Post-gallbladder surgery pain -- YANMD

September 7, 2015 8:41 AM

I had the laproscopic gallbladder surgery on July 22 (everyone's experiences I read here prior were very helpful). I felt great and was off the prescription pain meds in five days, the OTC in ten. I went back to work--carefully--Aug 2 with the doctor's blessings and an admonition of no lifting over 20 pounds til Sept 2.

Last week I start getting sharp pains (that made me gasp when I moved) where the incisions were, and a sore back (like a strained muscle) just behind where the gallbladder used to be. The nurse said, "the pain you are experiencing is pain connected to the muscle incisions and nothing to worry about. It will get better over time." Really? Six or seven weeks after the surgery? So -- is this normal so late out (I know you are not my doctor), has anyone experienced this and, did it indeed go away?
Thanks.

posted by intrepid_simpleton to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

I would try to get an urgent appointment to see your surgeon to discuss these issues.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 9:02 AM on September 7, 2015 [4 favorites]

You should absolutely follow up with a doctor about this. I needed to see my surgeon because my incisions weren't healing very well, it was quick and reassuring, and I had a very smooth recovery. I totally didn't want to go back (my surgeon was a pompous ass!) but it was worth it to get the all clear. Your pain might be a normal post laparoscopic surgery occurrence (though I did not experience it), but even if it is, that doesn't mean you shouldn't talk to your doctor.

That nurse doesn't sound very thorough, to be honest.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 9:07 AM on September 7, 2015

If you get a fever, then hurry. You shouldn't have pain, at all.
posted by Oyéah at 9:11 AM on September 7, 2015

Have you done any exercise recently, not necessarily an extreme amount but slightly more than you have been since surgery? Because hematomas feel like this, and I incurred one at least a month, maybe six weeks after a laparoscopy just by going for a non-strenuous bike ride. They really do go away, but it hurt worse than the incisions did post-surgery.
posted by babelfish at 9:57 AM on September 7, 2015

Response by poster: Well, yes, I'm a very active person, and I walk to work everyday (only 2 blocks, but it saves so much wear and tear on the car), sometimes fast walking depending how much time I have, walking down the three-block-long hall to grab documents, plus walking at county fairs, outdoor concerts, and so on (I don't own a tv). ...Yikes! I wish I hadn't googled hematoma... Ok, I'm promising not to thread-sit this.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 10:35 AM on September 7, 2015

After my laparoscopic surgery, I had some weird "getting worse after it had gotten better" feelings. I was concerned, but didn't think it was worth bothering the doctor. My boyfriend convinced me to call and make an appointment. Everything turned out to be totally fine, but my surgeon told me at least three times at the appointment that I did the right thing, and if I had other concerns even later on I should absolutely come in again. Even absent the possibility that there could be something wrong (which there could), I felt SO MUCH BETTER emotionally after the appointment. It's much, much better to go to one doctor's appointment just to alleviate the stress of worry. Anxiety about healing does not help healing.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 10:36 AM on September 7, 2015 [1 favorite]

Go see your doctor. I had the same operation, and afterward I didn't experience any of the pain that you're describing. Better to have it checked by your doctor than to take a risk.
posted by jessian at 2:17 PM on September 7, 2015

I'd go to the surgeon. Better safe than sorry.

I will say that I had some random stabby pains in my right side, but they didn't seem as bad as what you're describing. It was under my rib (they do kinda remove your gallbladder by scraping off your liver) and by my incisions. I had a difficult time stretching my stomach out by the incisions for a few months (actually there's still a tight spot by my belly and I had mine out in January.)

But yeah, doesn't quite sound like what you're experiencing. They should check you out to be safe.
posted by Crystalinne at 5:22 PM on September 7, 2015

I had my gallbladder out in 2011 and the first two weeks were agony, but after that I don't believe I had any issues. I think pain beyond a month is something that needs closer investigation, especially pain in the back near the site itself. Maybe a stone still stuck in the duct? That is known to happen.
posted by turbid dahlia at 6:08 PM on September 7, 2015

A month or so after my surgery,which I felt fine after, I had pain in my abs like I'd done a million sit ups. Just like sit ups it only hurt when I moved. Well, there were gall stones that they missed slurping out during surgery and they were trapped in the areas where the surgery cannulae(sp?) were used. Slowly but surely I developed little lumps near my navel. The surgeon lanced them and in a few days the stones worked themselves out. Relieved it wasn't some weird infection and I had some stones to show my friends. Call the Dr. Better to be safe than sorry.
posted by PJMoore at 8:47 PM on September 7, 2015

If it is a hematoma, it's likely no big deal -- essentially a scary-sounding, extremely painful bruise. But I hope you got it checked out!
posted by babelfish at 5:11 PM on September 9, 2015

Response by poster: Update: I called and got an appointment for some kind of scan and an appointment to see the doc a week later ('cause he only sees patients one day a week -- he's in surgery the rest of the time). As if by miraculous intervention, the pain stopped completely a day or two later (after I made the call) and has not returned. So there you have it.
posted by intrepid_simpleton at 10:57 AM on September 20, 2015 [1 favorite]