I had my gallbladder removed Jan 26th so it’s been just over 2 weeks. I’m a hypochondriac so I’ve been really worried about infection and sepsis.
The 3 incisions on my abdomen area have scabbed over and really itch, everyone’s saying that means it’s healing. I’ve been worried about my belly button area though. That’s where he took my gallbladder out, which is probably where gallbladder’s are removed from everyone LOL.
But the area beneath my belly button was bright red after surgery, then started to bruise. It’s still red not as bright and it seems like my skin is peeling on that area too. The red area feels a little numb and sore but not excruciatingly sore. Hurts to press on it though and it feels hard beneath my skin. I can sleep on my stomach but still feel a little tender. The area is warm but the redness hasn’t spread and the pain hasn’t gotten worse. Definitely no where near as bad as the first few days after surgery.
I go for my follow up Monday but I’m one of those people who will go to the emergency room without hesitation.
Is all of this normal?? Again, I’m just freaking out about infection and possibly sepsis. No judging 🙈
Itching can be a sign that the wound is healing but it can also be a sign of infection. Post surgery wound infections are very common and those who have had laparoscopic surgery seem to complain most about the incision near the umbilicus like you. A sure sign of infection is body temperature. If it is normal, I would say the itching is just the wound knitting together. Also with infection , there is usually discharge. Yellow, green or slouchy discharge which smells bad is a sign of infection and you don’t mention any of this. Slight numbness on a surgical wound is normal. It all sounds pretty much normal, but when you go for your check up, tell them your concerns. They have seen and heard it all before.
My hubby had that op in Dec.2017. He is still having a lot of pain and nausea. Is that normal?
Hi, I feel for you because I am a hypochondriac too and I know how how stressful it can be to be worried all the time. I had my gallbladder removed on the 2/2/2018 so just over a week ago. I too have a hard lump under my incision but for me it the incision at the top (near breast area) . I have had no diarrhoea or nausea and can eat what ever I like but I am still worrying about gargling in tummy and excess wind and feeling like I’m hungry all the time! Still feeling a bit shaky but think that’s because my anxiety has gone through the roof. Going back to your concerns, I would make an appointment with your local doctor or nurse at your surgery and let the nurse/ doctor check it out so you could get some peace of mind.
It’s early days for you. Make sure you take it easy. Feeling shaky is often due to the effect of anaesthetic. The gurgling and wind will settle in time but it’s a good idea to take it easy with what you eat at first. Try to eat little and often and reintroduce foods slowly. The hard lump is probably scar tissue and that should also improve as the incision heals. Was it open surgery? It’s natural to feel some anxiety after surgery. Everyone’s recovery is different.
Is his pain as bad as before surgery or worse? I have tenderness and discomfort around ribs on the right twelve months on. Don’t think I’d describe it as pain. Also don’t think nausea is normal. There is post cholecystectomy syndrome where patients still suffer symptoms after surgery, but it’s rare. Often symptoms such as nausea are the result of another condition, so maybe he should go back to his doctor and get pain and nausea checked out? Omeprazole may help his nausea.
He is taking that.as well as mebervine. Still he has a lot of pain below belly button.
Hi beenthruit, thanks for your reply!
I went for my follow up today and I told him I was concerned about my belly button area. He said it did look a little red. He didn’t seem concerned though so hopefully that’s a good thing. But he did prescribe a week of cephalexin, 3x’s a day.
Not sure how it became infected, I never touch it and I wash it every day. I’ve felt kind of crappy but hopefully the medicine will help that.
Hi jbbell,
Sorry to hear your husband is still experiencing pain and nausea 
.
I have to say I have not felt much pain or nausea since the surgery. Very thankful for that but I feel for your husband. Just remembering that pain and discomfort...it’s horrible.
I hope you both are able to get some answers ASAP!!
Hi Alabama,
I hope you’re doing well!
The pain from the pumped air is TERRIBLE! Laying down was the worst and I felt it on the right side of chest and by my collar bone, geez it hurt. I hope you’ve found relief from it.
I went for my follow up today and the doctor did say my belly button incision is a little red. He prescribed cephalexin for a week and I take it 3x’s a day. I’ve felt kind of crappy lately but hopefully that will go away in the next few days. I go back in a week for another follow up.
Please keep me updated with how you’re feeling and getting along.
Surgical wound infections are fairly common. I had one and had to have 2 courses of antibiotics. Like you, I was very careful about keeping it clean, but I still got one. If it’s still bothering you after you finish the antibiotic, go to your GP and ask for a different antibiotic.
Do you remember what your first antibiotic was?
He mentioned that the belly button is the spot where most patients have issues.
I go back after I finish my week of the antibiotic. He said if I feel better I don’t have to go back but with how my mind works I’ll go back just for peace of mind.
Sorry can’t recall. Think it may have been flucloxacillan?? These days antibiotics are what is called ‘narrow spectrum’ meaning they combat specific infections, so sometimes don’t work if your infection is in a different category. Ideally, swabs should be taken to determine what sort of infection you have, but it takes time to get results, so they tend to start a common antibiotic immediately. You should see a change in 3-4 days. Just remember to finish the course completely. Even if you think it’s worked, I’d go back just to be certain. Most complaints are regarding the umbilical incision. If it’s any consolation, it’s a very common issue, so you’re not on your own.
It’s early days for him yet. We all recover at a different pace. Maybe persuade him to see his GP? If there’s a serious issue, he can be referred back to the surgeon. I know several people who’ve had laparoscopic cholecystectomy and none still have pain. If there’s any swelling, he may have developed a hernia, which is common after laparoscopy and this would cause pain. He needs to be examined.
The lump is bot scar tissue . Its likely the dissolvable stitches that were used to stitch you up