Gallstones

[Annie65]

Really well thank you - Today has been much better than the previous 2 sleeping better and generally no pain unless I move about so I am ok to just rest and not need the hard meds which is a relief!

Eating again (very small amounts but normal diet) and all seems to be well so far just took my first shower (they used disposable stitches and glue so had to wait 48 hrs post op) and that did really take it out of me so just going to try and do a bit more every day but seems to be on track!

Those of you who were back to work 2 days after though are absolute troopers - even though I feel better today I still feel like I’ve been hit by a bus

That’s great to hear. You sound exactly like I did after my op. Honestly 1 week on and youll feel amazing and even be able to start sleeping on your side. I went into town today and did some shopping and honestly I was taken back at how I was able to shop around and no indication I had an op two weeks ago! No pain at all, I don’t feel any different .
Food is the same. I can tolerate everything but I am still taking it easy with crackers, Philly , cuppa soups but then again I am still 15 st so I am actively trying to lose weight. work wise I had the op on weds and went back to work Monday but I do have an office job and work from home. However I have been working from the sofa instead
Of my office chair for the past two weeks and I think it’s massively helped.
I am even going to pop in the gym Monday and do some light treadmill walking!
Keep us updated. I’m so pleased you are recovering just as well as I am.

 

[pink_lemonade]

So nice to hear positive stories! I am so jealous, I can’t wait to have mine out! I can’t cope with the anxiety on an evening in case the pain starts, along with a 6 month old (extremely active!) baby and we’re in the middle of moving house ‍
How long did it take everyone for their GP to get in contact with them after your scan? I’ve not heard anything and now I’m doubting myself that he might of said I should ring him…

 

[JLXRD]

So nice to hear positive stories! I am so jealous, I can’t wait to have mine out! I can’t cope with the anxiety on an evening in case the pain starts, along with a 6 month old (extremely active!) baby and we’re in the middle of moving house ‍
How long did it take everyone for their GP to get in contact with them after your scan? I’ve not heard anything and now I’m doubting myself that he might of said I should ring him…

I would just ring up and chase if I were you, or do an e consult form maybe if your surgery has that? They will need to refer you to a surgeon and that will be another wait to hear from them for an appointment date so just get the ball rolling asap if you can.

It’s only once you’ve seen a surgeon that they will be able to give you an idea on how soon they can do it for you as all areas seem to have a different length of waiting list atm.

Timeline I had was I was referred to the surgical team directly after my ultrasound as I went via A&E rather than my GP. Ultrasound was 6th July, received letter on 13th July from surgery team for an appointment on 22nd July, however I cancelled this as I already had a surgery date via private healthcare.

 

[Helena Sell]

So nice to hear positive stories! I am so jealous, I can’t wait to have mine out! I can’t cope with the anxiety on an evening in case the pain starts, along with a 6 month old (extremely active!) baby and we’re in the middle of moving house ‍
How long did it take everyone for their GP to get in contact with them after your scan? I’ve not heard anything and now I’m doubting myself that he might of said I should ring him…

I called up a week after my scan and spoke to my GP, that was beginning of March, was referred to the hospital in April and had my first hospital appointment last week. They told me surgery waiting time is three months!

I’m due to have another attack this week because of my cycle. Has anybody got any more tips on how I may prevent this? The anxiety of an attack is horrible the week leading up to it!

 

[pink_lemonade]

Thanks for responding. I’m waiting for my GP to call me back, I just want the bugger out!!

@Helena Sell Im due on this weekend and will more than likely have an attack too, the anxiety is horrendous isn’t it I’m on a Facebook page and they rant and rave about apple cider vinegar and apple juice. The do have a guide and it also says…

Strong peppermint tea
Carrot/Beet/Celery juice
Eat a green apple 30 mins before a meal
Hot water bottle

I find hot water bottle, and laying over the end of my bed can help.

hope you are okay xx

 

[JLXRD]

Day 4 of recovery and I still don’t feel like myself at all yet. Almost feels like I’ve regressed.

lots of pain where my gallbladder was, very tired and the bloating is INSANE. Idk if I just haven’t expelled all the gas yet or something but my stomach looks and feels like I’ve been blown up like a balloon! (A balloon covered in bruises)

very hard to find things to wear that are loose on my incisions which is a pain, I’ve spent the last 2 days In a big t shirt with no trousers on

Sorry if TMI but I have now got past the med induced constipation and things have very much gone the other way 🥲 apparently that’s normal after this surgery though and usually settles?

