I am having my gall bladder removed on the 9th any advice or tips on recovery would be very welcome.
Backstory is that I have had intermittent issues for several years. Mentioned to my GP (Male) who to be honest did not seem very interested in my symptoms, was given PPI for "indigestion" as blood test did not show gallstones according to him.
Two years later after another attack this April I had had enough and got app with GP. He was not available so happily agreed to see a Locum GP (female) who listened very closely, asked a lot of questions. Referred for a scan, resulting in referral to gastro consultation, resulting in referral for gallbladder removal resulting in appointment on the 9th.
I am so grateful to that Locum who took me seriously and listened to me and then got everything moving. I didn't think my GP being male would make any difference to my treatment but the whole experience with the female locum was so different. I felt heard.
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Manderson27
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I assume you are having laparoscopic surgery Which is what I had a couple of years ago.
It’s all very straightforward, barring any complications which are rare, and recovery is usually just what you’d expect, rest, no lifting, etc.
I was careful to eat little and often and really cleanly for a few weeks. By that I mean small portions of grilled white meat or fish, veggies, no sauces, low fat dairy. Basically I was rigid about my fat intake and ate to assist my digestion - mini meals with an orange, or dried fruit, small flapjacks or oat cookies, whole grain toast with honey etc every couple of hours between “meals”. I gradually reintroduced cheese and then red meat and seeing what happened. After about 2 months I was back to eating completely normally.
Be kind to yourself and take the tablets and all the rest you need, listen carefully to what your body tells you it like or doesn’t like and you will be fine. Definitely use the gentle laxative powders (straining is not something you want post surgery and the pain meds can cause that) and eat well but nothing heavy while you are healing.
Best of luck, don’t be nervous about it and take it gently, you’ll be fine.
Hi, I recently had gallbladder removal surgery. I was not given any laxative powders, please can I ask what type you were given so I can purchase these or ask GP to prescribe them
I was given fibrogel. It comes as a powder in a sachet and you add water or juice and have it as a drink. Basically so there is no straining when everything is getting moving again and because the painkillers and surgery slow everything down.
Thank you that is all very helpful. I will most certainly take whatever meds they say I should. The eating little and often seems really sensible, thanks.
I assume you will be having keyhole surgery and expect to be home on the same day! Just take it slowly and remember that although it was day surgery your body will need time to recover, as others have said.
They pump you full of gas which can take a few days to dissipate. I felt much better when that had gone. And don’t be a martyr and try to do without pain relief - you need to comfortable to be able to move around as this helps to move the gas!
And if you have lots of help when you get home, let them spoil you rotten!!
Many years ago (when I was just 24 and pregnant) my GP misdiagnosed me with trapped wind when infact I had 68 small gallstones (like grape seeds) and a non-functional gallbladder.! The pain was horrendous - far worse than labour pain, and it was the paramedic who attended me after calling an ambulance who knew exactly what the problem was and got me to hospital. In those days gallbladder removal was major surgery, and I spent 3 weeks in hospital. Now I think they have a different procedure, but once it was removed the pain was gone. Apparently I now 'drip' instead of 'squirt' bile! Good luck
Yes keyhole surgery is one of the great blessings of our time. That must have been very frightening for you while being pregnant. The pain is horrendous so I am looking forward to not having to worry about that in the future. One less health issue to deal with. Thanks for responding.
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