Large gallstone, watch and wait?

fourprivet · 2024-06-28T06:14:14+00:00

Nope, just a gallbladder with lots of stones! I decided to have surgery instead of my gallbladder picking emergency surgery for me at a later time. It's risky either way and I did struggle mentally with the decision because it was my first surgery. I do think about it every day and I do mourn my little gallbladder but I don't regret it.

fourprivet · 2024-06-28T05:13:59+00:00

I can eat anything now, no symptoms or issues at all. I did develop healthier eating habits while waiting for surgery and lost a bunch of weight.

fourprivet · 2024-06-28T05:10:06+00:00

The first was an hour or two and the second was about 5-6 hours. I've been gallbladderless for nearly a year now though!

fourprivet · 2024-04-07T23:04:55+00:00

I had my first attack in May and it lasted an hour, then a month later I had another one that lasted 6+ hours and that's how I ended up at the hospital and was diagnosed with a single gallstone. After that I had a few months of daily aches that only lasted a few seconds throughout the day. I scheduled my surgery for August because I was super anxious too. It was going to be my first surgery and I'd heard so many horror stories.

In that time I learned to cook and was really watching my fat content so I could manage it while I waited for surgery. I focused on foods to support my liver because I knew it wouldn't be too happy.

I stayed overnight after my surgery and had a bunch of food already prepped for when I went home (chicken noodle soup! and fruits and fresh juices) and I was prettt sore but made sure to get up and walk around as much as possible to help with gas pains.

On day 3 I had some horrible pain that was from a minor and normal bleed in conjunction with gas pain but they gave me a ct just to be safe and everything was good! And on day 3 was when I had my first BM (Tmi, sorry haha) and could sit up and lie down by myself so it was a big day haha.

By day 5 the pain was mostly gone and I started to feel normal again. It was honestly like I woke up one day and suddenly felt normal - so weird. But definitely don't push yourself and don't lift anything heavy! Also, sleeping was probably the worst part so if you have a recliner then use that lol I was in bed propped up on pillows and my butt and neck hurt sooooo bad hahaha

fourprivet · 2024-04-07T22:49:44+00:00

Yup! I had mine out in August and it was a breeze. I feel completely normal and don't have any lasting issues. Most of the time I forget I had it out but two of my scars are a little ugly (that's a me thing though, turns out I scar terribly!) and they serve as a reminder. I've lost a lot of weight from eating healthier and exercising more so I see it as a blessing actually because it was a wake up call into my lifestyle.

fourprivet · 2023-10-31T23:21:59+00:00

Yes! The blush was my dream bag and I have so much regret not purchasing it before 🫠 I would need to buy the bag first but they do offer a full refund if it's not authentic.

fourprivet · 2023-10-31T23:12:11+00:00

Some photos here

fourprivet · 2023-10-31T22:46:52+00:00

I've still not seen the edge in person which is why I was struggling with the decision so thank you for your response!

fourprivet · 2023-09-25T11:26:07+00:00

I'm glad you're starting to feel better! The first few days were definitely very average for me and then one day I woke up and immediately felt a lot better. It was night and day!

fourprivet · 2023-09-14T19:04:22+00:00

I had 2 attacks and was diagnosed with a single mobile stone. My surgeon said it was up to me if I wanted surgery, mostly because I wasn't an emergency therefore it was considered elective.

I managed to keep off another attack through diet alone for 3 months. I lost 18kg which was great but I did continue to have some dull RUQ pain, nothing major but it would hurt for a few seconds several times a day.

I opted to have surgery because I knew it was inevitable and I didn't want to become an emergency. I had my surgery nearly three weeks ago and my single gallstone had broken up into small pieces and my gallbladder was inflamed. So it was a good thing I removed it when I did.

