Not sure if anyone out there has had these symptoms, I’ve recently had my gallbladder removed two weeks ago having not known what my immense stomach aches were for over 2 years. Relived it is out!! However, the aftermath is somewhat odd, feel so down and anxious…. My blood pressure is low which is shocking for someone who used to be on high BP tablets, don’t have an appetite, always feel light headed and just crappy all over. Due to start work next week from home and although it will bring some normality back I feel so light headed and lethargic with anxiety and fear. To be honest I’m on the verge of a melt down. Has anyone else had this or am I just over reacting??
Hi Shanni,
I am so sorry you are going through this and hope you feel better soon,especially for work.
I was ok healthwise before my gallbladder op yet terrible after.
A good friend who is an A& E Dr told me that it is still good to have low fat diet after the op and dairy free better.
I wasn’t good for months after but everyone is individual and hope all goes well for you.
Kindest regards,
Marie
Hi Shanni, I also had been ill for 2 years previously but had blaming the horrendous pain and bloating on my Crohn’s and Reflux and the nausea and breathlessness on my Atrial Fibrillation. When I was diagnosed in A&E with acute Pancreatitis, admitted and an infected Gall Bladder with multiple small stones was identified as the real culprit! Once recovered from the surgery the regular bloating and abdominal episodes disappeared from my life!! For about 6 months I still occasionally had short bouts of pain under my ribs on waking but once moving they went. I had one a couple of weeks ago. I was told by others that there may still be a few stones that were already in the bile ducts or were from the liver. Generally though I have been feeling very much better and having now had a Cardiac Ablation for my AF 3 weeks ago I am hoping that as it takes effect I will be better still. For me having the surgery was one of the best surgical outcomes. As for the BP. I too had high BP and as it was related to my AF I was on a very dose of meds. It needed an extra drug for a week to be able to have op. Because of my AF it was still high after it but has now come down after the Ablation so it is difficult to correlate the effects of each op and my BP levels. Your feeling crappy and light-headed are very likely due to your very low BP and making you anxious. Depending on how low your BP is I would be inclined to keep a record of it for several days and then speak to someone about it. Depending on your circumstances and availability of medical assistance a pharmacist could be the easiest first of all or a call to 111 for advice. If you have good primary care (GP/ surgery nurse) with appointments available even just for a phone consultation is another option. Do you have a home Bp Monitor which also gives your heart rate? I am only guessing here but if like me you felt a great difference/ relief once the GB was removed that would also be a great relief to your body and quite possibly the root of your previously high BP. So now the lifting of stress has possibly thrown it temporarily in the opposite direction so it may yet level out and getting advice from a medically qualified person would be the best move to calm your anxiety. Reference to your appetite, mine was a bit all over the place for a few weeks and my sense of taste and smell were off but generally I eat as pre surgery. The thing I have noticed though is that I am more prone to constipation and I wondering if as Marie has advised in her response, that I should be more mindful of my fat intake albeit that I have been for years but maybe I have slipped a bit.
I would say overall that I have benefited enormously from the op and wish it had been identified sooner. Also that everyone is different and has different other ailments that can affect the outcome so if concerned consult someone either for reassurance or investigation. Two weeks is only a short time to have reached a settled outcome after surgery and for your body to adjust. I hope things improve for you. Carol
Hello Marie
Thank you for your response. Luckily since it has now been 4 weeks post op my BP is starting to normalise and I am finding myself able to carry on with normal duties at home and I almost feel ready to start work next week. I have been sticking to a low fat diet and trying to eat healthy, however one thing I’ve noticed having done a lot of research is people saying they are piling on a lot of pounds since have their gall bladder removed. I too have noticed - that in 4 weeks I’ve gained 4lbs and even though it’s not much it’s something that’s now on my mind. I keep saying to myself perhaps it’s because I’m at home and not been at work, lack of movement etc.., have you experienced the same? If not what have you been doing? Lots of people recommend supplements such as oxbile to help. Thank you. Regards Shanni
Hello Carol
Wow, sounds like you had been through it! But glad you’re on the mend!! Thankfully, after 4 weeks post op and listening to my body my BP has started to normalise and after recent blood test results it has transpired I’m anemic and have been prescribed a high dose of folic acid tablets. I am still trying to stick to a low fat diet but having said that in 4 weeks have gained 4lbs and although it’s not much I’m experimenting with food too and my concerns are I don’t want to start piling on the pounds as I’ve read it’s very hard to shift it once you gain it. I have asked Marie the same question as to whether she has been faced with the same challenges as I know everyone is different. A lot of websites mention ox bile and digestive enzymes - do you have much knowledge in this? Thank you regards Shanni
Hi Shanni, I am glad you are having some improvement . I lost 4 stone, incredible as it sounds because I couldn’t tolerate any fat or dairy and I am vegan so it was very challenging for me. It took 6 months to sort out a diet to suit me. So I am probably not the best to respond regarding weight but wish you good health in the future.
Hello Marie
Oh wow…
Thank you for sharing your experience, I appreciate it. It sounds like it was a challenging journey, but I’m glad you found what works for you. Wishing you continued good health too. Best regards Shanni
Hi Shanni. Must admit I don’t really try to avoid fat as I don’t really eat much of it intentionally. I only have fully skimmed milk and don’t butter bread . I don’t deep fat fry anything. Possibly I should but I have only had two of the short bouts of pain under my ribcage since Xmas. I will see how I get on with the constipation and ask for advice if it gets worse.