Post gallbladder keyhole surgery.

[Pleasegohome]

Can’t get through to GP surgery.
Had gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery two weeks ago today and I still feel awful. Expected to feel ok by now. Alternate between feeling constipated and diarrhoea, taken Immodium.
4 incision sites — 2 seem to have been just glued and have healed ok. Bruising has faded in last 24-48 hours.
2 look as though they have stitches and maybe glue as well. Was told soluble stitches but they’re still there. Bits of black thread hard and itchy sticking out. Tried pulling one with tweezers but it started to bleed so left it.
Shower once or twice a day. No signs of infection.
How do I get rid of these stitches and glue?
Should I feel better by now or is this normal recovery for someone in their 60s? I’ve even begun to think I’d rather have lived with gallstones as I feel so awful.
Thanks for any advice.

Two weeks is nothing! I remember pulling out a tiny bit of black thread several years after my gall bladder (not keyhole) op!

Be careful with Imodium - it helps in the moment then you get a sort of rebound diarrhoea I have found.

I swear my recovery from Gallbladder surgery was worse than it was for my hysterectomy. It took ages to feel better. Sorry 😧

Stay off the Imodium it’s confusing your bowel. I wouldn’t fiddle around with the wounds you might interfere with healing. Try again later with the GP surgery, you might only need to see the nurse. Sorry you are feeling so rough, people think laparoscopic surgery means a nice easy recovery, I had laparoscopic hernia repair last Thursday, and wow the pain!

The glue and stitches will dissolve over time - 2 weeks is really early so leave well alone.

Was in my 50s for mine and took a good 2 weeks just for the effects of the anaesthetic to wear off. Was having to have naps during the day. Found bowel movements to be slightly looser than normal - not diarrhoea, just a bit looser and paler in colour. This is my new normal but it's fine. Avoid the Imodium.

It comes down to being patient with your body for it to find your new normal. It will happen honest

I must have been lucky as I had mine out at 63 after 1 attack and was fine after 3 days. I was sore but able to walk a couple of miles a day. I did react badly to the anaesthetic though.
Hope you feel better

I have had my gall bladder removed. I actually felt so much worse with it in, than when it was removed. It was removed by keyhole surgery, and I did feel a bit rough at times for up to 4-6 weeks after the operation. As long as the wounds are kept clean, and don’t seem infected you should be okay with time. Just get it checked out if you're worried. Maybe you could ask at the hospital/ward you were at too? Good luck with your recovery.

Hi, can you contact your surgeons secretary? Ring through to the switchboard at you hospital they can put you through or give you a number to call.
I've had surgery at the start of the year not gallbladder that was removed about 5 years ago, I was up and about the next day, walking dogs , housework etc, was fine apart from "gas pain" in shoulders.
I think I was advised to contact the surgeons secretary over my GP

Thank you so much for all your replies. I was beginning to think I was overreacting as I expected to feel ok after a week. Always the over optimist!!! I also had a comment from a friend that suggested I was “ milking it” and had had an op equivalent to having a tooth out. Now I know this is normal at 2 weeks I feel a lot better so thank you everyone.

Post gallbladder removal keyhole surgery

Had gallbladder removed on 22nd July, was getting better got my stitches red two of them on right side. Went to ED and the nurse trimmed the undissolved parts that were not dissolved yet and gave me antibiotic. I am wondering is this anybody experienced? And what will happen next? When i will feel recovered painfree completely as still feel pain. Please share your experience i am worrying about it.

I went to the GP who got one of the nurses to check the stitches. She explained that bits outside don’t always dissolve, they drop off when the inside part has dissolved. Mine were unusually tight and the knots were dug in where my flesh had swollen. She snipped them them off. I’m at post 4 weeks and my belly button is still sore but no sign of infection. I still had some bruising until a few days ago. It’s been a much longer recovery time than I anticipated. I think if you’re worried @Fffaz go back to your doctor.

I am in the same boat, exact same time.i have been to the nurse she had snipped the extras and had same issue of not dissolved. But cannot wait to feel free and normal happy.
i was wondering@Pleasegohome how are you feeling after the nurse snipped the knots? Have you started getting better? As its going to be month for me and need to go back to work.

