Post gallbladder op

Wolfsbayne

The removal of the gall bladder is still a very big operation in terms of recovery, etc although it can now be conducted in less than an hour (open or keyhole). In fact, when I was working in recovery it was probably the worst procedure for patients to recover from particularly in terms of pain control.

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal and it will take you quite some time to completely recover. Take things easy. Alternating pain killers helps (so Ibuprofen, then codeine, then ibuprofen, etc) rather than sticking to just one kind and dont be afraid to ring the hospital or nhs direct for advice.

1Foxylady

Wolfsbayne wrote: »

The removal of the gall bladder is still a very big operation in terms of recovery, etc although it can now be conducted in less than an hour (open or keyhole). In fact, when I was working in recovery it was probably the worst procedure for patients to recover from particularly in terms of pain control.

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal and it will take you quite some time to completely recover. Take things easy. Alternating pain killers helps (so Ibuprofen, then codeine, then ibuprofen, etc) rather than sticking to just one kind and dont be afraid to ring the hospital or nhs direct for advice.

I've not taken any painkillers, oh except 2 paracetamol for a headache I had the other day. I worry that if I take some for my pain in my side and the pain disappears temporarily then I'll think I am ok and may strain myself because I don't feel any pain.

Last night I had an uncomfortable sleep, everytime I shifted position it would hurt me _pale_

ka7e

Didn't the hospital send you home with suitable painkillers? I had my appendix removed 15/11 and was sent home (after 4 days) with at least 10 days worth of codeine and paracetamol. I did wean myself off them quite quickly, only taking 1 codeine before bed so I could sleep relatively comfortably. Stitches out at 9 days and the op site was still very bruised and sore. My appendix wasn't in the "normal" position, so my scar is somewhere between where a normal appendectomy incision is made,and a gall bladder one - just below waist level.

I think if you restrict your movement in case any action is painful, you actually prolong the recovery process. I can walk and move pretty much normally after 25 days, but still find picking things up from the floor uncomfortable. I've only started to be able to empty the dishwasher and washing machine in the past week, ditto putting on socks!

Don't underestimate the effects of internal bruising, the gas used to fill the abdominal cavity and the residual effects of general anaesthesia. They all combine to make the first few weeks pretty uncomfortable and I'd recommend you take your prescribed pain medications to ease you through them.

1Foxylady

I slept better last night which is one good thing :-)
I was told to take nurofen and paracetamol for pain relief, the hospital didn't give me any because it was cheaper to buy it at the local supermarket than be invoiced for it by the hospital.
I am just going to take it easy and hopefully by the time I go back to work in jan I will be a lot better and hopefully the pain will have gone or at least eased.

sillyvixen

i am sorry the hospital did not send you home with any suitable pain relief, but i can believe it, it happened to me! i had an open choly (should have been lap day surgery but was converted due to complications) 5 days later i was dischaged on a saturday (from a small cottage unit that had no weekend pharmacy) i could not be given any pain relief to take with me as pharmacy was closed - i should have stayed when i realised they gave me a dose of oromorph for the 30 min journey back to my mums. it was a bank holiday weekend and i could not get a prescription untill the tuesday, my dr was horrified i had been discharged if they could not provide adequet pain relief to get me through the weekend.