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Emergency Gall Bladder Removal - hurt more if you're bigger?

jinkies54

First, sorry if this oat exists somewhere, I'm in too much pain to search. On Tuesday I suffered the mother of gallstone attacks and had emergency surgery. I was released in 12 hours before I could pass gas or move really. The pain so much more intense than anything I was led to believe. I am thinking it mightt be due to my size (I have a belly, 240 pounds). Due to size they had to make four incisions not three. I feel horrible. More horrible wondering why this surgery is advertised as a quick and easy recovery (like better in 24 hours). Do any other people (larger) who have had it, have any encouraging healing stories about how it took them longer but were successful in the end?

Replies

TavistockToad

First, sorry if this oat exists somewhere, I'm in too much pain to search. On Tuesday I suffered the mother of gallstone attacks and had emergency surgery. I was released in 12 hours before I could pass gas or move really. The pain so much more intense than anything I was led to believe. I am thinking it mightt be due to my size (I have a belly, 240 pounds). Due to size they had to make four incisions not three. I feel horrible. More horrible wondering why this surgery is advertised as a quick and easy recovery (like better in 24 hours). Do any other people (larger) who have had it, have any encouraging healing stories about how it took them longer but were successful in the end?

these are probably questions for your doctor?

jinkies54

He was so quick. Said I'd be fine in a day.

bonnymom

You should call the doctor, especially if he said you would be fine in one day.

My sister had her gallbladder removed (300lbs) and it took her one or two weeks to be up and moving proper.
My mom had her gallbladder removed (260lbs) and she was fine in less than a week and she had diabetes and heart disease.

It depends on the person.

TavistockToad

He was so quick. Said I'd be fine in a day.

you're not fine in a day, so go back to him.

Jruzer

I had a similar situation. They held me in the hospital for a second day for an unrelated issue (which turned out to be nothing). I was on painkillers for several days, and missed more or less a week from work. I was probably about the same weight you are. A day seems wildly optimistic to me.

rubisliprz

I was about your size when mine came out. I was in the hospital overnight and off work 2 weeks. I was moving around pretty good at one week, but still napping each day. Treat yourself kindly, and let your body heal. Best wishes.

Buff2022

I am sure they did not tell you this.

Get a small pillow or stuffed animal. When you walk, ride in a car hold that against your tummy. The less moving of you tummy the less it hurts.

I was told that when I had a C-section. I used that method when I had my gallbladder out and my hysterectomy. Yes you still have pain but not as bad.

I was your size when I had mine taken out.

Good Luck and NO LIFTING for a few weeks. Nothing more than a gallon of milk.

I too was off work for 2 weeks. Sleep an try an get up and walk a bit. Walking will get those bowels moving. If you don't poop in another day or so. Call the doctor. It is important that you poop.

If they pumped all that gas in you..it will come out when you walk. So walk and fart away.

Pensworth

I had four incision sites as well. They did say laproscopic surgery would mean a quicker recovery, but I don't recall anyone telling me I'd be up and walking around after only one day of recovery. Although after the surgery when I was hopped up on painkillers, apparently I told my family I'd be doing cartwheels in no time...

It took at least one to two weeks for the pain to really go away. I could get on my feet after a couple days, but it was extremely taxing and uncomfortable. Part of that is due to the gas they pump into you during the surgery, I gather. That takes a little while to work itself out. If you are concerned about the intensity or duration of your pain, I would recommend getting in contact with your surgeon or primary.

jinkies54

Thanks everyone. It is post-op day 2 now and things are much better. The pain and recency of the procedure likely led me to confuse some things.

1) I had two different surgeons, the one who did it was awesome, the one who discharge me (he was being covered by the first one), was not awesome. He came in the room for a minute at most, looked at the incisions, said good to go home, diet as tolerated, pat dry after shower, and that was it.

2) All of things I was reading online about the timeline for post-op recovery all had such short time estimations, like people could be up and about in a few days (maybe slowly) but still back on a routine.

So my apologies for now clearing that up. I just feel like being bigger has made this a different experience than for someone who would have no belly muffin at all (I had to hold my belly while getting up or moving the first day to make it tolerable). Of course it's different for everyone. I'm glad to hear that two weeks seems to be a common experience. That's what my work just gave me today to help. But now that it's out, I guess I just need to learn what to eat and what not to eat.

histora

Something you might want to clear up when talking to people about your gallbladder removal is the type of surgery you had. I gathered from your later posts you had a lap chole, which is wildly better at recovery than the other surgery, which is open abdominal - HUGE surgery, that one.

Glad to read you are feeling better today. I had a lap chole, four incisions, and I was heavier then, as well as breastfeeding a six month old. My doc (an awesome guy!) told me to rest three days after, do mid-level work for a week, and then ease back into the usual routine as needed.

I ended up staying overnight because of the severity of my gallbladder infection, but recovered quickly and didn't have much lingering pain.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this to you, but you may need to watch what you eat, oil/fat-wise, after having your GB out. Many people end up with gas pains, bloating, and diarrhea after eating greasy or really rich foods.

Good luck!

Chieflrg

I think it really depends on the person. I had a surgery where there was an 12" incision and they emptied out all my organs/intestines as well as a smaller incision 3-4" to make a stoma. Withing 4-5 hours of surgery, I was walking faster than the nurses and ready to go home, never had any pain killers. Everybody reacts differently...

malou1985

When i had mine removed i had 3 incisions by my ribs and one threw my belly button. And the surgeon told me to take 2 weeks off, but i took one. I actually felt better 2 days later. But the pain meds hurt my tummy, once i switched to good ole fasioned ibu i was fine in about 2 days

DivaJadelyn

There might also be a stone still lodged in your bile duct. I had MASSIVE pain after my surgery and they did an ERCP to check for stones. Sadly, this ended in me getting pancreatitis and I was in the hospital for month with that. All liquid diet, pick line, whole nine yards for a MONTH. The upside, I lost about 30-40 pounds.

Azchange

I was 270ish at 16 years old when I had mine removed. I was fine in a couple of days. If it is that serious go back to the dr, shouldn't hurt that much.

Mine basically hurt like I did hundreds of sit ups the day before when I tried to move.