2nd laparoscopy 8-10 weeks following 1st one :(

[Rae253]

I have been to see a consultant today about a gallstone that I have. I thought we would discuss options like diet etc but he said he would like me to have an urgent lap preferably in 4-6 weeks time to remove my gallbladder. He said it was fairly large and should be removed.

I had my 1st lap 4 weeks ago today. This was an emergency one as I had tummy pains and thought it could be appendicitis. They found severe endometriosis. This was removed and also my appendix was and I had lots of organs separated due to adhesions and cysts.

I know the 1st lap was quite severe and I have taken a long time to recover, I was in hospital for 6 nights and have only returned to week this week (week 4). This next one to remove the gallbladder will hopefully be a lot more straight forward and quicker. But I am still very worried due to the small amount of time between them both! And also the pain I went through last time.

Has anyone had both? Was there a difference in the recovery? Any feedback would be much appreciated x

[Ladyelsie]

Hi Rae253,

I have had both, although not that close together. The lap chole was fine, sore to start but in a different way and recovery was less than 2 weeks. I had a lap last year for severe rectovaginal endo and was really sore afterwards, and off work for 6 weeks.

At least this surgery is planned, and as much as there are risks with any type of surgery I would get that gallbladder gone. I'm a nurse, and see a fair few people get really sick with gallstone related pancreatitis. It was that that spurred me on to have mine out, and also the horrific biliary colic!!

Good luck whatever you decide, keep us posted.

[Rae253 in reply to Ladyelsie]

Thank you for your reply. Yes I think in the long run it’s definitely better to get the gallbladder removed to stop the pain and discomfort. I’ve just scared myself into thinking that the pain will be like last time but hopefully like you say, it’s planned and in a different place so will be a quicker turn around. It also makes me anxious about having the time off work but to be fair my employers have already been so nice about everything.

How are you now that you’ve had your gallbladder removed? X

[Ladyelsie in reply to Rae253]

Having my gallbladder out was well worth it, I was at the point where I was afraid to eat and had lost a lot of weight. Plus, being in pain was also not ideal! The only small issue that I had was diarrhoea for a couple of weeks post op, that's just from your gut being irritated from all of the bile that now isn't stored. It settled down quickly and again wasn't bad at all, just the odd 'emergency' jog to the loo. All normal now!!

[Rae253 in reply to Ladyelsie]

I’ve been getting used to that constant trip to the loo, literally after everything I eat! It’s mad how it’s still ok for the bile to just be in your body without being stored. How does that even work? Are you still having to limit yourself with certain foods etc?

Like yourself I’m a bit weary of eating certain things, as I do not want to pay for it afterwards! I am currently trying gluten free but I don’t think dairy is particularly great for my tummy either, so have to watch cheese, butter etc. I’ve got coconut/almond milk which is actually not that bad!

It’s no wonder that a lot of us on this forum seem to be lacking energy and feeling tired, as it’s so hard to find a good balance of food/nutrients that do not upset the tummy.

Sorry with all the questions! x

[Ladyelsie in reply to Rae253]

Don't worry about all of the questions. Your body adapts quickly so don't worry about the bile. I also have no dietary restrictions at all which is great, at one point I was hospitalised because I'd eaten a sir fry with a whole teaspoon of oil in it!! In the end all I ate was jelly babies, bread and jam, skinless chicken and salad as anything else started the biliary colic again. I wouldn't go mad with cutting everything out of your diet, see how things go after the lap chole and then if your tummy is still bad get a referral to a dietician. Clean eating isn't always healthy eating, and you need your nutrients to heal properly.

[Rockflower]

Oh bless you.

five weeks after my lap to remove endo last year, I went for a scan and found out I had a big gallstone (16mm). I couldn't face another surgery so didn't get referred on to anyone. I just didn't eat anything that I knew would potentially lead to the horrible biliary colic attacks. (But still had them infrequently)

I'm now on the waiting list for a hysterectomy and decided to see about my gallbladder with the general surgeons. I've been told the same it needs removing as it will just get bigger and worse!

So the general surgeon is trying to see if my endo specialist can arrange a surgeon to do the gallbladder in the same op! Fingers crossed, or else I face two surgeries no doubt close together.

Hopefully the surgery won't be too bad for you, and recovery quicker than the emergency one you had for the endometriosis.

[Rae253 in reply to Rockflower]

Hi that sounds a good idea to get it all done together! I hope it comes around quick for you to save you being in any more pain.

My mum actually joked after I had my endo lap, she said they should of whipped the stone out at the same time! Looking back now, I wish they would have.

I was all up for trying a better less fat diet but the consultant said that unlike the small stones, which can pass (incredibly painful though and can cause other serious problems) the larger ones don’t and the pain will be constant as it rubs on the wall of the gallbladder. Mines a similar size to yours 18mm and I think he said the bile duct opening is 4mm so those sized stones are not moving unless they’re physically taken out! X

[Rockflower]

Yes, I hope it can be done at the same time! I didn't know it was possible until I mentioned I was already waiting for a hysterectomy.

My GP did want me to see the general surgeon last year but I thought I could manage it with my diet. But like the surgeon said to you too, it's too big to pass and will grow 1-2mm each year, and there's 0% I wouldn't end up in surgery to remove the gallbladder anyway. (And would suffer so much in the process)

My mother in law just spent nearly a year suffering severe pain due to 4 large stones... She really was so poorly and lost such a huge amount of weight. (You don't want to go through that) That's the reason I took my head out of the sand and saw my GP to ask for the referal a few months ago.

It rubbish isn't it.. As if we didn't have enough having to have the endo surgeries, we have to have this one now as well!

Hope all goes smoothly for you and recovery isn't as bad as you fear xx

[Rae253 in reply to Rockflower]

Oh your poor mother in law!

Yes let’s hope we both manage to be pain free soon and our poor tummies get a rest!

Take care & thanks for your advice x