Gall bladder removal while TTC / pregnant?

**TickToc** · March 11th, 2013, 09:35 AM

Hi - I'm wondering if it is possible to have gall bladder removal surgery while TTC or pregnant? I'm having my GB removed sometime within the next 3 months (fx the waiting list doesn't blow out) but we're TTC & I don't want to put off TTC due to only having 1 tube & not knowing how well the other one works

Also i would be disappointed if we stop trying while waiting & it turns out i don't go into surgery for 9mths or so. Do we just keep trying & hope the surgery happens before we conceive or if we happen to fall pregnant will the Dr remove my GB at a certain stage of pregnancy (I've read that they can remove the GB around the 21 week mark) or will I have to wait until after I've delivered? The surgeon knows that we are TTC & he didn't say to stop trying (and I didn't ask) Any advice would be great!

**nothing2lose** · March 11th, 2013, 10:05 AM

Having had my gallbladder removed, I would not have wanted to be pregnant at the time. It is a general anaesthetic, several deep incisions into your upper abdomen and pelvic line, strong painkillers afterward. Personally, I wouldn't risk it.

But that's me.

**TickToc** · March 11th, 2013, 10:49 AM

Thanks N2L - I agree with you but I really really want to keep trying

We're not doing anything to prevent getting pregnant, my thinking at the moment is so baby focused I've convinced myself that if we get pregnant before the surgery then it's obviously meant to be!

I've only had one attack that has required a visit to the GP & a jab in the bum but get frequent "niggles".

Anyone had experience of being pregnant with gall stones? Does it make it worse?

**BrightSparkles** · March 14th, 2013, 07:43 PM

Funny this thread turns up. Just had mine out today. I've had stones while pregnant and it was hell. If you can I'd do it before you are pregnant.

**TickToc** · March 16th, 2013, 10:10 AM

Brightsparkles were you kept in over night or was it just a day procedure? I don't fancy being preggo with gall stones but don't want to wait longer than necessary to get pregnant - what ever happens first (surgery or bfp) is obviously meant to be - real mature I know

**nothing2lose** · March 16th, 2013, 10:14 AM

If it helps, i was in three nights after mine.

**BrightSparkles** · March 16th, 2013, 10:17 AM

Overnight. Mine was keyhole

**hj1981** · March 16th, 2013, 11:29 AM

I had mine out when i was 29weeks pregnant

**TickToc** · March 17th, 2013, 08:03 AM

Thank you hj1981!

you have given me hope lol. How was your recovery?

I had hoped it was day surgery, I hoped I could go home to my own bed, bugger.

**misty** · March 17th, 2013, 09:08 AM

Most doctors refuse to do it whilst pregnant unless it is an emergency. Best bet is ring the hospital where you are on the waiting list and ask.

**misty** · March 17th, 2013, 09:11 AM

BTW - recovery from that operation was dreadful. It may have 'only' been keyhole surgery but It was painful for ages. And the other thing to consider is how would you feel if due to complications you lost a baby that was conceived, surgery is not risk free especially when pregnant.

**hj1981** · March 17th, 2013, 01:04 PM

I stayed in over night, more so so they could monitor bub and make sure all was okay because i was just under the cut of from when they would do surgery on a pregnant woman for gall bladder removal, apparently if i was 30weeks i would of had to of waited.... thank god i didn't have to wait because the attacks were the worst pain ever.

Recovery was pretty easy considering, i came home the next day, was a bit sore and couldn't move around easily but just took it easy for a few days and didn't do anything in the way of physical work. Just checked with DH and apparently by the end of a week i was fine

**TickToc** · April 9th, 2013, 03:14 PM

Thanks for all the replys, I'm still waiting to see what'll happen first - conceive or surgery. Have had a bit of discomfort with the stones but no full on attacks since Dec so hopefully if I watch what I eat they will continue to leave me alone

**BOC** · April 9th, 2013, 04:32 PM

It's not recommended.

I was TTC when mine came up. Because of my age the specialist told me to keep TTC and do the GB later but that it wouldn't be fun. Then my IVF specialist canned treatment because the gall bladder problems and surgery can wreak havoc on your internal & reproductive organs and can actually hinder conception. They said to wait 3mths after surgery before starting again to allow my body to heal properly. I waited 5mths and am now preg with twins. So glad I did it all that way!

**BOC** · April 9th, 2013, 04:34 PM

PS I never had attacks, my gallstones were picked up by fluke during a routine ultrasound but even though I thought I was fine, I can tell you I felt so much better after they were out. I had no idea how sick I really was.

**surprised** · April 9th, 2013, 07:57 PM

BOC congrats on the twins... Can I ask what your symptoms were for you to feel heaps better later but not know you had problems?

**TickToc** · April 9th, 2013, 09:01 PM

That's great news with the twins BOC, glad it all worked out for you.

It's always interesting to hear another persons experience with something I can relate too.

**BOC** · April 10th, 2013, 04:34 PM

It's hard to say, surprised. I was just generally feeling unwell, tired, run down. But as the mother of a super-active 2yo at the time I just thought it was normal. I did get occasional pain when I ate too much junk, and towards the op date, if I had too much wine! But nothing ever struck me in a way that made me think of the GB. But afterwards I just felt wonderful. It was really surprising!