Can anyone tell me how does one figure out what are normal pains after surgery ? I read bruising and mild swelling of the incision & mild stomach pains- but it also said to watch out for swelling of the abdomen or increased abdomial pain- how do I figure out what one I have ? I tolerate pain pretty well I think- but what I feel is awful scale 1-10 pains about a 8 and I am taking pain pills every 3 hrs- I feel like someone has punched my insides out- and my stomach looks huge- any advise ?? thank you http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

You didn't say but you probably had Laproscopic gallbladder surgery.
If you did then what the procedure is to inflate you with a gas like carbon dioxide and when they finish the surgeon lets it all out. Sometimes they don't get it all out and it turns to an acid (carbolic) in your abdomen after you go home and it's very irritating to your sensitive insides.

My son had this problem and he was in alot of pain after his surgery. So, I made sure my surgeon that had done 700 gallbladder removals(he said) knew about my concern. I told him of my son's problem and the surgeon said he would make sure that I would not have that problem.

My son said it took 4 or 5 days for his system to absorb the acid and the pain go away. My son was very angry and ready to fight with the surgeon.

After that, his was a normal recovery.
I only took Tylenol for pain twice daily that really was not that bad.

If you have any problems that you think is not right---please CAll your Doctor!!!

God Bless---Harry

PS Sorry you're in so much pain NOW.

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 07-05-2003).]

Thanks Harry for your reply, any information does help - I did have the scope surgery, just wondering what to think of the top incision, it's red and puffy, doesn't look like the other 3, they all look good. I found that gas pain- some nasty stuff- will be glad when I'm back to "normal" again
thanks again & I hope your doing well too !

Hi there. Red/puffy incision sites can be pretty common after surgery. If the site is oozing pus or blood or the redness spreads beyond the site, or if you're running a fever, then you need to see your doctor. If you have any questions/concerns about your surgical sites call your doctor for advice.

Good luck,
Katie G

The abdominal pains should also be pretty much gone within a week. Just don't push yourself too fast or do too much - your body has been through a lot. Use this time to have someone else do the cooking, laundry, and housework, and you just worry about taking care of you.

Thanks again for any replies, I don't know what to think now.. the other nite I was in so much pain, the next day I saw the surgeon I wasn't suppose to see him until next week- but the pain was unbearable ! said some medical term I don't remember what, (said that was one of the complications that can occur during surgery ) he suggested I have a shot- I had that done I think it was haparin ?? I'm not sure though - he just said it would numb the area and last for 12 hrs. I'm not even sure what he did as I didn't want to watch what he was doing-but the nurse asked him if he wanted/needed a larger sryinge-and I know he had at least 4 differant ones he used... he said there would be a couple jagged edges and a few pokes- he told me if the pain was bad to come back and have that done again- it wasn't but a few hrs and I had a fever of 101' -- I can feel the top area that was cut there is a lump- feels hard- VERY PAINFUL !! then the one below that is a smaller lump and also painful- he told me to rest and apply heat.. I thought everyday I should be getting better and I'm not- everything I had read said don't stay in bed, I'm totally confused- I just know when I lay down to rest/sleep it's so painful!!!! I don't get much than a couple hrs sleep all nite, the pain is too much.. I don't feel much pain when I am sitting- when I'm walking if feels like it's being pulled - I am taking pain pills, but times they don't seem to work much either.. what's going on inside ? when will this all go away ? I wanted to go back to work soon, but the way I'm feeling now-- I can't... any advise pleaseeeeeee
thank you !!!
I had the cholecystectomy laparoscopic surgery done on July 2nd

[This message has been edited by countrygal59 (edited 07-10-2003).]

[This message has been edited by countrygal59 (edited 07-10-2003).]

You shouldn't be in that much pain after all this time. If you had a fever, sounds like an infection going on.

Call your doctor and tell him you are in excruciating pain and need help. There is no reason you should be feeling that bad.

I'll be thinking of you; let us know how it goes.

Thank you Diane http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
I have been only running a low grade temp since I've been home- just the one time after I got the shots my temp turned up to 101'- after that I called the clinic and told them about that- they told me to take Tylenol and then switch to IB's.. I told the surgeon I have NEVER been in this much pain before- I was in tears, he just said to come back and get the shots again if the pain was bad again. Those shots are no picnic either - getting needles stuck in the area that I already have the pain.. my fiancee' says I should go to another clinic and get another opinion - I have been at the same clinic for 44 yrs, can't see going someplace else when they don't know my history.
I don't know what to do now- it's about bedtime, and I'd rather sit here and not sleep than try and lay down and have that pain - I don't understand - why it hurts so much when I lay down, but ok when I am sitting ?? I think it's gonna be another long nite...

I know you don't want to go to another clinic, but for your own peace of mind, I think you really should seek out another doctor's opinion or advice. It is not normal to be running a temperature or to be in that much pain this long and any good doctor will tell you the same thing.

When I had my gallbladder removed, I felt like I got hit by a truck but knew that kind of pain already having had a c-section prior to it. I was feeling fine by four days later and even cooked Easter dinner.

