This is a very old question that I want to answer for those who will be searching for it in the future. My answer is in regards to the pain more immediately after their cholecystectomy, that may or may not also apply to what occurs a week or 2 out from surgery.
I had my gallbladder removed just today and was discharged in severe pain, which, ethically, I feel should have been more controlled before discharge.
After 100+ kidney stones requiring 7 surgeries, thus far, I have never before been discharged without the medical team insisting (even if I want to leave) I stay until getting on top of the pain so it may be more easily controlled on my own at home. Today, the anesthesiologist told me there was no more he could do and rushed me out 30 min post op, despite still being in tears from the pain.
The IV pain med (dilaudid) I received settled the average surgery pain and, had that been all, I would’ve been discharge-ready. However, I was (and still somewhat am) in severe pain under my right ribcage. It hurt to breathe even the most shallow breaths, intensifying the deeper the breath.
It resulted in me hyperventilating (while on the phone, being forced to seek help with my primary care physician’s nurses) and having an extremely difficult time coming out of it. Despite sobbing, I could not blow my nose or simply clear my throat, I didn’t have the strength. It still really hurts to do these things (5.5 hrs post discharge). It felt like the worst gas pain imaginable ×10.
Carbon Dioxide gets stuck in the abdomen after laparoscopic abdominal surgery and is usually worse in the first 24-48 hrs, but it can persist longer. This can sometimes cause extreme bloating and a feeling of pressure in the abdomen, or, sometimes, pain in the right shoulder. These symptoms are usually experienced by all to some degree.
Although I was unsure the pain I was feeling was actually gas (which, in my experience, was felt directly behind the right ribcage and lower chest… while the surgical pain is in the center of the epigastrium), I sent my husband for gas pills… and it really helped.
I am still experiencing severe bloating and gas pains in the entire upper abdomen and chest, but it brought the excruciating rib area pain down to the same level as everywhere else. Still incredibly uncomfortable, but not entirely unbearable. I can breathe more easily.
Obviously, I can’t recommend the gas pills since I’m not a doctor, but I am incredibly glad I had the idea. They also recommend walking (if only I could stand up straight), eating small, frequent meals, and more that I am unfamiliar with.
In my vast experience with surgery, I know the doctor had the ability to do more than he did… with both pain medication, his time, and the gas. I am disheartened by the lack of compassion and will not put myself under the care of that anesthesiologist again.
If I can, I will update the situation after time progresses.