@Fffaz 3 of the incisions are fine. The one by my sternum was just glued and that’s healed the best. My naval is still red and sore. No sign of infection but I’m limited on what I can wear. Fed up wearing joggers and old summer trousers which are elasticated waist. Still get tired. I really thought this was a very minor operation, 5-7 days and I’d feel fine. I’m really shocked it’s taken me this long to get this far and at times wish I’d not bothered having it done. I’m still off food, not a bad thing at least I’ve lost some weight but just wish I had more energy.
Are your incisions very dry? The nurse I saw mentioned using moisturiser, I’ve been using vitamin E oil but the only thing that soothes it is germolene.

@Pleasegohome i have the same condition. My one got infected but not that much still feeling pain the rightside one. Yes nurse told me to use petroleum jelly most often. It should recover now according to my knowledge as ot been a month. My c section wasn't that bad. It is taking more time to heal.how long it has been that the nurse snipped your stitches? Is it feel better afterwards? They were infected at that time when she snipped them?
you can still see your dissolved stitches? As mine one under the chest seems clear , only new white skin. Wonder is it the case with you as well with all of the stitches?

A week since the nurse snipped them. No sign of any infection and not had antibiotics. My only experience of dealing with stitches is in animals and I’d have rather had the old style removable ones, know where I am with them. It’s odd as I’ve never known a dog or cat’s stitches to take this long to heal.
I can’t see or feel any stitches now. I’ll buy some petroleum jelly and try that.

I am hoing you will be ok soon. You cannt see any stitches Still its not feeling better??or just tired as it will develop with time after surgery. But not any strenuous activities recommended yet. I am worrying about mine i can still see and wondering when i cannt see them feel better soon.

Hi
wondering how are you feeling. I m still mot feeling normal pain free .wjat anout you if you dont mind.

The diarrhoea is totally normal, it's just your body getting used to not having a gallbladder. Leave your incisions alone, as long as they aren't red or weeping, in a couple of weeks if your stitches haven't dissolved, get a clean pair of nail scissors & snip between the knot & your skin, they will simply slide out with a gentle pull.

All the incisions are ok now though the navel one is still a bit bumpy. It’s not sore now and I can wear jeans again. Apart from feeling more tired than usual I’m ok, no pain, digestion normal.
Sorry to hear you still have pain. I wonder if there’s more internal bruising than we realise? I’ve never had surgery before so had no idea what to expect.
I think all you can do is get your GP to check you over, see if they can identify anything specific.

Good to hear that you are pain free . I am happy for you.
i wonder when i am pressing with my hand i still feel wound it been my 6 weeks ended yesterday. What about yours how much week you are in after surgery to get idea when i will be normal are you still feel any thing when you were pressing at this week? . As still i can't do my right shoe laces nicely.

It’s only in the last few days I’ve thought I don’t feel bruised inside any more. I had my op the day before yours. The navel wound annoys me more than it’s painful. I still feel I have to be careful drying after a shower though I’m sure I can’t damage anything now. I can bed okay and eating seems to be ok. I’ve been absolutely craving butter — no idea why, I don’t usually. But eating>digestion> going to the loo all seems normal. I can eat anything tho I’m veggie, don’t know if that’d make a difference.
I’ve just prodded all my stomach and can’t feel any pain. Might be worth phoning your GP?

Thankyou so much , yes i am touching my naval it is feeling like something i can't explain. It is better to see gp let see.

I had the same surgery in my thirties and it hit me like a train, it was worse than post childbirth. Are you taking any prescribed painkillers? I took the dihydrocodeine they gave me for a few days until I realised it was that naming me feel awful. I was back to the gym in under a month but the first couple of weeks I recall being really bad, and I don't mean this rudely at all but I was almost thirty years younger than you are so would expect to heal/rebound quicker

@MyOtherCarisAVauxhallZafira tgabkyou for your response i am in my early tgirties too. Thats why i am wondering it been 6 weeks still feeling awkward cannot do my right shoe lace.cannot walk yet more tgan two hours got tired when going to malls etc

I would go back to your doctor tbh, did you have a follow up with your surgeon? I had one about six weeks post surgery to make sure I was healing as I should be. In terms of wounds I'm very lucky my 3 were tiny and the scars all but disappeared. I was fortunate to be referred to a private hospital by the NHS , my sil had the same surgery within a year of mine at an NHS hospital with a fairly poor reputation and she has five scars and they've completely botched her belly button, it's a really odd shape and there's a lump where her stitches/scar healed

No my surgeon write in nhs report that i donot need any followup appointment and they diacharged me in the same day.