just secretes it constantly into your intestine where the duct is sewn in . I seem to produce a lot of bile which upsets my stomach and also when I'm lying down some refluxes back into my stomach causing pain and irtitation . Its uncomfortable and I'm really careful about what I eat so as to reduce the pain and nausea .I'm told it's something I have to get used to 😒
Well done, Jean. Wendy's friend, Dipti, you might recall my telling you once, had hers a short while back. She needed the pain relievers while recuperating at home for the first four weeks or so, but she's now well. I told her about you and she sends her best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Thank you Steve. Fortunately I'm not having to take any pain killers at the moment. I only feel the soreness when I move to the standing position. I guess the soreness your friend had was due to an infection. Thank her for her good wishes.
Hi Jean - I think she mentioned that the gas they used to expand her innards to do the keyhole work took a longer time than usual to dispel and become absorbed, but she wasn't sure.
Another friend sailed through his, he told me, so I suppose each recovery is somewhat different? I hope yours continues as it has started and that soon it will be something to smile about, looking back on.
You were fortunate. My sister was admitted for a gall bladder op. but sent home because they said they could not get her HR down (she, like all my sisters and myself had AF.) she was sent home with a packet of Aspirins. Needless to so she had a stroke, luckily quite mild. She was again on the list for the gall bladder op. Shortly after she developed jaundice was admitted and a stent fitted. A few months later she died of cancer of the biliary duct, which according to the specialist at the organisation dealing with such things where I made my donation after her death, was caused by a stone breaking free from the bladder, She was a fit slim 75 year old who walked almost everywhere because she would not drive after she accidently hit a badger in the lane where she lived, one night whilst driving home.
Oh that's so sad to hear about your sister, what an awful shock that must have been for you all. So annoying when help isn't carried out at the right time. My op was scheduled for last July, but called off because of covid. Crazy how many months I've had to wait now, but part of that was my fault for wanting to speak to the consultant before going ahead with the procedure.
Well done you for allowing a couple of medical students to "assist". Thats how our brilliant surgeons learn their trade but it can be unnerving. I remember going in for a valve repair and being asked whether I would mind if the student was present. He looked about 12 although I'm sure he wasn't! I hope you recover well and that your Afib subsides.
Good morning Jean, pleased to hear all gone well, had mine removed quite a few years ago and do remember how good it felt not having that feeling of an attack coming on, or how annoyed I was if having eaten any form of fried food or large dairy products that would kick off an attack
So pleased it’s behind you now. Try to relax and enjoy the rest you must have. It’s not nice in the garden at the moment anyway, so, spoil yourself and put your feet up! I’ll be in touch soon. Take care - that’s an order! Xxx
You're always sympathetic and kind Jean! Glad things have stabilised now. Gall bladder also quite a nasty op I understand. Our hearts are picky creatures aren't they?
Glad you are recovering nicely. I sympathise with your frustration over the garden . I had to wait 4 months!!!! after my last hip op. But soreness from keyhole surgery usually goes away fairly quickly. I was back gardening (carefully) about a week after my colectomy which was keyhole. You will have to content yourself with listening to the sound of birds and bees!
Thanks for your kind wishes. Yes, I love watching the birds in the garden. Thing is the feeders are going to need filling any day. They're a fussy lot and not to keen on the sunflower seeds I last bought for them. I mostly get goldfinches, they're the most common birds that come to feed.
Hooray! At last! I didn’t know a student was doing my cataract op until too late, but it went fine and I had less pain after than the speedy first op. Best wishes for a new you 💖
You must be so pleased that is all over Jean - I also had surgery just over a couple of weeks ago and my heart was thumping away afterwards, I was so scared too so I completely empathise with how you felt. Hope you have a smooth recovery and future freedom of symptoms, my mother's life was immeasurably improved after her gall bladder removal.
