After Gall Bladder Removal Surgery---

United States
July 5, 2008 2:03pm CST
I hope someone can help me. I had surgery to remove my gall bladder on Tuesday. It is now Saturday. These past few days I have been sore and the incisions have hurt, as to be expected, but today I have a very different kind of pain. It almost feels as if I'm having a gall bladder attack, which obviously I shouldn't as it's been removed. This pain has got me a bit worried, it hurts all over, for a moment I thought it was in my chest and perhaps I was having a heart attack. I know the doctors said I could have some phantom pains for a bit... but this is 4 days later and this is the first I'm feeling this. Is it normal? Could I just be over doing it? Does anyone have any experience with this? If it is normal, how long can I expect to feel like this until I no longer have pains due to the gall bladder anymore?
3 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
5 Jul 08
I have no idea about the gall bladder and so cannot help you on this point, but I would say that if you are no better by the beginning of the week you should consider seeing someone about it. I know from previous discussions that you have been feeling unwell for a day or two. If you can get a bit more rest then do it, after all when all is said and done you have just had surgery and you need rest, I know it is hard when you have kids and family to look after but please try xxxx
• United States
5 Jul 08
It seems to come and go. Sometimes I feel fine and sometimes I feel sick, and each time I feel sick it's different. Yesterday I felt woozy, today it's just pain in my abdomen. Perhaps I did overdo it a bit today as my husband has been at work all day. He will be home in about 2 hours, and I really have nothing left to do until then. I've been relaxing as best I can, but you know I had a sink full of dishes and mountain of laundry to work on, lol.
@gemini_rose (16264)
5 Jul 08
I totally understand, and although I dont know you really well, I do worry as I know what it is like to be as you are now. Last year I had a hysterectomy and when I came out of hospital I was told that I had to do nothing for at least 12 weeks. My hubby could only have 3 off work and so for the rest my eldest was with me. Now he was great dont get me wrong but of course I wanted to do things myself and it made me ill.
• United States
5 Jul 08
My oldest is only 11 and he is no help at all! We went shopping on Thursday and the babies were getting cranky, so I sent my husband to the car and kept the oldest with me to load the groceries. Well I ended up sending him off as well because he just would not lift a finger. My husband had to come back in and finish it up for me. I am trying to take it easy. Actually I think I will go back to lounging on the sofa until hubby gets home, which should only be a bit over an hour now.
@GreenMoo (11833)
6 Jul 08
I hope that you've consulted a medic about your pains? They're the only ones who will be able to tell you whether they're something to worry about of not. I wonder though whether they are trapped wind in the incision? I know this is something that can often be a problem after abdominal surgery, and is something that will pass naturally. No idea whether that applies to gall bladder surgery though I'm afraid. When I had my last surgery, I ignored pains because I wanted to leave hospital and go back to work. I ended up back in hospital and back in surgery as an emergency as it was an infection from the original surgery that had built up between my ribs Please, don't get it get to that stage before you seek advice!
@GreenMoo (11833)
6 Jul 08
Glad to hear that you're feeling a bit better today. fingers crossed that it was gas pains then and that they'll not come back.
• United States
6 Jul 08
It could be gas in the abdomen still, they told me they did put gas in there, and that it would take a few days for it to disappear. It could also just be the natural healing process. I am feeling better today, so maybe I was just overdoing it yesterday because my husband wasn't around. So far today only the incisions hurt, and I am putting antibiotic ointment on them to help them heal and keep away infections.
1 person likes this
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
5 Jul 08
I had my gall bladder out 8 years ago. I like you had a few what seemed like gall bladder attacks afterwards. I would not worry about it too much unless it continues. I talked to my doctor about mine and he said the they were some kind of spasm or something like that. Mine went away shortly after.
• United States
5 Jul 08
Thanks, that makes me feel a little better.