There's already a ton of threads about gallbladder surgery and problems, but I had mine removed yesterday and really have no idea what is normal to be feeling and what is not. I haven't been nauseous-no vomiting or anything, so that's good. My throat is very sore. I still have a low grade fever, and my blood pressure is still very low (stays around 98/45-the diastolic number is what concerns me). My stomach hurts badly, and not just around the incisions. At times it feels just like before I had surgery, and sometimes the pain is on the extreme left side of my abdomen. I have right-sided neck and shoulder pain, and still have an enlarged lymph node in the back left side of my neck. My right hip bone is tender and aches. The Vicadin (sp?) isn't really helping much anymore, but I'm still taking 2 every 4 hours. My stomach burns a little when I take deep breathes, and I'm extremely bloated.
I have a follow-up appt with my surgeon in 2 weeks. I didn't speak to her after my surgery, but supposedly all went really well and I was able to go home yesterday (they suggested I stay, but I just wanted to recuperate in my own home and at the time was feeling pretty good).
Does any of the above sound out of the ordinary? I expected to be sore after surgery, but I just want to be sure that I'm not ignoring any pain that could be potentially serious.
Thank you!!!!!

Gigi D,
Not sure how much this will help but... I just had my gallbladder out on Monday so I had some of the same concerns. The surgeon returned my call regarding the burning pain in my stomach and said it was not unusual. After that I decided I need to stay put and behave a lot of my pain has settled down. Maybe someone else has more info????
Hang in there....

.... also I have found a small empty plastic water or soda bottle filled with hot water can be soothing to the insides. You got to remember they had to move everything around in there to get to your gallbladder so it is normal to be sore.

Thanks, Crampster-I'll give the warm water bottle a try. How are you doing now? Are you starting to feel better?
I go through times of feeling pretty good to feeling downright crappy. This morning I felt a bit better-took my temp and it was down to around normal for me, in the 97 range. My stomach wasn't hurting too badly (I stopped taking the pain pills yesterday-I'm tired of sleeping all day). I took a nice warm bath, which felt great. I had more of an appetite, and didn't have that queasy feeling in my stomach. I'm still walking kind of doubled over, though, and my belly is still very bloated.
Tonight I ate a low fat dinner and shortly thereafter felt very sick. I made a dash for the bathroom, but so far have been able to keep from vomiting (I'm afraid that it will hurt horribly so I really don't want to throw up). My temp went back up to 99.6, which is just a low grade fever but still. I feel really crappy. It's not just that there's discomfort and pain in my abdominal area (which of course is to be expected after surgery), but I just feel sick. That's what I hate the most-pain I can handle, feeling sick just really sucks.
Hope you're coming along in your recovery, Crampster-hope it's speedy and as painless as possible!

Now my temp is at 100. Not high enough to call my doctor, but I feel so lousy. I sound like a hypochondriac, but before this year I hadn't been to a doctor in over 10 years. Now I'm constantly going, and just keep feeling worse. I feel worse now than I did before my surgery-hopefully that will change in a few more days, but I just feel so sick right now.
Guess I'll try and sleep some more (sigh) as there's nothing I can really do.

Gigi,
Sorry to hear you a running a fever again. It took me a while to get back to you I had a bad spell.. went off pain killers too soon and trying to protect my abdomen stepped strange and managed to pull my hamstring...

Just what I needed went back on pain meds so doing better now maybe tommorow. Now I have hot water bottles on both the tummy and the leg. I guess I better watch it eventually I will run out of hot water bottle lol. If you are going to eat make sure you don't eat a full meal. I found I had to statt out small with mini meals. I still don't eat a full mean. I think my stomach has shrunk.. not a bad thing mind you since I was trying to lose a couple anyway. Hang in there hope you are feeling better soon. Fortunately I work at a high school and don't have to go back to work until Aug 15th so I need everything to settle down by them. I am really sore at one of the incision sites maybe a little infection. See the doctor on monday guess I'll know then. Hope you are better tommorow.
crampster

Gigi D,
Also if you continue running fevers you really might need to think about calling the doc. I didn't run a fever... course then I don't remember the last time I did have a fever.
Crampster