Well done Jean Jeannie you've done it!! 🙂 So glad your through it. I had a terrible first night after mine and couldn't lay down it was very painful but only the one night. I recovered quickly after that. Its not affected my digestion. Take it easy. The consultant told me off when I considered it a small op. He said there might not be much to see on the outside but its still very invasive surgery so you need to rest up and allow your body to recover. I did what he said. So rest up Jeanjeanie and I hope you feel much better soon. And the Afib stays kicked into touch! The garden can wait or maybe get someone to do the most urgent work? Big big hugs - time to catch up on those books you've been planning to read or watching films and series on catch up. xx
Thank you for your good wishes. I have to say I've not had any awful pain with mine. It's sore but I can cope with that and there's none when I sit still. I feel well too. I will take it slowly. A nurse at the hospital rang to see how I was yesterday which I thought was a nice touch. Said to keep still and not lift anything heavy or it can cause a hernia where the cuts are. xx
Thats why you are best to rest Jeanjeanie.......if its not sore when you rest I do that and just keep moving around a little for essentials & circulation. I recovered really quickly and was back at work in a couple of weeks. Xx
Wishing you a speedy recovery. I had gallbladder out last June. No more ‘labour-like’ pains to take me by surprise for hours at night if I ate after midday! I hope you will be pain free from that too. AF, I get that if I lie in my left too, I seems a quite common trigger. All the very best to you. Nights in hospital aren’t the most tranquil for a decent nights sleep. You’ll soon be home and healed. Take care ❤️
I came home the same day, had it done in the early morning on Friday. I have to say the staff were first class and very attentive. I'm glad you successfully got over having yours removed. Gives me hope I'll soon be the same.
Hi Good that are OK.Remember stay on a low fat diet and melted cheese, chicken skin and sme spices. Butter chicken is out.
After years and years of episodes my gall bladder was found disintegrated!. I had 4 upper portholes somy surgeon could pick bits of gall bladder removed.
Taken out my balls were blood balls and disinyergrated as well.
23 years down the track I can most things but chezels go through me the following day.
I was found to have AF with ischemic (embollic) stroke. Then 4 days later having a carotis arteries scan the lass said "I always check your thyroid" then "oops you have a shadow on yours so I will get the boss to come in".
4 months later papillary cancer removed which mant a thyroidectory and 12 lymph nodes removed.
2 yearly scans no cancer. I refused radio active iodine.
so thyroid problems do cause AF. Mine is rapid and persistent. On exertion. At night my average heart beat is 48.
I was finally put on CCB Diltiazem 120mg I am controlled for last 4 months. I take CCb in a.m and 2.5 Bisoprolol at night.
Thank you for you kind words Joy. I'm pleased to hear that your gallbladder removal was successful. I'm waiting for the news of the condition of mine, it's been sent away for analysis. I'll be careful with what I eat from now on, have never liked fatty food
What a lot of health worries you've been through. I hope you will be well for a long time now.
Glad to hear you’re doing well Jean, that’s brilliant. I think us women don’t have a lot of patience with ourselves, and want to get better yesterday, but take it easy and you’ll get there.👍👍
Hi Jean so pleased to hear how well cared for you have been.That's good to hear indeed!
I can relate to the left side sleeping. Having had cryoablation last week, and avoiding putting pressure on right leg since, I've been trying to sleep on back and only occasionally on left when need to move...but well you know what that's like...just managed a right side sleep last night....feel so much better for it! Hope you keep recovering well. Rest up! 🌸
Thank you for your kind words. All's fairly well with me really, just a little sore when I move.
I'm glad to hear you're able to sleep on your right side again, that sounds wonderful - can't wait to do that. Unfortunately, that's the side where the gallbladder was.
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your cryoablation .
Glad to hear it all went well. I’m on the list for a gall bladder removal and am concerned about having a GA. It’s good to hear of other peoples positive experiences and I wish you a speedy recovery with good sleep and limited pain xx
Good news that you've had the op and were well looked after . Isn't it strange that you can talk bout AF as if you ont have it often, when in fact, like me, you are in it all of the time. I'm still amazed at how I've learnt to live with it but well controlled with medication. I sleep on my left and haven't noticed it making it worse. Speedy recovery Jean. Sue
Yes, I do generally talk as if I don't have AF when I'm in it all of the time. It was just a very strong, irritating beat the first night and I think that was because I was laid on my back. My right side is definitely my peaceful one. Jean
Well done you! Wishing you continued speedy recovery! I too have a gallbladder full of stones and accompanying pain but they wont operate as say a GA would be too risky for heart. All the very best !x
So pleased that you are home and can start to get back to normal and ahead of your scheduled op too. Hope that all continues now to improve for you each day x
Yes, I'm happy that I'll never have that awful pain again, will be even happier once a few weeks have passed.