I need to be patient as im only 4 days post op but I think I just expected to feel better than I do based on other people’s experiences. I guess everyone’s different though. Hopefully tomorrow is better

 

[Annie65]

Day 4 of recovery and I still don’t feel like myself at all yet. Almost feels like I’ve regressed.

lots of pain where my gallbladder was, very tired and the bloating is INSANE. Idk if I just haven’t expelled all the gas yet or something but my stomach looks and feels like I’ve been blown up like a balloon! (A balloon covered in bruises)

very hard to find things to wear that are loose on my incisions which is a pain, I’ve spent the last 2 days In a big t shirt with no trousers on

Sorry if TMI but I have now got past the med induced constipation and things have very much gone the other way 🥲 apparently that’s normal after this surgery though and usually settles?

I need to be patient as im only 4 days post op but I think I just expected to feel better than I do based on other people’s experiences. I guess everyone’s different though. Hopefully tomorrow is better

I felt the same. I felt really good for the first 3-4 days after the op and then I felt like I was going backwards. I got stitches where my gallbladder used to be, could not sleep on my side cause it hurt and then all the sudden you will turn a corner in a few days time , you wait. Around day 10. I’m only two weeks on. Went shopping on sat, felt like I’ve never had an op. I can also sleep on both sides now.
The toilet will get better but keep it low if you can. I had a mini binge yst, some Kit Kats, choc ect and I wasn’t ill but I did get a little stomach ache. So be mindful even if you think you are ready.
I haven’t rushed to the toilet yet like everyone keeps saying. Yes it’s not solid poo ( sorry TMI) but it’s not like I have to rush or accidents will happen.
It sounds like you and me have def hit the jackpot compared to some horror stories you do hear
Edit to say: maybe get yourself some nice
Leggings from Amazon.
I got these and they are so comfy! Cheap too.
Or get yourself some big pjs
I lived in these M&S ones

I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/pur...-set/p/clp60553911?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share


SINOPHANT High Waisted Leggings...

 

[JLXRD]

I felt the same. I felt really good for the first 3-4 days after the op and then I felt like I was going backwards. I got stitches where my gallbladder used to be, could not sleep on my side cause it hurt and then all the sudden you will turn a corner in a few days time , you wait. Around day 10. I’m only two weeks on. Went shopping on sat, felt like I’ve never had an op. I can also sleep on both sides now.
The toilet will get better but keep it low if you can. I had a mini binge yst, some Kit Kats, choc ect and I wasn’t ill but I did get a little stomach ache. So be mindful even if you think you are ready.
I haven’t rushed to the toilet yet like everyone keeps saying. Yes it’s not solid poo ( sorry TMI) but it’s not like I have to rush or accidents will happen.
It sounds like you and me have def hit the jackpot compared to some horror stories you do hear
Edit to say: maybe get yourself some nice
Leggings from Amazon.
I got these and they are so comfy! Cheap too.
Or get yourself some big pjs
I lived in these M&S ones

I have been browsing at M&S and found this: https://www.marksandspencer.com/pur...-set/p/clp60553911?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share


SINOPHANT High Waisted Leggings...

Thank you this is very reassuring. Hopefully I turn the corner soon! I’m getting bored. And thank you for the legging recs I will take a look

 

[Falkor]

Day 4 of recovery and I still don’t feel like myself at all yet. Almost feels like I’ve regressed.

lots of pain where my gallbladder was, very tired and the bloating is INSANE. Idk if I just haven’t expelled all the gas yet or something but my stomach looks and feels like I’ve been blown up like a balloon! (A balloon covered in bruises)

very hard to find things to wear that are loose on my incisions which is a pain, I’ve spent the last 2 days In a big t shirt with no trousers on

Sorry if TMI but I have now got past the med induced constipation and things have very much gone the other way 🥲 apparently that’s normal after this surgery though and usually settles?

