Gallbladder surgery

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2005
Gallbladder surgery
9
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 8:42am
Well, I finally got my gallbaldder removed yesterday, 2/8/07. The surgeon said it was more inflamed than he thought, it took two hours to get it out. I felt ok last night, more so than today. Is it normal to be in so much pain and to be so swollen? I am on percs, but they are not really helping. I guess with any surgery you have tons of pain, I did not think it would be like this though!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 6:34pm

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What you are describing is about normal. Was your surgery open or lap?


Are you taking the pain med on a regular schedule, or waiting until the pain is unbearable? Let me know because I do have a few helpful tips, depending on the type of surgery done.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2005
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 10:23pm
Thanks for your reply. I am taking my pain meds as scheduled, and trying to move as much as possible. I actually got back from the ER not too long , the docs said I had Acute Urinary Retention, which they see in about 3 women every 2 year or so. Usually its associated with older men with prostate problems. Basically the anesthesia shut down everything in my body, but I should be better within the next 24 hours. Anyway, pain is bad, but I know I will be ok soon. Hopefully this will be the last of my problems for awhile! Thanks again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 10:54pm

How awful, but I am relieved to hear that you've been seen and are hopefully going to feel better very soon.


One thing that helped me with many abdominal surgeries was to hold a small pillow firmly over the incision site(s). That really does help to support the area and is much less painful when you are moving around, or if you should need to cough or sneeze.


I'm sure I don't need to remind you to rest as much as possible and allow yourself to be taken care of! Please keep us updated, but not too often...you need to concentrate on recovering.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2003
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 5:46pm
Ny Dad is going in for GB surgery as soon as he has the stones taken out of the bile duct. I am wishing you well. Feel better soon.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2005
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 8:09pm
Thank you, I hope your dad does well too. It is very rough, even with lapro. Get him stool softeners and prune juice as soon as he is able. I have still not gone, and am in pain. It has been since Thurs though.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-19-2003
Sun, 02-11-2007 - 8:00am
Yes Dad will be 74 today and has been having attacks for about 6 months in all. Then they finally found out what was wrong. They took out 12 stones out of the bile duct last week and the week before that they took out alot. He has one stuck the size of a marble. So today we are having angel food cake and fat free ice cream for his birthday and they have started him on low fat to fat free diet.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sun, 02-11-2007 - 5:55pm

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Welcome to our board and please extend birthday wishes to your Dad!


Angel food cake and fat free ice cream is STILL better than nothing at all and I hope your Dad is able to enjoy his celebration. When is he scheduled for surgery, or is his doctor trying to remove more stones first?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2005
Mon, 02-12-2007 - 9:48pm
Hi Everyone, I am back again. Had the surgery 2/8, its the 12th now and I have a horrible pain in the center of my chest, by my breastbone. I have to walk doubled over, and have had a lowgrade fever with vomiting sometimes as well. The pain is unbearable, even more so than the gallbladder attacks. I had a bm two times since the surgery, so I dont think its a bowel obstruction, but not so sure. Also, am really watching what I am eating. Motrin wont help the pain, and even the percocets make it just alittle tolerable, but still there. Has anyone else dealt with this or have any advice? I have a followup with the surgeon on Thurs, I know he is going to say its from the surgery itself, but I feel something else is wrong. Thanks, and have a good night!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Tue, 02-13-2007 - 10:46am

I am so sorry that you are still feeling so poorly! Here is some information that you might find helpful. If not, let me know and I'll keep searching for more possible causes for your pain.


http://digestive.health.ivillage.com/digestivesignssymptoms/abdominalpain.cfm


Don't allow the doctor to dismiss your pain as 'just' post-op and normal, not if you are this uncomfortable. If you feel that it is warranted, get yourself to the ER and make sure to mention who did the surgery. The ER doc can confer and you might get some answers and relief faster.

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