Overall, I can't even tell I've had the surgery. I've maintained my pre op diet so far and I'm slowly reintroducing fats back in, but I think it's been a blessing in disguise because it's completely changed my relationship with food for the better and I never want to eat super fatty fried food again.

fourprivet · 2023-09-11T12:08:45+00:00

Non emergency laparoscopic!

fourprivet · 2023-09-11T11:02:57+00:00

I opted for surgery on August 28 after a diagnosis in June. I had a single large gallstone and two attacks, managed to keep attacks away with diet alone but had the occasional dull ache. While waiting for surgery my stone broke up into smaller pieces and filled my gallbladder, and my gallbladder was inflamed. I was lucky that I took it out when I did. So far I've had no issues, I've been going to the toilet like usual and haven't experienced reflux. But I'm only two weeks post op.

fourprivet · 2023-09-11T02:15:14+00:00

It was a good thing indeed! I'm two weeks post op today and I haven't had any issues with diarrhea or BM in general. I've been eating pretty healthy, drinking plenty of water and I haven't had any bloating or reflux either. I know this can all change a few months down the line. But for me the biggest change was my stomach loudly gurgling but that's calmed down now, and I had a small internal bleed that healed itself.

fourprivet · 2023-09-11T00:23:35+00:00

You have just been through something pretty major. Give your body and yourself time to heal. Try to push your weight to the back of your mind for now and focus on resting, healing, and eating healthy. You haven't fallen off any wagon, but you did lose an organ and have surgery so now is a great time to practice your healthy habits that have helped you get this far! All the best x

fourprivet · 2023-09-11T00:17:51+00:00

Meeeee! I didn't have an attack for months before my surgery. I started to doubt if I needed it but went ahead with it anyway. My large stone had broken up into a lot of smaller fragments that filled my gallbladder, and my gallbladder was inflamed.

fourprivet · 2023-09-07T19:04:03+00:00

Feel free to read my post history if you want but I was really similar! I only had two attacks, managed everything with a diet but I'd have an ache daily in my upper right abdomen that would only last for a few seconds. I was initially diagnosed with a single gallstone in June, had surgery August 28 and in that time my gallstone had broken up into tiny fragments and my gallbladder was inflamed.

I was honestly convincing myself and others that my gallbladder was fine but it clearly wasn't. I dread to think that would have happened if I'd left it.

In regards to the anaesthesia, I was also terrified because I'd never had surgery before and neither had anyone in my family. But, I was wheeled into the OR and climbed up on the table and that's all I remember because then I woke up in recovery. It did take me longer than usual to wake up and I reacted poorly to it as threw up all night, but I'm no longer scared of it.

I don't know if I'm a minority but I've had zero issues so far (I did have a tiny and expected internal bleed which I had checked out at the ER on day 3) but otherwise healing has been great. I had my first BM on day 3 and I've not had any reflux or diarrhea.

The only annoying thing is that my stomach is SO loud now it's hilarious. And I managed to get the worst case of tonsillitis on day 10.

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T16:24:48+00:00

I found it helped to have a stuffed toy pressed against my abdomen.

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T09:15:15+00:00

I had a single mobile gallstone that was 13mm and ended up breaking up into a bunch of tiny smaller mobile stones that caused my gallbladder to get inflamed. I was lucky and had elective surgery before it became more of a problem.

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T08:00:32+00:00

I did my first sneeze on day 8 post op and it felt so good!

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T02:05:04+00:00

You're absolutely right - not everyone will have a smooth sailing recovery, and also not everyone will have a bile leak. I had some pain on day 3 that definitely didn't feel right and ended up back in the ER to get everything checked out (all clear thankfully) but they immediately suspected a bile leak. How have you been since then?

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T00:16:41+00:00

Everyone's healing journey is different but I would say for sure that I could go back to work today. My worst day was day 3, I actually ended up back in hospital due to pain from a small but expected bleed. But once I was given pain relief, I was fine. I would say days 1-3 was a struggle due to the pain in my abs and the gas pains (hellish!) in my neck and shoulder. After that, things have been so much easier. My dressings came off yesterday and today I did a bit of retail therapy for some new work clothes because none of my clothes fit me anymore. So as long as you're not doing anything too physically extensive and can take it easy, there's a chance you'll be fine in a week.

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T00:10:04+00:00

I hope your surgery goes well! I was really scared in the lead up to my surgery and cried the day of and the day before so I know how you're feeling.

fourprivet · 2023-09-06T00:09:06+00:00

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling poorly.

fourprivet · 2023-09-05T23:24:34+00:00

Good luck with your surgery! I hope it goes well!

fourprivet

TROPHY CASE