A question for those who have had their gallbladder removed...

[LaDeeDa]

Do you still have to follow a modified low fat diet post removal or are you pretty much back to normal?

I was told the other day that I would still have to follow this regimented diet post surgery...
I have the appointment with the surgeon on the 25th but I don't see the point in going through surgery if things are still gonna be the same IYKWIM.

Any experiences would be appreciated.

[Novella]

My mum finds if she eats too many fatty food she gets un upset stomach even after her gallbladder removal. She can eat some fat and certainly has more than when she was suffering from gall stones and gallbladder attacks. Good luck with your op

[Madham]

I had mine removed about 5 years ago and it took about 6 months or so to eat a normal diet again although i was a bit scared so i probably dragged it out more than i needed. I can now eat anything. Good luck

[briggsy's girl]

i can eat pretty much anything i like now (curries, chilli etc) but i find if i eat too much fatty crap, i get heartburn really badly. so i just adapted things. i rarely eat takeaway (cos that was a bad trigger) - if i do, i go a less fatty option. i know if i have pastry (pie or somethign) i will have issues later. but as far as everyday food goes, i'm fine - was ok within about 3 months i think

[kawazuki]

im back to regular diet
maccas every now and then, lots of cheeses, red wine lol

had problems, i find if i eat to much fat it just goes straight through like i have the runs but nothing major.

[hj1981]

I had mine removed when i was 29 weeks pregnant - and have had no problems since and find i can eat what ever i want with no problems!! Has been great!

[Doodlebug]

I had mine removed in March this year, I think I was really careful for about 3 weeks then decided to push it to see if I could eat my beloved chocolate!!!

No probs at all!!! I'm back eating as I was before (not too bad, but still eating choc and the occasional take-away).

I think it affects everyone differently. Just go slowly and try different things in moderation to see how your body reacts.

[LaDeeDa]

What was recovery time like? I am looking at having keyhole and wondering how long I will be out of action?

[kawazuki]

well i had mine done on monday and was up and about on tuesday still couldnt lift anything heavy for a good 2 weeks. it is a mojour surgery just because the hole is only 2cm long doesnt mean anything they are doing a lot of work inside.

i found i was uncomfortable for about 2 weeks but i think this was also exaserbated by having my color bone pinned and plated on teh friday post my gallblader removal and having crashed my motorbike 3 weeks prior lol..

on average though from a nursing persepctive you are home the next day or 2 days post they usually want you to have kept a meal down adn had a bowel motion.

[Mother Goose]

Patients are not normally put on a modified diet post cholisectomy. Re: recovery - it is usually an overnight stay and you should expect to be a little tender for 1 or 2 days with the most irritating point being the incision site near the bra line. I was fine after about a week.

HTH

MG

[LaDeeDa]

Thanks heaps for the replies.

I think the thing that I am most worried about is being away from Blue overnight :-( and caring for him immediately afterwards...
Don't want anything to get in the way of booby

[kawazuki]

the general aneasthetic will mean you will need to pump and ump for 24 hours post.

otherwise cant see any issues with getting blue back on teh booby

[Mother Goose]

you will find it a little uncomfortable to have pressure on your tummy for about a week. But just be careful and explore positions that are comfortable for you. It shouldn't interfer with BFing though. It is tough being away from them - but you need to do this so you're better. 1 night now is better than a few via ED down the track for complications

[AnyDream]

YAY! So glad you are closer to surgery finally! The diet you follow post surgery is no where near as severe as the sort of no-fat regime you need to follow to avoid attacks. I was able to gradually introduce fattier foods, they upset my bowels at first but over time I seem to be eating normally again. You will be fine, trust me the relief post-surgery of no more attacks outweighs everything else!!!