You get sent home the same day John. I went in at 7.30am on Friday and left at 4pm the same day. Couldn't fault the staff there. It's done by microsurgery now. They make 4 small insertions in the stomach. I guess one is a bit bigger to bring the gallbladder out. I don't like looking at them and there's bruising too.
Hope you start to feel a lot better very soon ..you and many others have offered me lots of advice and support on here during my early afib journey and I am very grateful to you all...all the best and take care Jean.
I've had a sleep this afternoon, don't know why but I came over very lethargic and tired. In a moment I'd better wash all the dishes in my kitchen sink.
You shouldn’t be doing the washing up yet ! You should be sitting around and resting, push yourself to hard and you’ll pay the price ! Been there done that !
Thank you bantam, but I have no choice as I live on my own. My youngest daughter was with me for 24 hrs afterwards and has just called to see if I need her, but I said no. I think overall I'm doing well.
I’m also on my own and was out feeding the chickens the day after, I had no choice but it set me back so took longer to recover.Try and take things easy for at least the next week not matter how well you think you feel, good luck 🤞
Hi Jean you sound in great form all things considered. Im glad you are doing so well. I found walking for 10mins every hour(once able) a great help. I hope you sleep better tonight. Maybe try propped up? Getting out of bed from lying low was very painful 1st few days for me. Best wishes for speedy return to full health.😀💐
Best wishes for a speedy return to normal life. Seems to be a lot of us AFers have had the same, maybe gall bladder issues are part of vagally mediated AF?? I was concerned about what foods I may have to avoid but in reality virtually nothing now 15 years later but earlier I had to be careful with some e.g. Brie and I don't push my luck.
Thanks for advice and your good wishes. I think I've done enough for one day now. I'd go and sit in the lounge, but people may see me in my dressing gown, need to wait until I can pull the curtains over the window. Sunny in there now, may go and get dressed. Gosh it's a hard life, all these decisions!
Hi I'm pleased all went. I had mine out before I'd ever heard of AF thank god. You have always been positive when helping me. Wish you a speedy recovery
lucky you!! & glad everything went well for you, I went to have my gallbladder op a year ago, after waiting for 2 years for it. when I got there, the surgeon was telling me all that could go wrong etc, which made me nervous! anyway, I got down to the anaesthetic room & finally, he said, by the way, you could catch covid!!! that about did it, my heart started racing & so instead to the op, I had four different drugs to slow down the heart rate & was sent home, never heard a whisper since!! i just take beetroot juice, milk thistle & taurine, all of which are good for the gallbladder & I wait & wait. glad your experience is better than mine was!!
It sounds as though your consultant didn't want to work that day. I feel it was wrong the way he put fear into you. Mine didn't say one word about what could happen.
Are you still having problems with your gallbladder?
yes, from time to time, i get pains & feel a bit sick, but I make sure I keep to a low fat diet, don't eat cheese or pork, & drink the beetroot juice etc, I am coping ok with it. seems my AF is triggered by the stress of situations, it seems to kick it off! later on another occasion, I had been having some family stress, & the AF started up again & put me in hospital for a couple of days! soi have to remember not to get stressed!! glad you are doing ok tho' thanks for listening. judy
Hope you are feeling better soon! I also had mine out (almost 20 years ago); does seem like there are a lot of us who have. You probably won’t be ready for the garden, but will be surprised how well you will be feeling in a few days. Hang in there and don’t overdo!Trish
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Def no bending anyway! I imagine the GA has an impact on the body too. Glad the AF has settled too - long may that last 
AF ablation risks and concerns
colonoscopy and AF
3rd day after Ablation for AF and Flutter
AF and Colds