Not sure why it hurts you when you lay down, though. I know after being inactive, like sitting for awhile, it's a bit painful upon standing, but the kind of pain you are experiencing seems way more than it should be.

Hope you get some answers soon, and keep us posted.

Hi Countrygal,
My illnesses are not at all similar to what you've described, but after reading what you're going through I wanted to let you know I'm praying for you. Pain like that is unbearable and scary (I've dealt with intense migraines that have made me nearly delirious.)So best of luck and my thoughts are with you.

------------------
gillian

thanks for your reply and everyone's ! I seen the surgeon yesterday- said things are going well.. that's his opinion- I'm still in alot of pain- I didn't take any pain pills for 3 days- now yesterday and today I have again, the pain is sharp under my rib cage- also, been having pain in my leg- makes me wonder now what - blood clots starting ? I'm active as I can be- never been one to sit- I have taken it easy- just know this doesn't seem right- if I am not feeling better tommorow- off I go to see a dr- hopefully with some answers as to why I still have as much pain as I do-
I have had a migraine once, few months ago- I know how awful & painful that can be- ended up in the ER with blood pressure so high- thought I was going into shock, they gave me morphine for the pain relief- I hope your better too !
take care & thanks for your message

I went and seen my regular dr today, I don't think he was too impressed with what the surgeon did to me as far as numbing the area where I hurt so bad ! He said he thought I either have a muscle that was damaged during surgery- maybe brusied ? or have a abcess ? inside - he said I need to see the surgeon - again this next week- said if I couldn't get in to see him- see any surgeon at our clinic, I couldn't get in to see the one that did my surgery ( that's a blessing - I think ? ) I go in and see someone else on Tues. I'm still not sure why my dr wanted me to see a surgeon though ? I was told by my dr to go home- stay in bed and rest- with heat - said not to do anything else for the week-end. I told him, I don't understand - I had talked to someone else that had this done and she was fine in a few days- he said sometimes it's not good to talk to other people, then you expect the same results- he said if someone asks me about having it done- will scare them and maybe not have it done when it really needs to be... well, I just know the pain I had before surgery was a picnic compaired to the pain I have had since surgery !! My dr did give me other pain med's- alot stronger, and other ones to make the swelling - inflamation go down. I hope no one else ever has to go though the pain that I have had with this.
thanks for listening - off to bed I go again

Thanks for the update---- Sorry for all your problems but it's certainly not normal.
Keep us posted!!!

God Bless---Harry

Hi all,
Just seen the other surgeon today, said I was doing as well as to be expected, said there had to have been some muscle that was injured during the surgery, said the pills I'm taking to reduce the swelling and imflamation is helping, said it might be another 3 weeks before I really feel well again. I'm not in pain like I have been, thank heavens !!! so I think I'm on the road to recovery now, I do think laying down with the heating pad helped "alot"... I hope everyone is doing well, and thank you all for your replies- my best to you all !! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

It sure is sorta impossible to get a Doctor to admit that a mistake was made.

So sorry that your recovery is a real pain.

God Bless---Harry

Hi, do you think that the surgeron
damaged a nerve during surgery?
that's what happend to me from having
g/b surgery, and it's been 8 months now
since i have had my surgery and i'm in
still 24/7 chronic pain! :-(
I have to take pain pills every day since
my surgery, and some doctor's have told
me that nerve damage is hard to treat,
it's like finding a needle in a haystack
they have said, so i'm hoping that either
the nerve that's damage (or nerves) will
heal themselves or else i'm screwed! :-(
I guess it's a small percentage that people
who have g/b surgery end up having nerve
damaged, and yep it had to be me! :-(
I'm hoping and praying that the pain that
your experiencing isn't from nerve damage,and
that your pain subsides soon.
I know how it feels like, your thinking that all
your pain will go away and you will feel better once you have your g/b taken out and then you end up
with more pain. IT's just not fair!!
well who says that life's fair right? :-(
hope you feel better soon! Kim

Hi Kim,
I know what you mean, having this done to relieve pain and end up with more than you started with ! They aren't really saying what the problem is-the 1st time I seen the surgeon he said sometimes when we make a "mistake" then quickly refraised that to sometimes nerves- muscles are cut into we just don't know where they are all at...hopefully come Monday they will know more, I'm having a ultrasound test done, something still doesn't feel right- more pains- just isn't right, we should be feeling wonderful !!
I pray you find the help to get relief too !
keep me posted- thanks for your reply- take care- Debbie

Hi Kim,
I know I thought about going to Mayo, and getting tests done on the gb surgery, as apparently something has gone "wrong"- we maybe only a few cases this happens too, but it has happened- I told my fiancee' today, the only way I may get my voice heard is by telling them, I can't and won't live with the pain that I am having- it's not right ! I feel like everyday that goes by I have more swelling/bloating- pains in the oddest places, I'll see what the ultrasound test results are sometime this week, I was told to check in with a general surgeon after I have the test done on Monday, so I'll go from there-- not sure what I want to hear at this point- if they do find something- what then ? more surgery ?? if they don't find anything- live with the pains ? think we are in the rare cases of gb sugery, most that I have heard and talked to say they feel better in a few days.. I'm waiting for that day that I can say that !!
take care- keep me posted on your condition- Debbie

