After Lap Cholecystectomy - Gall Bladder Removal - Gallbladder Message Board

Greenoctopus18 · 10-13-2008, 05:25 AM

Hello - I had my gall bladder removed last Thursday, so 4 days ago and I am still so bloated and huge. My belly button is still 'out'. I used to be thin and relatively flat stomach, but now it is very round and uncomfortable. Is this normal and just gas that will eventually absorb or something?
Also, I haven't had a bowel movement since Thursday morning. I haven't needed to. Is this normal?
I think I will ring the surgeon and ask tomorrow as I have also had a few 'chills'.
Also, where would they send my gall bladder and stones for analysis? I kind of wanted to see them.

Greenoctopus18 · 10-13-2008, 05:48 AM

Also, just wanted to say that I haven't felt well at all. Everyone was saying that this is 'just keyhole' surgey and to stop worrying and stressing about it, but it hasn't been too nice. I can only today sit up comfortably and lie down on my back. I don't think I am a whinger, either. It annoys me that people say those things because I don't complain too much, I don't think.. but it makes me feel like I can't say how it feels because they think I should just get over it...

I can't believe how fat I am. I am just worried that it will be permanent

AlanPi · 10-13-2008, 05:15 PM

Hi, I had cholecystectomy same day last Thursday 10/9. Like you, I felt it wasn't as much a breeze as I had expected from others.

The bloating is most likely caused by the either the CO2 gas they used to inflate the abdomen, or food in your intestines. I used to think I can tolerate pain very well, but the odd pain caused by the CO2 turning acidic in your body is much painful. I tried to walk as much as possible to get it off but still ended up taking some pain medicines the first 2~3 days.

On Friday night I wasn't taking the pain meds and I couldn't lie down. As soon as I tried it would hurt so much I would have shortness of breath and I have to roll backup and stand up to breath. Went to the ER as a precaution but after I took the Oxycontin I was able to sleep sitting up on the sofa.

You may have constipation caused by the trauma inside. As long as you are passing gas you are doing well. I had to use some Epsom salt + apple juice, and some plum juice to get #2 going on Saturday. On Sunday they started to work too well so I stopped. Today Monday I had some loose BM.

Today I also noticed a large bruise 2~3 inches across just below my naval. Called the Doc and he said as long as it's not "growing" it would be OK. My fingers have also felt extra numb every time I wake up from a sleep... could be the anesthesia still left in the lungs?

Just take it easy as much as you can and sleep as much as you can when you feel tired. Get off the pain meds if you can asap, so their side effects won't be affecting you and you can "communicate" with your own body better. Hope you feel better soon!

Greenoctopus18 · 10-14-2008, 12:05 AM

Thank you. Hope you are feeling better too.

I called my doctor and he said the bloating and everything is all just normal after the surgery and aneasthesia.

I have a huge bruise below my navel as well! I look so horrible, lol.

I stopped taking the painkillers on Saturday. I try to be tough. Perhaps I shouldn't try so hard

I am so, so itchy! I have raised red rash patches around all of my cuts.

Greenoctopus18 · 10-24-2008, 11:28 PM

HI, it has now been two weeks since my surgery and everything is ok, other than a fair bit of pain.. only when I lie on my right side or if I press my rib cage. It is pain in the same spot that led to me finding out I had gall stones. So now that I haven't got a gall bladder I am not sure why there is still pain in that area. It it fairly tender... like pressing a sore bruise. And it hurts when I stretch and move or lift my right arm up. Could it be from eating too much bad food? I did have some hot chips, which I hardly ever did and that seemd to make it a bit worse. I don't eat much fatty food, or anything really.
I have my followup appointment with the surgeon in 3 days, so I will see if it is ok by then, but just wondered whether anyone else knows. I guess it might still be healing on the insides? It looks ok from the outside now.

Thanks