Having my gallbladder removed, what to expect re’ recovery
Discussion
Rockatansky said:
Thought I would tag onto this thread rather than start another..
I ended up in a&e last September with intense abdominal pain, after a long night it was put down to biliary colic. Scheduled for an ultrasound, had that a couple of weeks ago, ultrasound lady said I definitely had gallstones.
I've now had a letter inviting me to an appointment at the general surgery out patient dept in May. I assume this is to discuss the possibility of surgery, but the letter is remarkably light on detail.
So, anything I should be asking the surgeon? What do you guys wish you'd asked or known before you agreed to the op?
Slight addendum to this. I got a letter through from the consultant which I guess I should have received before the appointment letter.I ended up in a&e last September with intense abdominal pain, after a long night it was put down to biliary colic. Scheduled for an ultrasound, had that a couple of weeks ago, ultrasound lady said I definitely had gallstones.
I've now had a letter inviting me to an appointment at the general surgery out patient dept in May. I assume this is to discuss the possibility of surgery, but the letter is remarkably light on detail.
So, anything I should be asking the surgeon? What do you guys wish you'd asked or known before you agreed to the op?
He confirms that I do have gallstones although the gallbladder doesn't have 'major inflammation'. He also goes on to report cysts on my liver and kidneys although apparently these are 'quite benign'.
So, gallstones, no major inflammation, benign cysts - I wonder what he's going to want to chat about?
Tbh that just sounds like a very long drawn out version of what happened to me earlier in the year. Scans showed calcified gallbladder, a cyst on my kidney and a small tumour on my adrenal gland. Net result was the gallbladder op, lots of tests, and the decision to leave the rest alone / monitor going forward.
After my last appointment with doctor at the end of Feb I have been waiting for my referral to go through, email stating it had been sent on March 19 saying if I had not heard from the specialist by May 16 I was to contact the them direct.
Thankfully have been contacted by the specialist today to make appointment and to choose a location via the NHS app, showed me 5 choices of location and how many days the waiting list is, a couple of the locations were showing over 300 days
Private local hospital showing 7 days so appointment booked for next Wednesday at 7.40pm,
Thankfully have been contacted by the specialist today to make appointment and to choose a location via the NHS app, showed me 5 choices of location and how many days the waiting list is, a couple of the locations were showing over 300 days
Private local hospital showing 7 days so appointment booked for next Wednesday at 7.40pm,
Saleen836 said:
After my last appointment with doctor at the end of Feb I have been waiting for my referral to go through, email stating it had been sent on March 19 saying if I had not heard from the specialist by May 16 I was to contact the them direct.
Thankfully have been contacted by the specialist today to make appointment and to choose a location via the NHS app, showed me 5 choices of location and how many days the waiting list is, a couple of the locations were showing over 300 days
Private local hospital showing 7 days so appointment booked for next Wednesday at 7.40pm,
Good news.Thankfully have been contacted by the specialist today to make appointment and to choose a location via the NHS app, showed me 5 choices of location and how many days the waiting list is, a couple of the locations were showing over 300 days
Private local hospital showing 7 days so appointment booked for next Wednesday at 7.40pm,
Now't to worry about, get it over and done with.
Rockatansky said:
He confirms that I do have gallstones although the gallbladder doesn't have 'major inflammation'. He also goes on to report cysts on my liver and kidneys although apparently these are 'quite benign'.
Snap.Had some blood test recently and was sent for an ultrasound. GP rang and asked if I had any abdominal pain - "nope, none". Apparently a 4cm gallstone normally does cause some pain. Also got the kidney cysts too. Waiting to hear back from the local surgical team as to what they want to do.
Sorry I've not replied to any one on here for a while, but life got in the way.
It's a good job I recovered quickly.
Feb 27th my wife was diagnosed with cancer for the 5th time, 2 days later she suffered a heart attack, and had a stent fitted.
I wish you all well, if the surgeon ever offers the choice of full gallbladder removal, or just removing stones, push for full removal, wasn't an option in my case, mine was too messed up, but why risk future issues, have it out, job done, no ongoing issues.
It's a good job I recovered quickly.
Feb 27th my wife was diagnosed with cancer for the 5th time, 2 days later she suffered a heart attack, and had a stent fitted.
I wish you all well, if the surgeon ever offers the choice of full gallbladder removal, or just removing stones, push for full removal, wasn't an option in my case, mine was too messed up, but why risk future issues, have it out, job done, no ongoing issues.
cjs racing. said:
Sorry I've not replied to any one on here for a while, but life got in the way.
It's a good job I recovered quickly.
Feb 27th my wife was diagnosed with cancer for the 5th time, 2 days later she suffered a heart attack, and had a stent fitted.
I wish you all well, if the surgeon ever offers the choice of full gallbladder removal, or just removing stones, push for full removal, wasn't an option in my case, mine was too messed up, but why risk future issues, have it out, job done, no ongoing issues.
Thanks for coming back to update us, sorry to hear how things have been for you. It's a good job I recovered quickly.
Feb 27th my wife was diagnosed with cancer for the 5th time, 2 days later she suffered a heart attack, and had a stent fitted.
I wish you all well, if the surgeon ever offers the choice of full gallbladder removal, or just removing stones, push for full removal, wasn't an option in my case, mine was too messed up, but why risk future issues, have it out, job done, no ongoing issues.
I hope things are going as well as possible for you.
d_a_n1979 said:
Saleen836 said:
My appointment went well this evening and i am now booked for a removal operation, it is now a wait for the operation date and the Dr said it should be within 3-6 months but maybe a little longer.
