Gallbladder removal - pain levels and recovery time?

**Amaunet** · January 8th, 2013, 07:54 PM

So my surgery is on Thursday and I'm starting to feel a little anxiety... Mostly about the pain levels ... and the random chance something goes horribly wrong and my children are left without a mother (this part is irrational I know)

So for those who've had it done, how bad is the pain? Tell me I'll be ok! I've never had any surgery so I have no point of reference...

**MLR1901** · January 8th, 2013, 08:04 PM

I haven't had any issues but my grandma has had 8 kids, had her gall bladder out a few years ago at the ripe age of 76, she still insisted the pain from surgery was NOTHING compared to the actual gall bladder playing up! And said giving birth 8 times didn't hurt as much!
Good luck with your surgery, I'm sure you will be fine.

**AnyDream** · January 8th, 2013, 08:25 PM

I agree, the post surgical pain is nothing compared to a gallbladder attack. I found that it was quite uncomfortable immediately after the surg but the nurses keep you topped up with meds. I had a drain in and after they took it out, it was instantly more comfortable.

**Lenny** · January 9th, 2013, 10:53 AM

Everyone is different. I was getting recurrent attacks from having stones stuck in my CBD. The pain was so much worse than the gall bladder op. I have also had more discomfort and pain from other operations - even ones considered minor, like egg retrivals. I didn't have time to wait or dwell on the op, mine was done very very quickly. I also didn't quite grasp how my digestion would be affected. You really do need to be gentle on your system for a while. But I'm pretty sure the op itself will actually make you feel better, not worse.

**LysnDan** · January 9th, 2013, 11:30 AM

I felt ten times better pain wise after my op than before it. Having gall stones hurt way more. And as Lenny said having a blandish low fat and low salt diet with no alcohol for a little bit tends to help too. I made a big mistake and had a fish and chip meal a week after my op, and omg (tmi) I've never ran to the toilet faster in my life!

**Amaunet** · January 9th, 2013, 12:59 PM

Thanks! The anaesthetist just called so its all happening!

**peanutter** · January 9th, 2013, 07:51 PM

Great!

Personally, the pain was no worse than bad bruising. It felt really *weird* when the drainage tube was coming out (I can still recall that sensation ... odd ... ) but it didn't hurt.

None of it was a patch on a gallstone attack for me.

I was back at work in a week, and the gym not long after, though I did hold off on abdominal work.

What WAS super different was my alcohol tolerance - previously, I had never one had a hangover, no matter how over-cooked I got ... after having my gallbladder out, I have had hangovers after nights when I wasn't even drunk. And my alcohol tolerance seemed to drop too.

So watch yourself in that regard

**Amaunet** · January 10th, 2013, 03:15 PM

I'm all done

pain good so far. A bit ouchie when I first woke in recovery and twitchy legs but some morphine soon sorted that out

onto oral pain relief now and seems to be going well.

No drain and like PNsaid more just a sore muscle feeling.

I do have some seriously low blood pressure though and dropping which is freaking the drs out a bit!

Thanks for all the advice and reassurance everyone xx

**Lenny** · January 10th, 2013, 06:01 PM

Take care. Hope you're home really soon.

**LysnDan** · January 14th, 2013, 09:42 AM

How are you doing now?

**Amaunet** · January 14th, 2013, 10:03 AM

Hey PP

I'm feeling good, still just sore, no pain ever actually, and stretching panadol or Neurofen out to 6-7 hours. The wound near my belly button is the sorest as DS2 has given a few kicks/ bumps while feeding but otherwise feeling great! I'm essentially back on deck at home, DH isn't the greatest nurse so I've been cooking dinner, doing washing and lots of kid wrangling since Saturday. Thanks for checking on me

**Lenny** · January 14th, 2013, 10:29 AM

Glad to hear you are ok. Take it easy.

**LysnDan** · January 14th, 2013, 10:43 AM

You've got to take it easy still. It's still classed as major abdo surgery.

I know when I had mine out the worst pain was the belly button insision. Thew was a lot of bruising from the camera being jerked around in there... They are very rough when you're asleep on the table.