I need to be patient as im only 4 days post op but I think I just expected to feel better than I do based on other people’s experiences. I guess everyone’s different though. Hopefully tomorrow is better

Sorry, also TMI, but once I 'unbunged' after morphine I ended up going 17 times in 24 hours. Took about 10 days to get back to being solid again.

And essentially you were blown up like a balloon, it's how they give themselves space to work

 

[JLXRD]

Sorry, also TMI, but once I 'unbunged' after morphine I ended up going 17 times in 24 hours. Took about 10 days to get back to being solid again.

And essentially you were blown up like a balloon, it's how they give themselves space to work

Hopefully this will stop for me soon too, not been 17 times though, that must have been pretty awful for you

and yeah that’s true! I just would have thought that gas woulda been gone by now but apparently not since I look about 5 months pregnant right now!

 

[JLXRD]

Did any of you have dissolvable stitches and skin glue? If so how long did it take for the glue to flake away?

They did my bellybutton but under the belly button but the glue must have poured in the hole aswell so now I have a hard bit of glue in there that is sort of poking me a bit when I sit up now the swelling has gone down. Don’t want to risk picking it off just the part in case it loosens the bit over the wound.

On the plus side, have turned a corner and feel a lot better today. Just some abdo pain and have discovered the weird numb spots round my wounds which is freaky

 

[Annie65]

Did any of you have dissolvable stitches and skin glue? If so how long did it take for the glue to flake away?

They did my bellybutton but under the belly button but the glue must have poured in the hole aswell so now I have a hard bit of glue in there that is sort of poking me a bit when I sit up now the swelling has gone down. Don’t want to risk picking it off just the part in case it loosens the bit over the wound.

On the plus side, have turned a corner and feel a lot better today. Just some abdo pain and have discovered the weird numb spots round my wounds which is freaky

Yes stitches and glue. The glue has only just come off now. It’s been 2 weeks and 1 day. It will start flaking when you are just over a week & half or so.I’ve been carful showering and patting with a towel as opposed to rubbing. One stitch has come out, that’s it so far. It’s taking ages
I had the same with my belly Botton. The end of one stitch was poking me underneath and it was leaving a nasty , small albeit, but painful wound. So I used clippers and took some off where I could trying to not disrupt the stitches itself. The glue on the belly Botton has taken the longest to come off. I would not touch that one at all as you will find that is going to be the nastiest and longest one to heal especially as you will try and sleep on your side, you will notice this one can pull at times.

 

[alittlebitofthebubbly]

Weird question but did anyone keep their stones afterwards?

 

[JLXRD]

Yes stitches and glue. The glue has only just come off now. It’s been 2 weeks and 1 day. It will start flaking when you are just over a week & half or so.I’ve been carful showering and patting with a towel as opposed to rubbing. One stitch has come out, that’s it so far. It’s taking ages
I had the same with my belly Botton. The end of one stitch was poking me underneath and it was leaving a nasty , small albeit, but painful wound. So I used clippers and took some off where I could trying to not disrupt the stitches itself. The glue on the belly Botton has taken the longest to come off. I would not touch that one at all as you will find that is going to be the nastiest and longest one to heal especially as you will try and sleep on your side, you will notice this one can pull at times.

Ah ok thank you I’ve got a while to go yet then. Interesting the glue/stitches poking seems to happen in general then, doesn’t seem ideal but I guess it’s the best way to do it.

the bellybutton definitely seems like it will be the worst for me too, I have a bruise round it about the size of my hand still. I’m guessing that’s where they took the GB from.

Omg I tried to go on my side last night and the pulling was horrendous I had to go back to my back. It’a from the far right incision for me though, stupid gravity! I’m normally a stomach sleeper so sleeping on my back is not the one.
---

Weird question but did anyone keep their stones afterwards?

