Gallbladder Surgery

I woke up last Monday morning (12/8) at 4 am with really horrible abdominal pain.  Somehow I got dressed and drove to work.  Called and got a 9 am appt with my PCP who sent me for blood work and an ultrasound.  The ultrasound found what the technician referred to as a boulder trapped in the duct of my gallbladder, which he said would be going nowhere.  Went home and waited for my PCP's office to call, well I ended up seeing a surgeon at 4 pm and getting immediately admitted to the hospital.  My pain level was increasing steadily.  I was dehydrated because I couldn't even drink water all day without it coming up.  They had a problem starting an IV because of the dehydration - I still have big bruises where they tried multiple times to start the IV, finally a specialist from the ICU came down and started it.  Then they began giving me morphine, which barely touched the pain.  My surgery didn't happen until 4 pm on Tuesday (12/9) since I was an add on to the schedule.  At least the anesthesia doc gave me enough morphine that the last 3 hrs waiting  in post op were not as hideous and the previous 24 or so.

I had hoped that after surgery the pain would go away.  Well one pain did and the gas pain started.  It actually goes away for 2-3 hrs at a time and then no matter what I eat, back it comes.  Also, I have no appetite.   Before last Monday I didn't even know I had a gallstone problem, this has all be very sudden.

I go to see the surgeon Wed. to have staples removed and will talk with him about why I am having so much gas pain.

Any of you guys been down this road who can offer me any advise?  I would welcome it.

Shirley

highest weight: 366 lbs
surgery weight: 334 lbs
current weight:  204 lbs

Hi Shirley,

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time right now.  I have never been thru gall bladder surgery, but I have been told/heard that walking will help to get that gas moving out.

Hope you start feeling better really soon.  Sending good vibes your way!!

Happy Holidays

Caroline

I've not had surgery, but have has several attacks a while back. What an excruciating wait! I'm glad to hear that you are on the mend. Hopefully your current problem is just a bit of post-op gas.

Best wishes, Patty

Glad to hear it's gone and you'll never have this problem again!

I say walk, walk, walk! That's the only thing that helped me to get rid of the gas.

Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.  I am walking.  Unfortunately the snow & ice are keeping me inside, but I just keep making a big circle through the house (my cat thinks I've lost it).

Shirley

Hey Shirley,

I had my gb out a few years ago after passing several large stones and being sick for months (and yes excruciating is the only word) - I had no insurance so I dealt with it for much longer than I should have, until I developed pancreatitis.

The only reason I mention this is because for some months afterwards, even up to a few years after, I would have occassional phantom pain that felt just like the gallstone pain. Other people I know report similar things to a lesser or greater extent, so I just wanted to let you know that its normal. As for the gas pain, is that from the laparoscopic surgery or are you talking about intestinal gas. The ONLY things that have helped me with intestinal gas are gas-x strips and lots of hot tea. I get bad trapped gas now and again since the bypass.

I hope you feel better soon and are back to 100%. Just remember if the pain gets worse, see someone!