Gallbladder

Catherine1021 · January 2016

When my LO was 3 weeks old I went to the ER with severe back, chest, and stomach pain. Turns out I have gallstones

Catherine1021 · January 2016

Oops- it cut off the rest of my post!

So I found out I have gallstones. My doctor referred me to a surgeon, and I made an appointment for February. Then last week I started to have symptoms of jaundice, and it turns out a gallstone blocked my bile duct and caused liver inflammation. That seems to have resolved itself now, but my doctor decided my surgery needed to me moved up. I will be having my gallbladder removed on Friday. If all goes well with the surgery on Friday morning, I should be able to go home that night.

My OB and surgeon both said my gallstones were probably caused by my pregnancy. Has anyone else had gallbladder problems related to pregnancy?

I've never had surgery before, and I'm a little nervous.

Mizuiro007 · January 2016

I had my gallbladder removed before having kids so it definitely wasn't pregnancy related but I can believe it. I was told mine was likely from PCOS. My mom started having gallstones after my brother and they never said what they thought caused it but didn't bother with surgery until over a decade later.

Maybe it'll help the nerves a little to write down any questions or concerns for when you see the surgeon. I know I always feel better when I have a better idea of what to expect.

keiragann · January 2016

I am one week out from having my gallbladder removed. I found out at 32 weeks that I had gallstones and had to wait till I was recovered from delivery for the surgery. I was on a no fat diet for four months and it is amazing to be able to eat and have some energy back! If you want to know anything I'm here

Catherine1021 · January 2016

@keiragann- Did you have laparoscopic surgery? Were you able to take care of your LO after surgery, or did you need help for a few days?

I had gestational diabetes, so I pretty much went from one restricted diet to another. It would be nice if I could eat without the worry that my body can't handle the food I'm eating.

keiragann · January 2016

I did have it laprescopically. I have four incisions. They are about an inch long. I was able to breastfeed my LO before I went in an avoided taking really strong pain meds and things that would affect him. I pumped a head of time and had my DH feed him that day and I pumped when I got home. My mom came over the next day and did everything but feed him cause I was sore and needed to lay flat due to the gas they put in your belly. I only took the Vicoden once or twice a day and I'm on day 6 and have no pain. I love that I can eat cheese and hamburger and stuff

mhwood · January 2016

I had my gallbladder out 3 months after my first daughter. I had attacks through out my whole pregnancy. You aren't able to lift over a certain weight, certain foods might still cause issues, and you will be gassy as hell.

jenelle22 · January 2016

I am having my gallbladder out tomorrow morning and I am so nervous about it that I can't sleep so here I am lurking. My daughter is 7 weeks old and I have been having milk supply issues since the beginning. I basically just BF her for comfort now and I don't think she's getting very much milk out since she will take a bottle soon after. I was pumping every 3-4 hours up until about 3 days ago and finally decided to give it up as I would only get about an ounce each time combined. While talking to the nurse today about my surgery prep, she said to make sure the anesthesiologist is aware that I am still breastfeeding as there are some drugs that can totally dry you up. Has anyone experienced any change in their milk supply after having surgery? Not that I am producing very much at all, but I still want to be able to BF my daughter to comfort her now that we finally got this whole latching thing down. Thanks for any input!

keiragann · January 2016

My milk supply took a hit because of the surgery so we still supplement with formula. I am trying to build my supply back up.

groovylocks · January 2016

No gallbladder issues but I've had eye surgeries throughout my life. Surgery is nothing

you don't feel it. the administration of the anesthetic is really weird - basically feels like an epidural over your entire body - but it's quick and painless. And then you suddenly wake up when they take the tube out of your throat. Again, quick and painless. And then they give you the good stuff as long as you keep asking for it

angbrienza · January 2016

Had attacks my whole first pregnancy but we didn't know what it was, even several trips to emerg left everyone puzzled. Finally the stones blocked my bile duct to my pancreas and they could see it in my blood work that something was wrong. Babe was 2 days old at this point. Surgery was booked for when baby was 5 months old. So he was much heavier. And I was fine. I did stay at my moms for a few days but even she kept commenting at how useless that was since I was up and at 'em right away like nothing had happened. I felt tender in some areas, no gas like I know some have with lapro surgeries but I think I lucked out. I was sooo scared of going under, as anyone would be but everything was fine and went perfectly.

Catherine1021 · January 2016

Thank you everyone! Surgery went fine today. I feel so much better mentally now that I'm not anxious and stressed about it. I'm home and trying to rest. The pain is really not that bad at this point, but I did take the pain meds they gave me. They also said I could take gas x, and that really helped because I did have quite a bit of shoulder pain a couple of hours after I woke up.

@jenelle22 I hope your surgery went well and that you are on the mend and your milk supply is ok. I've been worried about mine as well. My LO lost too much weight after she was born, and we started to supplement when she was 5 days old. Then this gallbladder problem started, and I was having a difficult time eating much, which probably didn't help my supply either. Anyway, I've pumped a couple of times since surgery, and I'm getting the same amount I usually do when I pump when LO hasn't nursed for a couple of hours. (Which is only 1-1.5 ounces.) Hopefully now I can really work on getting my supply up so I don't have to supplement anymore.

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