GigiD,

I also had a low grade fever the day after surgery. If the fever persists, of course you need to call your doctor. However, it is really common to have a low grade fever after surgery. It has something to do with the lungs recovering from the anesthesia. Although it may be uncomfortable, it is really good to cough often to keep your lungs clear. There was a sign in my room which said that the 2 best things to do after surgery are to cough and to walk. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks to both of you for your replies.
Crampster, sorry to hear you had to go back on meds. Which incision is really bothering you? The one that bothers me the most is at my navel-it's about 2 1/2 inches long. Is yours a little swollen and bruised a yellowish/blue? Good luck at the doctor's on Monday-hope all goes well!
I'm going to try to go back to work on Monday. We'll see. I have yet to leave the house since my surgery on Tuesday-I think I'm getting cabin fever, lol!!!
As for the fever, it comes and goes. Right now it's back down. I had a temp of 100.5 the day of my surgery, too. I was surprised when the nurse told me that I was running a low fever, because I didn't feel warm and my temp is usually in the 97 range. I'll keep my eye on it.

Mornin Gigi D,
All of my incisions are a little swollen, however the one on the right side is more tender than the others. I guess it will vary on all of us. Off of pain meds again and will behave the rest of the weekend not do any bending etc... I have a lot to do before I return to work. Remember to eat small low fat meals to test the waters and see how your body reacts. I did a little research on other peoples reaction to gallbladder surgery and many were having issues with gaining weight because there was no longer an issues with the diet.. however, some that ate health gained anyway. So I guess the answer to walk, eat smart (small lower fat mini meals) and keep the hot water bottle handy if you get a little sore.
Hang in there hope things go well for you. As I am going off the pain meds again I guess I had better not try and do too much. I need to move around though I have been shopping online.. staying in bed resting is starting to get expensive ... lol.
crampster

Well, I left the house yesterday for the first time. I did pretty good. The car ride was soooo not fun-1 1/2 each way, but it helped a little holding the lap part of the seat belt away from my stomach.
I went to church this morning-it feels good to get out!!!! The only thing that really bothered me this morning was standing for so long while singing hymns and through the prayer. I've always been light-headed and faint easily, and this morning I felt like I was going to topple over at any moment. Fortunately that didn't happen (I'm too stubborn to actually sit down when I feel like that)!
All in all I feel loads better than I did a couple days ago. My stomach isn't as bloated (thank goodness! My stomach is nearly flat again!). I do have stomach spasms, though. They aren't necessarily painful but are uncomfortable. I'm continuing to drop weight, though, without trying in the least. My bowel movements are still totally out of whack, though I'm positive that has nothing at all to do with my gallbladder. Still having rectal bleeding with or without bowel movements, and sometimes have rectal pain. Sigh. I hope the gastro specialist I'll be seeing in Sept. can fix whatever is going on there. I can't wait for the day when I can be done with all this (my wallet can't either-yikes!).
Hope everyone else who has recently had gallbladder surgery is faring well :) .

Gigi D,
Glad to hear you are doing better. I am also hanging in there although I am not venturing out until Monday. Just taking my dog out for a short walk in the backyard has been enough for now. Need to be careful with what you eat.... I found that if there is any fat in the meal it may send me running almost immediately to the bathroom.
I go back to the doc for follow up on Monday.
Wish you luck in your recovery.
crampster

Crampster, did you have a vertical or horizontal incision at your navel? Mine is vertical. My sister had her gallbladder out several years ago and recovered quickly, and my family was making me feel a bit like I should have recovered just as quickly as she did until I found out that she had a horizontal incision and vertical ones supposedly take longer to recover from. That made me feels loads better, so now I can just :rolleyes: when they give me grief knowing that I am definitely not being a big baby about the whole thing! It hasn't even been a week yet since my surgery, and they already expect me to be back to normal.

Hope all goes well for you tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you-let me know how it goes.

Well, mine was vertical and I'm one of those who had no trouble post surgery.
I do want to say that I was in excellent shape prior to surgery (jog 3-4 times a week, gym 3 times). And I had upped my workouts for the month preceeding the surgery knowing I would need to be in really good shape. I jogged 2 miles a week after surgery. But I do know that not everyone is in as good a shape as I am and I have no other digestive issues. Hopefully you'll be up to par soon.

Well, mine was vertical and I'm one of those who had no trouble post surgery.
I do want to say that I was in excellent shape prior to surgery (jog 3-4 times a week, gym 3 times). And I had upped my workouts for the month preceeding the surgery knowing I would need to be in really good shape. I jogged 2 miles a week after surgery. But I do know that not everyone is in as good a shape as I am and I have no other digestive issues. Hopefully you'll be up to par soon.

