After removal, I'm having trouble going to bathroom, I've taken prescription stool softeners, I stay nauseated, bloated, I hurt in my back where my kidneys are. My legs hurt so bad last night I had to double up on pain meds. Im not taking any pain pain meds during the day because I know they can cause constipation. I get up and walk around but start feeling so bad I have to rest. I feel the best when I wake up in the morning and Dred getting out of the bed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks
Hi I had my GB removed two weeks tomorrow. My back in kidney area and ribs still hurts. I am trying to drink lots of water and start getting active again. Rest up lots five days isn't long enough recovery ... It be a long road ahead .. My back and side hurts still though will go back docs over next few weeks if not eased up
Take care x
Well it's still early days for you yet. Maybe you're expecting too much at this stage? I presume you've had laparoscopic cholecystectomy? It's still surgery. People write it off as 'it's only keyhole surgery' and their expectations are too high. You've still had an organ removed and your body needs to get used to not having a gallbladder. This takes time. Nausea and bloating are common after cholecystectomy as well as before, but they will subside in time. This was discussed recently on this forum and the consensus was that it takes longer than the surgeons tell you to recover.
Firstly - constipation. You feel horrible when this happens. Avoid codeine and morphine based painkillers. Paracetamol is safer. If you have to take them, take a laxative such as Lactulose at the same time. Eat branflakes, dried apricots, prunes, oranges and any other foods you think might move your bowels.
Stick to smaller meals and eat a low fat diet for a few weeks. Avoid alcohol and spicy foods as you're still healing internally even though the external incisions are starting to heal.
Do not try to do without painkillers during the day. They were prescribed for a reason and that reason was to help you through the early post surgical period. Doubling up on analgesics when the pain gets bad doesn't work and it's risky. You should be taking meds as prescribed and in that way pain shouldn't reach the point of desperation.
You are doing the right thing trying to keep on the move as this disperses the anaesthetics and the CO2 gas, however you do need to rest too. Don't do anything involving lifting: no vacuuming, no lifting shopping bags or washing baskets, don't even push a supermarket trolley.
If you're still feeling bad after two to three weeks, speak to your GP. I hope you feel better soon.