I’m now almost 7 weeks post-op and feeling a lot better than I did before surgery. Nausea has completely gone and have only had an upset stomach a few times since but think that was related to antibiotics for a wound infection.
I’m still getting some pain under my ribs on the right hand side. Is this a normal thing to still be happening? Have spent the day in bed as felt like I was coming down with something. This is what I felt like before most gallbladder attacks though. Could easily sleep for 13 hours straight then the next 3-4 days would have fevers and stomach and back pains.
I was warned before the surgery that removing the gallbladder doesn’t always take away all of the pain. Really hoping that I’m not in that group of people! Has anyone else felt like this at this stage of recovery?
Yes I'm post op 5weeks. No more nausea but pain is there still. Not as bad before the surgery. I figure we are still healing and we should expect some discomfort. We will be good. Hang in there.
I'm 3 months post op. I get this phantom weird feeling a few days a week under my right boob. It's tender and feels like something is moving. It's so bizarre!
im 24 days post opp I do get some pain under right rib area the same pain I used to get when a so called bikers colic attract was about to start but not as intense , but I'm assuming as fernando has said that it's just part of the healing . Hope so anyway.
and if not ,for me it's a small price to pay for life .
As you know I had open surgery in February followed by further open surgery through the same incision in March. Seven months on, although I’m so much better than I was pre op, I still get days where my lower right rib area is very tender and feels distended. Felt really sore yesterday but woke up today and only slightly tender!?? I can identify with the overwhelming tiredness too. Surgeon told me it could take a year or more to feel completely recovered but HB nurse says tiredness cannot be still connected to surgery. Thinking of getting GP appointment for blood test as I’m wide awake one minute, then find myself snoozing the next. Don’t even know I’ve been asleep until I wake. I’ve had flu jabs for years (asthma) but this year I reacted for the first time and was laid low for 24 hours, even running a temperature!! Also had some issues with constipation. As someone said, it’s a small price to pay for life! Bless you.
Haha I’m used to one of my friends messages on the iPhone so pretty good at deciphering now lol. Yeah the pain has been in exactly the same place and came on not long after eating too so didn’t know if I maybe should give that food a miss now. You’re spot on that it’s a small price to pay!! Feel so much better now it’s gone xx
Definitely don’t think they give you enough information about the side effects or how long things take to heal or for you to feel back to your normal self. I ended up going to my GP a week after surgery to ask loads of questions about what is normal. Luckily she is brilliant and was glad I went to her for advice.
Yeah think you should go see your GP. It’s hopefully something that’s easily fixed and they can help with. How did you get on with your recent scan? xx
Hi Scottie, its still very early days for you as it does take the body a long time to heal internally.
When I had mine the pain underneath the ribs continued and got alot worse, I'm now 7 months post op but I've got abdominal nerve entrapment probably caused by the surgery and have under gone one session of nerve block but awaiting to see my consultant for another session.
Yours maybe nothing but if it gets worse as mine did then go back to your doctor.
I know I moan a lot about NHS but I’m very grateful for the surgery I’ve had. Just don’t think patients should have to wait until their illness develops into something even worse that can be life threatening. My heart bleeds for some of the people who post here.
Exactly!! I’m very thankful I work in the NHS actually. The surgeon I saw as an inpatient sent me for the HIDA scan and got it done within about 10 days. Then he was back on after 5 days of me being an inpatient the second time. He asked if I’d been back at work since the last admission and I said no. He fit me into his list the next day! My GP knows I’m not there unless I’m really not well as always try everything else first before going to see her as a last resort. Just feel a lot of the surgeons don’t understand how painful gallbladder pain can be and how much it stops you doing. I spoke to a nurse that had her gallbladder removed and she said until she had the pain she didn’t realise. Now anyone she cares for with biliary colic or gallbladder pain gets offered all the pain relief possible! xx
The next time I’m at the GP I’ll mention it. It’s only in the past week I’ve not actually had any fevers! Had a wound infection for a few weeks and it’s just started to finally scab over in the past week. Thought the GP was going to send me back up to hospital! Thankfully she just gave me high strength antibiotics.
I’m not sure if it was related to something fatty I’d eaten so will continue to be careful with what I eat. I hope your next session of nerve blocks helps!! xx
I used to work in NHS before I retired- in a non clinical roll. My son in law is a consultant and my daughter is a trained paediatric nurse, so I know how hard they both work and how dedicated the staff are, however the government needs to support these staff members and fund the NHS properly. Think most people would be happy to pay 1p extra in the pound on their tax to ensure they get good treatment when they need it. Don’t know why the government won’t commit to this?
Having said that don’t think even son in law and daughter realise what I’ve been through and how much pain and worry I’ve had, though both have supported me throughout. I’m lucky in this. Other patients have nobody to turn to when they are concerned over something and it’s virtually impossible to get GP appointments at short notice when these things crop up. Currently there’s a three week wait at my surgery for non urgent appointments. I do feel we get chucked out of hospital too quickly and without adequate medical support. You are so lucky with your GP! We never see the same one again as they’re all locums!!
I do the same as your daughter 👍🏼. I feel like we have better staffing than any of the adult wards I’ve ever been on, either as a student or as a patient. One of my friends was in another ward nearby when I was last in and I went along to visit. I ended up helping an elderly lady out of her bed and to the toilet and back because she was at risk of having a fall. We had buzzed for a nurse/healthcare assistant but they were all busy. This government wants it all privatised though, which is such a shame as the NHS was the best thing to have ever been introduced! I do agree that people would rather pay extra too, as I know I would!
Luckily I’m in Scotland and at the practice I’m at it’s been the same doctors for a lot of years. They do have some locums at times and also have doctors doing their registrar training there too. And have same day appointments available as well as being able to book some about 4 weeks in advance. Very very lucky!! xx
Sorry to hear you still have pain, is it sharp pain or just really dull?
I had my gallbladder removed a month ago and recently started having attacks similar to what I had before, but this time the pain would remain in the mid upper abdomen before it goes away. Could it be that maybe you are passing stones stuck in the bile duct or maybe you have one there?
It’s a mixture of both tbh. Suppose it is possible there’s a stone there. Was at GP again today as my wound has opened up again and had lots of pus underneath it. I asked her how long it takes for pain to go away but she’s not worried, says it’s probably just still healing. Having watched what they actually do in the surgery I’m not surprised it hurts. Hope you’re feeling better soon too xx
I am almost 2 weeks post op and I am experiencing bad pain under my ribs when I eat and I don't eat much at all. I eat healthy for the most part, but since surgery have been avoiding dairy and anything high fat content. I had a dr. app't yesterday and was told "everyone is different" when I asked when will I feel normal. I was also told I could eat anything I want. I am frustrated. I need some words of encouragement or some advice as to how long I should give it before I call my GP.