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Original poster

Gall bladder surgery

36 replies

grumpygallbladder · 04/10/2024 21:13

Hi, I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. I am in so much pain. I came home from hospital today and I have codeine, tramadol and morphine but I can't lie or sit comfortably and the pain doesn't ever go to a level that seems ok.It was key hole and my belly button is so painful. I would love to hear that this pain will end soon and some positive stories!

OP posts:
motherhoodmcrollercoaster · 04/10/2024 21:33

Could be gas pains - get peppermint oil capsules / peppermint tea / cordial and a wheatbag or hot water bottle to cuddle. I had my GB out in May and remember the first 72hrs being hellish. Rest up OP and if you're still in pain not controlled by your meds give the ward a call ✨

Chocolateporridge · 04/10/2024 21:37

I had a lot of pain too but it's basically inflammation in the area of surgery. If it's still bad in a day or two you should get it checked out.

Piggywaspushed · 04/10/2024 22:03

I had this recently, too . There's a thread in health.

Mt worst thing was nausea. Gas pain wasn't so bad. Don't push yourself. Rest in a comfy sofa or chair. Take ALL the meds!

Original poster
grumpygallbladder · 05/10/2024 03:41

Thank you for responding. I know I just need to give it time but I am so sore! I have been taking all the medications but they just don't help. I keep telling myself tomorrow will be easier and the next day easier than that. Also I haven't got gall bladder pain!

OP posts:
youwillneverknowme · 05/10/2024 03:51

Oh no. I'm waiting to get mine out and I'm so scared to go under and the aftermath of it too 🙈

AuntieMarys · 05/10/2024 04:19

First 2 days post op were awful...pain and nausea. But it got better!!!

Thekormachameleon · 05/10/2024 04:26

I'm not sure that level of pain is normal, definitely contact your consultant or gp

I had mine out a few years ago and managed fine with paracetamol and was mucking stables out albeit carefully 3 days later

DoAWheelie · 05/10/2024 04:35

Mine was really bad the first night but very quickly got better. I went through almost a gram of oxycodone in the first 24 hours. Hopefully you are through the worst of it soon. By day 4 I was down to paracetamol.

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2024 05:53

Thekormachameleon · 05/10/2024 04:26

I'm not sure that level of pain is normal, definitely contact your consultant or gp

I had mine out a few years ago and managed fine with paracetamol and was mucking stables out albeit carefully 3 days later

Honestly, your level of non pain is the thing that's not normal! It's great for you but most people are given two weeks off work as absolute standard which indicates no stable mucking out for some time. I was told not to lift anything heavy for 4 - 6 weeks and not to drive for about a week.

OP , you will get there. I had a relapse after a week because I git awful stomach pains from constipation followed by diarrhoea so watch out for that.

If I recall , wound pain wise, I turned a corner at about 5- 6 days. I am 2 weeks past now and so much better . Still some tenderness and have to support stomach with small travel pillow at night because I roll over a lot. I'm still shopping online to avoid lifting heavy bags and pushing a trolley.

Destiny123 · 05/10/2024 05:56

You don't mention paracetamol or antiinflammatories. If you can take ibuprofen it often works better than opiates. Alternate them every 4h

make sure you're on laxatives taking that much opiates

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2024 05:59

Yes, I thought those were hard core drugs for UK (assume UK). I had paracetamol , separate codeine and Naproxen. Codeine for first three days or so , Naproxen for a couple more and basically full dose of paracetamol. Still got constipated though. But not unusual for me.

Rocknrollstar · 05/10/2024 06:37

youwillneverknowme · 05/10/2024 03:51

Oh no. I'm waiting to get mine out and I'm so scared to go under and the aftermath of it too 🙈

Just want to say, I had mine removed and went home the same day and had no pain at all.

DoAWheelie · 05/10/2024 07:50

youwillneverknowme · 05/10/2024 03:51

Oh no. I'm waiting to get mine out and I'm so scared to go under and the aftermath of it too 🙈

The pain of the surgery is nowhere near as bad as one of the attacks, so you've already done the hard part.