Thanks, glad you recovered so well but I'm not exactly a couch potato either. I'm not in the shape that I was in during college, but I do still try to keep up by running on my treadmill and biking. I didn't exercise more before my surgery-I didn't expect recovery to take this long since my sister's didn't.

I did some researching re. vertical abdominal incisions and read that healing is slow and is "subjected to very considerable lateral pull and that consequently a prolonged post-operative period of bed rest is required". It also said something about cases of abdominal wall weakness or hernias as a result. I'm not sure why a vertical would be done then instead of the other incision, but I'm assuming the size of the gallstone and other problems must have been the reason.

Titchou, how is your scarring from it? I read that scarring is worse from vertical incisions. I'm sure it will still be minimal though.

Crampster, you've been right to rest and take it easy. I overdid yesterday, and am paying for it now. It felt so great to get out, and I had been feeling so much better that I just kept on going. I went to Lowe's after church, then came home and got busy on some projects around the house. Big mistake. My stomach has been burning and spasming a lot since late last night. So, I stayed home to rest in bed rather than try to go back to work today. Good luck at your doctor's appt!

My scar in that location is more noticeable than the other two. But then, I didn't use any vitamin E oil or anything on them at all. At 60, I don't really care that much and no one but myself and my bf are going to see them. Besides, I'm only 5'2 and 108 # so more noticeable on me might be not at all on someone else. It's less than an inch long also and the only place that had a stitch that had to be removed. The rest dissolved.

I'm surprised that none of the nurses explained to you the recovery process. Mine were really helpful. If you have a fever you need to call your surgeons office. The bloating lasted a week for me. They have to fill your stomach with gas for the procedure and that causes the pain in the shoulder area. Bloating can be due to the gas or constipation. Vicodin caused bad constipation for me and my loating lasted aboat a week. If you have concerns that weren't gone over with you you should call your doctor. It is a process to feeling better. It's been over two weeks for me and I am very tired still and sore. Lack of energy is a side effect fromt he anesthetia and can last up to 4 weeks after surgery. Hope you feel better soon!

Went for follow up today. Doc said I was doing good.... a couple more weeks before I will be totally back to normal. Take it slow and steady no lifting over 10 pounds.
He also said in spite of all the test being normal (ct, ultrasound, and 2 hida scan tests) my gallbladder was inflammed according to the pathology he got back. So we did good. I could have told him that ... only because the constant pain I had for the last 4 months or so was now gone.
My daughter and I ran some errands stopped and had a salad and by the time I got home I was exhaused. Changed into pj's and I will rest a bit before getting dinner ready unless my daughter decides to cook.
In regards to the gallbladder removal hope you are feeling better. I have been eating small meals which helps. In a week or so we are going to hit the gym. I'm not much of a runner but I love to walk briskly and use the weight machines. Hope this note finds you doing better. Hang in there and take it slow and steady.
crampster

Glad things went well for you, Crampster.
You aren't supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs? The nurses really didn't give me much instructions when I left, other than that I shouldn't drive while taking meds and that I would have a sore throat, and they gave me a sheet saying not to lift anything over 25 lbs. So I've been hauling around all kinds of stuff, so long as I didn't think it weighed 25 lbs. I think I've been doing too much, because I've been having all kinds of pains. I'm concerned because I still have pain right below my rib cage-just like before my surgery. It hasn't been unbearable, though, so I'll wait until my appt Tuesday to talk to my doctor about it.
I went in and worked a few hours this morning. Decided not to do much more than that, so I don't overdo.
Take it easy and keep me updated:) .

Well you know how it is... if you are thinking it is around 10 pounds it is more like 20... at least at my house. Really though I am trying to behave it is hard cause I have so much I want to get done. It will be hard when I go back to work. I do the audiovisual at a high school and am usually climbing, lifting tv's and the like so I will have to just get someone to lift what I can't.

I did push the vaccuum around... boy I sure am glad my parents got me a Oreck... they are nice and light. Hang in there and don't overdue... I did overdue a bit today and like you I have a little discomfort on the right side. I think later in the week the weight I am allowed to work with goes up to 25. I didn't get any stitches.... I don't know if the limitations is to make sure I don't mess up the doctor's handywork?

Let me know how it goes at the doc's and try and take it easy. One step forward at a time or 2 steps backwards...

Hi Everyone!