Hi again all- I went to the clinic today- I had the ultrasound test done, when she was finished I asked her if she saw anything- she said she wasn't able to read the results- hmmm, same lady I had before and she told me that I had the stones- she asked who did the surgery, I told her- she said she was looking at the pile duct- said after surgery they should have put some dye in and that would have shown if there was any stones in there- she asked when I see the surgeon again- I told her as soon as I got done with her I was to make a appt.. I went and did that- I asked to see another surgeron, not the one that did the surgery- they said that was my choice and they understood, they went in the back room, didn't say why- came back and told me I needed to go to the lab- so I went and got blood taken out.. I keep asking myself- "why" ??? what's going on ?? I see the surgeon tommorow - another long nite worrying and wondering- what's going on- why do I still have pain- more so than I had when I had my gallballder- any advise ? thanks for listening

Hi CountryGal --

By now you have probably seen the second surgeon and hopefully have clarification of what's going on. Please keep us posted as we are concerned and interested in your progress.

Do you have copies of all the various test results you've had done throughout this adventure? Do you have any ultrasound films that actually show the stones that were in the GB? You are, by law, entitled to these items and should get your hands on every test result if you don't already have them all. I'm keeping my own file so I can go to any doctor I want, anywhere I want about this gallbladder business and not have to repeat tests.

Just from your pain description I'd guess you still have a stone lodged somewhere, which is fairly common, but I'm no doctor. Except on this and other Boards, I have not heard of lots of people with problems after gallbladder surgery, either by laparoscopy or the old fashioned "open" style with the long incision.

Believe me, since suffering pain episodes, digestive complaints and recent discovery of gallstones, I have researched this stuff to death and ask people everywhere I go if they or anyone they know has had this surgery.

It makes sense that the post-GB surgery happy campers are not posting on these medical Boards, but fully 10% of people with GB removal have problems so that's a BIG number. I wish the medical community would be more forthcoming about this in advance and not leave it to us, the patients, to find out for ourselves what can and does happen so often.

Best wishes to you -- and let us know what's happening!

Hi all
thanks Carol for your message http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
I just got back from seeing the surgeon- this is what the ultrasound showed, something wrong with the liver- he said it could be ? a blood clot ? a cyst ? isn't sure- so I need to have a ct scan done on Monday- I do have a copy of both test results to compair- this one says in the left lobe is a region of hypoechogencity measuring 33.9x37.8mm, reasonably smoothly boarded being quite distinct from the surrounding hepatic tissue. This was not present on the previous exam and has developed in the interval possibly suggesting localized hematoma/abscess or recent infarct. In any event would recommend a CT exam for further evaluation.
He did also say if this turns up to be ok, and I still have pain he would recommend me having a ERCP test done, thank heavens for insurance !! Heard that test is spendy too-
so back to the drawing board-- hope to feel better soon, am getting married the 23rd of August.. really don't have time to be feeling this way - dang it anyhoo..lol
thanks all for listening and your replies- it really does help- "alot" !!!
thanks all & take care
Debbie
I did tell him I felt better before surgey- so I would like to have that back---don't I wish !!!

I just want to say that I'm still thinking of you and hope everything turns out okay. You're right about the insurance; it's amazing how many tests these docs put you through, not to mention the cost. Anyways, best wishes on your upcoming wedding and I hope you get some answers and feel better soon!

Hi
here's the update- the cat scan results- they say I have 2 cysts on my liver now..they want me to go and have the scope test down the throat to see if the one muscle isn't opening like it should.. enough is enough, I'll learn to live with the pain.
I don't know why I keep getting cysts ? I had them when I was younger, one cut out of my mouth, I still have one under my chin, had that for 30 yrs, when I had a hysterectomy 4 yrs ago- he left my left ovary- with in 6 months I still wasn't feeling "right" he said I had a cyst fill up with blood and had burst opened, at the time he was going to do the scope surgery & he tried- but once he got inside he said there was too much so he cut me back open again- when I woke up he said he was worried - said there was so much he though it was going to be cancerous, thank the God Lord it wasn't ! So with that thought, will this happen to me again if they don't remove the cysts now ? anyone have any advise ??
thanks for listening-- again.. please take care
Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I don't know anything about your situation, but I have to say you are so close to Mayo you really should think about a second opinion there. Invest a week and head over to Rochester. They are extremely thorough and very organized. If anything, it might give you peace of mind that you're doing all you can. When I came back to Albuquerque after my Mayo trip, I needed some more questions answered, so I e-mailed my doctor there and he responded within hours with an e-mail that he wanted to chat on the phone. He called me the next day. He spent more non-billable time on the phone with me than the time I'm paying for when I go to the doctor's here.

Hi Debbie,

I was wondering how your recovery is coming --- We haven't heard from in a while???

God Bless---Harry