I have mostly good memories of the week after my surgery as I felt so much better despite the pain and was able to eat nice things again.

cherrytree12345 · 05/10/2024 07:55

My adult DD had hers removed and I went to care for her as her DH couldn't get time off work. We walked (slowly) to the shops the next day. She was told there was a lot of scar tissue from repeated infections which they had cut through. A little uncomfortable but nothing major. It is common to get referred pain in the shoulder apparently but she didn't get this.

Piggywaspushed · 05/10/2024 07:58

OP, I recall your previous thread about your horrific gallbladder attacks. Try to focus your mind on those and how glad you must be to have removed that awful stone and nasty gallbladder.

junebirthdaygirl · 05/10/2024 08:02

My worst pain was in the shoulder due to trapped air but once l understood that l wasn't too bad. Had two weeks off work and l needed that. Just take it very easy. Do nothing strenuous as you have stitches and stick to diet they recommend for first few weeks. It will come right.

Original poster
grumpygallbladder · 06/10/2024 00:18

I am feeling marginally better today. The 3 'keyholes' along the top are tender but it's my belly button one that is really sore. I am still taking all the pain meds although they don't really help. I am already enjoying not having gall bladder pain though. I had an attack that lasted 2 and a half weeks which lead to the surgery so that is a definite plus! I haven't had a bowel movement yet though so that's all to look forward to 🙄

OP posts:
Piggywaspushed · 06/10/2024 06:56

Were you given any laxatives? I wasn't and took Sennakot after abut a week. Bad mistake. You need gentler laxatives and take them now!

The belly button was most painful for me and remains so - the other three are now fine (bit itchy and one has left an actual hole!). The belly button is where the gallbladder comes out so I guess it would be the worst pain site.

Original poster
grumpygallbladder · 06/10/2024 12:46

I gave some laxido. I will give that a go. Thanks

OP posts:
TurquoiseDreamCatcher · 11/02/2025 17:27

I hope I won't get into trouble for resurrecting this thread.

I had my gall bladder out on Thursday evening. Today, is the first day I ventured out the house to the local shop. I now just feel so drained. I'm due back at work in 2 weeks and I am hoping I will be feeling more energetic by then.

Can anyone offer their experiences as a reassurance?

Piggywaspushed · 11/02/2025 17:30

Hi, you are not in trouble!

It took more time than I thought it would to regain energy. I was back full time at work after 2 1/2 weeks but felt pretty drained for a good 6 weeks. I have only just stopped guarding my stomach everywhere I go, too.

TurquoiseDreamCatcher · 11/02/2025 18:54

Piggywaspushed · 11/02/2025 17:30

Hi, you are not in trouble!

It took more time than I thought it would to regain energy. I was back full time at work after 2 1/2 weeks but felt pretty drained for a good 6 weeks. I have only just stopped guarding my stomach everywhere I go, too.

Thank you @Piggywaspushed - I was wondering if I was being too dramatic or something.

I'm also scared of eating now too. The hospital have said to eat a low fat diet for 2 weeks but now I'm scared to add things back into my diet. I'm fed up of feeling ill.

I had the mother of all attacks 2 weeks before my surgery which is why I ended up having the surgery in the first place. I couldn't keep water down and I turned yellow and spent nearly a week in hospital. I'm guessing the lethargy could be down to being out of action for nearly a month.

Piggywaspushed · 11/02/2025 18:57

Oh poor you! I have a scan tomorrow, mainly to humour me,I think. Since it was booked, I have actually improved, digestion wise but am still rather overly cautious and self restricting. It's definitely psychological. The memory of a terrible gallbladder episode is pretty traumatising.

BigSilly · 11/02/2025 19:06

I had mine out years ago. I felt a bit woozy from the general anaesthetic the next day but no pain.
It doesn't sound right op

MrsFaustus · 11/02/2025 19:12

i had my gallbladder out last month. I was in pain the first night but only needed paracetamol even though id been given Oramorph to go home with. After a couple of days was pottering around and feeling pretty normal but tired. However the navel wound got redder and redder and it turned out to be infected. Antibiotics sorted it quickly and within a week was driving and felt fine. Have felt fine since, no eating or digestive issues.