Fingers crossed they get this sorted sooner!Most likely up to a month off work due to it being physical so hopefully the weather is nice in July
Saleen836 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Saleen836 said:
My appointment went well this evening and i am now booked for a removal operation, it is now a wait for the operation date and the Dr said it should be within 3-6 months but maybe a little longer.
Fingers crossed they get this sorted sooner!Most likely up to a month off work due to it being physical so hopefully the weather is nice in July
d_a_n1979 said:
Saleen836 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Saleen836 said:
My appointment went well this evening and i am now booked for a removal operation, it is now a wait for the operation date and the Dr said it should be within 3-6 months but maybe a little longer.
Fingers crossed they get this sorted sooner!Most likely up to a month off work due to it being physical so hopefully the weather is nice in July
Saleen836 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Saleen836 said:
d_a_n1979 said:
Saleen836 said:
My appointment went well this evening and i am now booked for a removal operation, it is now a wait for the operation date and the Dr said it should be within 3-6 months but maybe a little longer.
Fingers crossed they get this sorted sooner!Most likely up to a month off work due to it being physical so hopefully the weather is nice in July
I've had 2 operations recently, private/paid for, and the facilities/experience has been superb. So hopefully you'll be well looked after
My gallbladder op was done at our local NHS hospital and TBH that was spot on/faultless and done within 6 weeks of me being discharged from hopsital
Rockatansky said:
Slight addendum to this. I got a letter through from the consultant which I guess I should have received before the appointment letter.
He confirms that I do have gallstones although the gallbladder doesn't have 'major inflammation'. He also goes on to report cysts on my liver and kidneys although apparently these are 'quite benign'.
So, gallstones, no major inflammation, benign cysts - I wonder what he's going to want to chat about?
Had my appointment today with the consultant.He confirms that I do have gallstones although the gallbladder doesn't have 'major inflammation'. He also goes on to report cysts on my liver and kidneys although apparently these are 'quite benign'.
So, gallstones, no major inflammation, benign cysts - I wonder what he's going to want to chat about?
Long story short, I'm now on the list for gallbladder removal, should be a couple of months he reckons.
I guess whether he's good at his job should be my primary concern, but he was a really nice guy who explained things well and made me feel at ease - kinda makes me feel better about the whole process.
Was anyones gallbladder symptoms triggered by alcohol? I have a senstation where the gallbladder is which starts aching around 48 hours after a drinking session. It slowly abates but it's something I can be aware of for weeks after. I've never been doubled over in pain but I'm aware of an abnormal sensatation. Alcohol is the trigger not food. Bloodwork / blood pressure normal, good level of cardio fitness. Seems I've been discharged from the doctors.
Things are moving along for me, got a pre op assessment next week.
Just in case I needed to be reminded why I want this done, I had a pretty bad attack on Sunday night. Started off feeling a bit bloated / windy, ended up in fairly intense discomfort and unable to sleep. I was also violently sick all night, with diarrhoea to top it off..
I'm still off work today, my belly feels really tender and I just feel unwell. Pretty sure this is worse than the one I had last year that started me on this journey. I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is muscular from retching or more internal.
Bring on the op!
Just in case I needed to be reminded why I want this done, I had a pretty bad attack on Sunday night. Started off feeling a bit bloated / windy, ended up in fairly intense discomfort and unable to sleep. I was also violently sick all night, with diarrhoea to top it off..
I'm still off work today, my belly feels really tender and I just feel unwell. Pretty sure this is worse than the one I had last year that started me on this journey. I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is muscular from retching or more internal.
Bring on the op!
Rockatansky said:
Things are moving along for me, got a pre op assessment next week.
Just in case I needed to be reminded why I want this done, I had a pretty bad attack on Sunday night. Started off feeling a bit bloated / windy, ended up in fairly intense discomfort and unable to sleep. I was also violently sick all night, with diarrhoea to top it off..
I'm still off work today, my belly feels really tender and I just feel unwell. Pretty sure this is worse than the one I had last year that started me on this journey. I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is muscular from retching or more internal.
Bring on the op!
Had my pre-op this morning, just took some bloods and checked blood pressure, now just waiting for July 1st when I go in for my opJust in case I needed to be reminded why I want this done, I had a pretty bad attack on Sunday night. Started off feeling a bit bloated / windy, ended up in fairly intense discomfort and unable to sleep. I was also violently sick all night, with diarrhoea to top it off..
I'm still off work today, my belly feels really tender and I just feel unwell. Pretty sure this is worse than the one I had last year that started me on this journey. I'm not sure if what I'm feeling is muscular from retching or more internal.
Bring on the op!
Sounds like it's moving well for you both
FYI sandy deposits is usually what they call: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biliary_sludge
I had this as well as a few stones and the blockage (which my body cleared with a violent vomiting episode when in hospital); but still needed the op urgently due to the size of a few of the stones and the fact that I'd got an infection too: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-cholecystitis/
Jaundiced to a Home Simpson level
You'll soon be done & dusted; just be prepared to be uncomfortable for a week or so; more so later on in the day of the op when the trapped CO2 has nowhere to go!
FYI sandy deposits is usually what they call: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biliary_sludge
I had this as well as a few stones and the blockage (which my body cleared with a violent vomiting episode when in hospital); but still needed the op urgently due to the size of a few of the stones and the fact that I'd got an infection too: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acute-cholecystitis/
Jaundiced to a Home Simpson level
You'll soon be done & dusted; just be prepared to be uncomfortable for a week or so; more so later on in the day of the op when the trapped CO2 has nowhere to go!
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