u/International_Goat32

Hello!

I am now 5 years post op - having had my gallbladder removed in 2021.

I will admit, during the first… maybe 1 to 2 years? I had what I can only describe as phantom pains similar to an old attack I would feel when I had my gallbladder. I had many scans, blood tests and consultations post initial surgery as I was still in pain, but was only ever told it would be “Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS)”.

I decided to go back to basics in terms of eating a low fat diet, clean meats etc etc.

Now, I barely get any issues and no phantom pains I used to experience. The thing that has remained is the need of the toilet post food consumption (if you know you know) but this was an issue for me pre surgery (ibs).

Hope this puts people at ease, it does get better. I used to doom scroll myself into a chaotic frenzy about “did I make the right choice”.

Hello!

New here, but eager to contribute on my experience so far as someone who has (I say luckily for now) had my septorhinoplasty provided by the NHS.

I had some issues diagnosed including deviated septum and collapsed nasal valves. My wait time from referral to ENT to having the surgery was 1 year 1 month.

My operation was 2.5 hours long on a day case and discharged the same day. No additional cartilage was obtained from anywhere else, just from within my nose.

I had no cast externally, just tape for a week. I have packing and splints inside my nose which are due to come out at the 2 week mark.

I had NO say over cosmetic appearance, it was made very clear early on it was an operational to fix the functional medical side. I’ve never been too precious over my nose pre surgery so this wasn’t really a bothering factor for me.

Post surgery, pain wise, I’ve never really had much pain, just more pressure in nose/head - like a bad cold. I’ve managed on normal ibuprofen and paracetamol for the first 3/4 days but this tapered off quickly as didn’t need. I had no major bruising, just a small bit and slight swelling around cheek area - but again nothing major.

My experience so far has been much better than expected, I don’t feel “butchered” and the most upsetting thing is sleeping up right!!

I will update on breathing once the splints are out- but happy to help with questions, worries or concerns!

I’ll add a photo of pre-op and 7 day mark below (be kind 😂 lots of swelling still!)