Gall bladder surgery

I Had keyhole surgery for my gall bladder removal, I developed a chest infection shortly after, I was told not to drive for 6 weeks, you have 3 incisions with key hole surgery, only 1 of mine needed a stitch in it, the others were just taped, I felt fantastic quickly except for the chest infection, but I did have loads of gall bladder attacks in the months before the op and they were truly painful! If it hadn't have been for the chest infection that I got, I think about a 10 day recovery would have been what I needed, the incision sites took longer than 2 weeks to heal and I wouldn't have wanted to get any germs from swimming, you will see how you heal and know when its the right time.

I used to be a nurse and was in theatre for many gall bladder removals. They used to be big operations then so if they do do them through keyhole now, then maybe this is what you will be having done. You would have to find out which option you are having. I do know that recovery for the full operation will take a good few weeks into about 3 months so find out first what they say when you go for your pre op assessment. It is a very common operation. Please don't worry.

I took 3 months off work when I had the full incision op rather than keyhole. You do need time to recover - it's a common op and now mostly done by keyhole, which ash a much quicker recovery time. Good luck. You will not miss the pain; although I still get some pain if I eat fatty food as the bile duct sloshes out bile without the same finesse as the gall bladder.

Thank you. As far as I know it'll be key hole but I have a chronic condition that may slow the healing process. I need to compile a list of questions for tomorrow, I think. I'm not particularly worried about it but I'd rather not lose my whole summer to recovery :-)

Summer is a good time for recovery - I sat in the garden with my Miss Read books and was waited on!

You will be advised how long to take off when you are discharged from hospital, I was back at work within a week.

One of our (healthy) friends has just had her gall bladder removed early last week by keyhole surgery. It's been brilliant. Home the same day. Sadly NO after care or advice at all. Her sister (a retired nurse) was staying and changed the dressings the day after as they were a little stained-all was well. And after about a week she went to see the surgery nurse who checked on things too-you do need reassurance don't you? She's still being careful with activities, diet etc. But no advice. I think you have to ask about everything these days. . .

Check out this page it gives all the information re. recovery. Yes it does seem to be more of a DIY NHS nowadays.
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Laparoscopiccholecystectomy/Pages/Recoverypage.aspx

........ And don't think you can eat whatever you like afterwards!!!!!

Kezia, I hope your pre-assessment went well and you are now better informed about everything. Good luck with the op. I think everyones experiences can differ, I for one, have had no issues with what I can eat (see...the 'I can't be trusted thread') lol.

Thank you all - I've been away for a few days at a family wedding so eaten and drunk more than I should
Pre-op was pretty thorough and they did an ecg as well as everything I was expecting. Now just have to sit and wait for the phone call with a date. ...

Surgery booked for two weeks on Monday
I'll be glad to get it over and done with, the niggling is almost constant now and I'm hoping that will just disappear. Filling the freezer with meals for the few days afterwards so I don't have to have people staying to look after me, sounds ungrateful but I'd rather recover on my own!

During one of those sleepless middle of the night times I realised that I was worrying about what to wear to come home in that wouldn't rest on the wounds. Why do our brains do that? !
So I've sorted a shift dress and hope it'll be warm enough.

kezia May I suggest that you have a cushion to sit on when travelling home. I can remember every single bump that we went over after my op (admittedly mine wasn't keyhole) and it was a very painful experience!

Good luck

I had keyhole surgery and I found I had very little discomfort after. If you are living on your own you have to stay in over night, if you live or have someone to stay over night you would be in and out in one day. Took as little as 2 weeks to return back to normal. I came home in my nightie and dressing gown not on the bus I might add lol.
obviously open surgery is different.

My niece had keyhole surgery for her gall bladder last year. She was home the same day and made a very quick recovery with no complications. I hope everything goes well for you - sure it will!

I had the large incision, it depends on what they find on the day. It took 3 months to feel normal but I was so relieved to be pain free I didn't care at all. I had been on morphine and had several trips to A&E, what a joy it is not to have that pain. The foods that affect me now are cheese, mayo and oils but that is easily dealt with.
All the best.

All done and dusted! Woke up to find myself on a ward with a drain in my side and an iv antibiotic drip so it hadn't quite gone according to plan but I was home quickly and have been sitting with my feet up.
I'm looking forward to pain free eating :-)

Glad to hear it kezia. Hope your recovery continues smoothly.

That is good news. Hope normal life will be resumed pdq.

All my best wishes for a speedy recovery kezia , you will soon be enjoying your food and your swimming again before too long .