I wasn’t given the option, my GB got sent off to be tested.

 

[Annie65]

Ah ok thank you I’ve got a while to go yet then. Interesting the glue/stitches poking seems to happen in general then, doesn’t seem ideal but I guess it’s the best way to do it.

the bellybutton definitely seems like it will be the worst for me too, I have a bruise round it about the size of my hand still. I’m guessing that’s where they took the GB from.

Omg I tried to go on my side last night and the pulling was horrendous I had to go back to my back. It’a from the far right incision for me though, stupid gravity! I’m normally a stomach sleeper so sleeping on my back is not the one.
---

I wasn’t given the option, my GB got sent off to be tested.

Yes , they pull it from there but i think it’s a difficult stitch too to heal as it’s doubled over much and doesn’t get a lot of time to dry out and it stays moist a lot ( sorry hateful word)

I was told to use salt water. I struggled for a bit where I thought it was starting to infect and I did salt water for 3 days and they told me to use a hairdryer on cold setting and dry it out and it’s really done the trick

you will be able to sleep on your side from about 1.5 weeks onwards and your stomach too.
I am the same and didn’t get much sleep at all the first 4-5 days
---

Weird question but did anyone keep their stones afterwards?

I was never given that option but tbh I wouldn’t have no

 

[Skinny]

Weird question but did anyone keep their stones afterwards?

Yep

my kid said they smelled like butt lmao

 

[pink_lemonade]

Did any of you have dissolvable stitches and skin glue? If so how long did it take for the glue to flake away?

They did my bellybutton but under the belly button but the glue must have poured in the hole aswell so now I have a hard bit of glue in there that is sort of poking me a bit when I sit up now the swelling has gone down. Don’t want to risk picking it off just the part in case it loosens the bit over the wound.

On the plus side, have turned a corner and feel a lot better today. Just some abdo pain and have discovered the weird numb spots round my wounds which is freaky

I had a C-section when I had my little boy in February and I have the weird numb feeling around my scar, such a weeeirrrdddd feeling isn’t it?! When I felt ready I get a hair brush and run across the numb skin when I’m in the shower to get the nerves working, I have noticed a difference, maybe try that in a few months if it’s bugging you!! Xx

 

[alittlebitofthebubbly]

Yep

my kid said they smelled like butt lmao

Trust kids. I think I'll keep mine if I get the surgery

 

[Skinny]

Tbh the nurse did say I couldn’t keep them but I think she must have forgotten to take them away. I kept them for a few days then binned them. They were pretty disgusting

 

[JLXRD]

Yes , they pull it from there but i think it’s a difficult stitch too to heal as it’s doubled over much and doesn’t get a lot of time to dry out and it stays moist a lot ( sorry hateful word)

I was told to use salt water. I struggled for a bit where I thought it was starting to infect and I did salt water for 3 days and they told me to use a hairdryer on cold setting and dry it out and it’s really done the trick

you will be able to sleep on your side from about 1.5 weeks onwards and your stomach too.
I am the same and didn’t get much sleep at all the first 4-5 days
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I was never given that option but tbh I wouldn’t have no

I’ll keep an eye on it and try the salt water thing if it starts to look a bit weird. Mine is dry though and I haven’t had issues with that yet thankfully

ok looking forward to the 1.5 side sleeping then! It’s a week tomorrow and despite being fairly miserable for a few days it’s gone quick. I think it helps that I’ve been signed off for 2 weeks so I can just fully rest, my role involves a lot of driving long distances so I definitely wouldn’t be fit to do it yet anyway but I’m grateful to have the time to focus on recovery.
---

I had a C-section when I had my little boy in February and I have the weird numb feeling around my scar, such a weeeirrrdddd feeling isn’t it?! When I felt ready I get a hair brush and run across the numb skin when I’m in the shower to get the nerves working, I have noticed a difference, maybe try that in a few months if it’s bugging you!! Xx

So odd, it’s like the back of your elbow numb bit. I told my husband and he went a bit green and basically ran away but I shall try that if it stays numb for a while thank you.