Hi I had my gallbladder taken out four and a half weeks ago, was given no information on what to expect in terms of recovery but told I could go back to work in three weeks. I’ve had a good recovery so far with very few problems but am now getting sharp pains directly between my belly button and upper incision. My GP doesn’t seem too concerned and says there are layers of tissue that need to heal but I can’t stop worrying that I’ve done damage by overdoing things because I felt really good in general. Has anyone else had these symptoms?
Hi Derek: i had my gallbladder removed in February of 2017. i was told to rest up and not to do anything heavy or strainueous for 6 weeks. You will get cramps , it is from the gas they used to blow up you abdomen the surgeon can see what he doing. The cramps are from your system returning back to normal. Also be careful with the acidy and greasey foods for awhile too. Cause you will get the poops very quickly because your liver has to take over the function of the gallbladder and if you get acid reflux, try a cup of peppermint tea or tea. it usually helps me. But everyone is different. Just try to take it easy for the 6 weeks . if you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask. take care.
hi Derek:. Just keep an eye on that incision about belly button. I could not wear jeans or anything on my lower abdomen for about a month to 6 weeks until there was no more pain. Try wearing a lose pair of pants and see if that may help. good luck
thanks for the replies, the pain comes and goes and doesn’t seem to be a serious issue, just healing a hope. I have been feeling really good but over the weekend bloated up causing lots of pain and also developed a sore rash on my lower left side. GP said its internal bruising as the surgeon won’t have been gentle with me when I was under! I think I was lulled into a false sense of security and did too much too soon, unfortunately I have a lot of anxiety around my health now as I lived in constant pain for three years with what I now know was chronic cholecystitis but couldn’t get anyone to listen until I ended up in a and e on a number of occasions.
hi. I had my GB removed laproscopically aug 2018 and post op at abt the same time as you had the same pain just above the incision to my umbilicus. to me it felt like internal bruising which I think it was. as your dr says theres tissue layers that they inflate to get to the gb and this in itself must cause bruising. I doubt you’ve done anything out the ordinary as I hadn’t. it took a few weeks to settle but it did. just be kind to your body you’ve had major gut surgery.
best wishes.
thanks for your kind replies, the pain hasn’t recurred so I guess it is just healing. like I said I now have a major health anxiety disorder due to three years of chronic pain and nausea. I seem to have been labelled early on by the medical profession as a hypochondriac even though this was my first major health issue in 55 years! even when they knew I had a chronically inflamed and probably infected gallbladder I wasn’t told for two and a half months during which time I had to take time off work due to the pain. the whole experience has changed me from a happy and confident person to a nervous wreck unfortunately.