Cholecystectomy - daughter anxious

I had one 4 years ago as a day case. My first operation at 70 and It was fine.

Sadly if worried your dd won’t be reassured by what anyone says but hope all goes well and she recovers well.

I too found it very straightforward. There was some discomfort for a few days afterwards but totally better in a couple of weeks.

Cholecystectomy I didn't know what this meant! so copy and pasted below.

A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ under your liver. It is on the upper right side of your belly or abdomen. The gallbladder stores a digestive juice called bile which is made in the liver.

I hadn’t heard of it til I needed it and there’s no clue in the name to work it out, other than
Ectomy which means removal of something.

I had my gall bladder removed as an emergency; I was very jaundiced and pretty poorly. I had some discomfort after the op but IV Paracetamol is wonderful stuff and I was up and about in no time. Considering how ill I had been recovery was very quick.

I had my gallbladder removed as an emergency they tried keyhole but had to do open surgery. All was fine not allowed to drive for around six weeks hardly any discomfort.

I had mine removed by keyhole surgery. Wasn’t too painful, the “wind” you get just after keyhole surgery can be uncomfortable, I used a few drops of peppermint oil in hot water to help with that. It was a read relief to be able to eat normally again without pain

Best not leave it till there is an emergency. Your dd is making the right decision BB

Check out some of the American websites like Mayo Clinic. It seems to be very common over there and there is lots of information on how many successful ones they have each year. It is routine now like cataracts in the US.

Thank you for your replies they were very helpful. Helen has been reading everything including the Mayo Clinic fact sheets but remains anxious even though she has now met several people who have had the procedure. I think I just have to keep talking her down from the ceiling every now and then.

I had mine removed 18 months ago to rid myself of one single stone that measured 4cm across. Luckily transferred from NHS list to a private hospital due to the covid backlog.

It was a keyhole procedure that went without a hitch. I had the operation on Tuesday afternoon, home the next morning and was back at my desk working from home on Friday. No heavy lifting for 4 weeks but other than that it was a doddle.

I was given paracetamol to take at home but didn’t need any.

What aspect is she worried about Bigbertha?

I had mine done about 7 years ago laparoscopic planned surgery it was fine. Day surgery and minor discomfort for few days (didn’t need the paracetamol).

My DH had emergency surgery to remove his as it had become gangrenous. He was very poorly before they did it and was kept in for a week afterwards. He took a few weeks to recover.

So better to have to done sooner rather than later.

I had this procedure many years ago and it was very straightforward. My main discomfort was the obvious one of waiting for the scar to heal. However I do believe this is now done by keyhole surgery which suggests that healing may be even less arduous. Hope so.

Planned surgery should be straightforward, best get it done before it becomes an emergency.
SIL took ill out of the blue when his gall bladder perforated, his operation scar looks like a shark bite and recovery was much slower than elective surgery.

I had my surgery by keyhole and that was back in 1991 and it was fine. I didn't need to stay in hospital for the night but they let me as I had friends coming to see me that night and I was working away from home with no other friends/relatives around so the hospital let me stay in.

I had mine removed in an emergency in 2015. Key hole surgery and home in a couple of days.

I think its normal to feel nervous about surgery. The big mistake though is to put off having it when it is needed. Unfortunately this is what I did, due to nerves, and so what would have been a straightforward operation became far more complicated after many bouts of pain and a couple of years later. I was in the operating theatre for 4 hours and the operation was difficult which wouldnt have been the case if I had had it done earlier. Wishing your daughter all the best. I am sure she will be fine.

^Cholecystectomy I didn't know what this meant! so copy and pasted below.

A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ under your liver. It is on the upper right side of your belly or abdomen. The gallbladder stores a digestive juice called bile which is made in the liver.^

What is it with the medical profession who don't seem to want to name things that ordinary non medical folk can understand without having to look them up?

Surely 'gall bladder removal' is far more user friendly than Cholecystectomy.

Same applies to any number of procedures. Why?

Thank you NotAGran my daughter is inclined to catastrophise and always worried about her health and I don't know why apart from being mildly asthmatic she hasn't had any problems. My matter of fact nursing attitude has not rubbed off on her at all. She is doing some retail therapy today so I hope she feels the benefit.
Blinko we love our big words but always very happy to explain them and don't usually start a conversation with a patient with something unintelligible - well I don't or didn't I should say. On the other hand some patients like to know the correct terminology.

Bigbertha1 I hope that your daughter has managed to relax a bit and is ready for her procedure tomorrow.

I had mine out 46 years ago the scar is really big so she is lucky to be having it done in these times . The pain of gallstone is terrible so once it is done she will be pleased. Cannot say I have ever missed mine . I did ask for my stones to be kept after the op and had them for years . DD had trouble with her gall bladder and her GP asked if anyone else in the family hd the same . She replied tht her mum did and still had her stones . She had to explain they were in a jar. The old lady in the bed next to me in hospital asked the nurse when she had to take the pills on her bedside cabinet. She was informed that it would not be wise to do as as they were her gallstones. Good luck to your DD .