I posted on another thread but thought I would come onto this one as well. Crampster has been a huge help!! I overdid it yesterday (just by being up in my house). What I realize was that yesterday was only day 2 post surgery. Surgery was Monday at noon. Today,(Thursday) I feel like crud. I am a little more nauseaous and have had, I think, gas pains. They go from my midback to tops of shoulders to sides of ribs. They move around, but for awhile I was concerned because they felt similar to the pains I had in my upper back when I was having gallstone attacks. I think they are gas pains because they are moving to different locations.

Anyone else with this type of pain or day? I know I should have been more laid up yesterday like Crampster said (Promise to listen to you!!) but I felt so good with no anesthesia problems that I think I didn't lay down enough or rest enough. Laying down feels better than sitting up.

Hope you all are faring better! Please let me know how you did post surgery. Thanks!
pbjmom

Sorry to hear you are not doing well. The only thing you can do is rest unfortunately. If you start doing things too early you almost seem to relapse so just take it easy. I would call the docs office and let them know you are running a low grade fever off and on and see if they have any suggestions. I very seldom run fevers so a 100 degree fever would be a big deal for me. Are you having any chills? Hang in there and just rest ... you are right that is all you can do. Except when I got tired of sleeping I did start watching the QVC channel which ended up running my credit card up... but now I have some things for winter.
I'll check on you later. Try a heating pad or a small hot water bottle on your tummy it seemed to help me a lot.
Crampster

I have my follow-up appt. with my gallbladder surgeon today. I think I'm healing pretty well from surgery, but it's hard to tell because I have other issues as well. I felt like crap last week and went to a gastroenterologist. I think he's going to to do an abdominal ct next week.
Everyone who's recently had gallbladder surgery-take it easy and don't be in a hurry to resume your normal lifestyle! As soon as I started feeling a little better I overdid and wound up right back in bed, so it's best to recover slowly and don't worry about all the other stories you hear about others who bounced back right after their surgeries!!!

I can second that..... slow and easy will get you back on your feet faster. It is hard though....
Hang in there! Are you having any trouble eating?
crampster

My follow-up appt went well. My surgeon said that my gallbladder showed signs of chronic disease and definitely needed to come out, so I'm glad that I had it yanked. I see her again next month-she's so funny, it's like I'm some medical mystery or something because she can't wait for my next appt with her so she can hear any updates of my progress with my GI. I think all the area doctors must be running a pool or something on my diagnosis, lol!

LOL who knows you may be right. After all the tests I had done all negative... I'm glad they decided to take my gallbladder out. I have been going back and forth to doctors. since 2002.. HMO.... I finally changed my insurance and picked my own Doc... here I am a couple of weeks later and gallbladder gone. Surgeon said it was inflammed. I wonder if it was inflammed what happens next if you don't remove it. I was in pain almost all year because of the gallbladder.

Take it easy and don't overdue. I saw someone today said it took her 6 months to finally get back to normal.... ooooh my I'm not sure I can deal with that.... sure hope she was wrong.
Crampster

Worst case scenario, If it gets infected it can rupture and kill you. It happened to a friend's father.

Hey there.

I am having my gallbladder out next week Friday and I am pretty scared. I have lots of abdominal problems already and I really hope this will help at least some of it.

Do you guys have any advice before I go in? I have no gallstones, ultrasounds are normal but the hida scan showed very slow emptying. What kind of symptoms did you guys have with your gallbladder issues?

I really hope you guys have the speediest recovery out there. What kinds of foods will I be allowed to eat so that I can stock up?

Nancy

Soup, lowfat food for the first day or so. I was able to eat normal after the first day. Just eat small amounts at a time. I have reflux and IBS so I found that low fat was better for me... cause many foods would go right through me. For some reason if I eat pumpernikle bread with roast beef and provolone cheese it does not bother me. I have slowly been adding food to see what affects me. I have IBS w/D so I don't need anything to send me to the restroom. Since we are a little different you will probably have to do the same. I use miracle whip light instead of mayonase.... to make chicken salad with boneless chicken breast and I eat this on pumpernikle as well. I like an apple occasionally, watermelon... some of the others may have suggestions. Banannas seem to give many people problems... I don't know why haven't tried these.
The biggest problem after surgery is the abdomen is very tender either use a lightweight hotwater bottle or heating pad to soothe the tummy. You may not want to sit... but lay down and reclinen for a week or so. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. They fill the abdomen with gas to help do the surgery... so you end up crampy and gassy afterwards for about a week or so.
Anyone else have suggestions?
crampster