Post Laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder and umbilical hernia

Posted by libertyusa @libertyusa, Jul 18, 2019

Just had surgery 3 weeks ago. I am a healthy 70-year old female. I have felt fine throughout; however I have this tiny pain every day, but not all day. What I am imagining is that a staple inside the area is pricking the area. This is only a thought and I cannot quite describe it. When I press around the belly button it does not feel worse, but there is some hardness to the tissue. Could this be stitches healing? It is only in one spot. I called the nurse and she was quite dismissive saying: "you cannot call about every little thing; you are still healing; you should not play golf and a racquet sport (but the surgeon said I could - I have not played these sports yet but I do work out in the gym); I told her the surgeon said I had a little redness irritation around the navel but she said he did not put it in his notes !!" - Well, he is the one who brought it to my attention !? The concern is that this little "pin prick" feeling does not get better - it stays the same. The surgery report says I have Tycron stitches. I guess I should demand to see the surgeon or go for a second opinion or get an X-ray? (I have asked questions throughout, as that is my M.O.).

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Profile picture for linh @linh

I guess the treatment we seek depends on ones comfort level with different modalities. The last colonoscopy I had was performed when it was because of some (in hindsight) artifact on (prior) imaging. The Endoscopist saw nothing, so I'm inclined to skip the radiology suite in the future!

If I had the means I'd check out Europe too!

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Europe seems to be leaps and bounds ahead of us. Too bad I’m not rich. I’d fly over there and get it done asap. For now I’ll have to settle for the exercises and I am hopeful.

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Profile picture for sablegirl @sablegirl

I think Pam Fox said that you have to do those exercises every day. The belly breathing is hard but I’m getting more used to it. When I tried the rib rollover it hurt. So I lightened up because she said to go lightly. I’ve been doing it for 2 days now and today has been a much better day. I heard my stomach gurgling so I think it’s shifting. She said you will definitely know when it drops. Could take a week or 2 or longer but I’m going to keep doing it. This could be a game changer. Will keep you posted. Xxx

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Did you buy her course for $69 ?

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Profile picture for rozy288 @rozy288

Did you buy her course for $69 ?

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Yes. I have all ten of her exercises and she explains everything so well. I just keep watching it over and over and gleaning new info. Yesterday was my day off so I was doing some yard work. I know now that raking is a no-no when you have a hernia. Man, it was a rough day today. Sure hope tomorrow is better. Can’t take too many of these days. Super sad and depressed and constant pain. I know you understand Roxy.😭😭😭

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Profile picture for sablegirl @sablegirl

Yes. I have all ten of her exercises and she explains everything so well. I just keep watching it over and over and gleaning new info. Yesterday was my day off so I was doing some yard work. I know now that raking is a no-no when you have a hernia. Man, it was a rough day today. Sure hope tomorrow is better. Can’t take too many of these days. Super sad and depressed and constant pain. I know you understand Roxy.😭😭😭

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Oh I understand. I’m sick 🤢 every single day .
I hope you feel better soon .
It’s like 95 degrees last few days w/ feels like temps 102 by 3-4 pm and sunny most of day . So too brutal to go out in .
Even my dogs 🐶 just go in and out to pee in yard and come back to A/C real quick!
That’s FL in Spring/ Summer for ya . We have A/C on 10 months of year.
I’m glad the exercises are helping you .
Keep in touch , Rozy ( Rosemary)

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Profile picture for sablegirl @sablegirl

I've got the perfect storm. Is anyone suffering multiple issues? I am going through the change so dropping estrogen is making things pretty miserable, I have a bad gallbladder so I cannot eat any fat, I have gastritis so am on a strict diet so it can heal, and my hernia tore a larger hole when it slipped up through the opening after I stupidly drank a full glass of juice and then bent over for an hour weeding the garden. I am medicine/vitamins sensitive so I have opted to take Pepcid AC for the gerd but it does cause me to have anxiety and depression. I try to sit tall and straight but do slouch a little which forces the stomach up so easily and then the reflux comes on like crazy. I can't catch a break. Anyone have any suggestions of any kind? I will listen to all of your advice as I just do not trust the doctors. ER doc refused to listen to me and gave me a ppi which caused such a severe heart pain I immediately refused to take any more.

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I learned to do deep belly breathing during physical therapy for
Pelvic floor and bladder and bowel strength. It does seem counter intuitive. I kept at it and I breath like that all of the time. It is very natural to me now. Babies breathe like that until they learn different. I just got a hernia. Is there a connection to IBS orDIBO ?

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Profile picture for brubakerd @brubakerd

I learned to do deep belly breathing during physical therapy for
Pelvic floor and bladder and bowel strength. It does seem counter intuitive. I kept at it and I breath like that all of the time. It is very natural to me now. Babies breathe like that until they learn different. I just got a hernia. Is there a connection to IBS orDIBO ?

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yes, i think i read somewhere that there is a connection to ibs / colitis/ and the like. I'm so sorry to hear this. I would not wish this on my worst enemy.

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Profile picture for rozy288 @rozy288

Oh I understand. I’m sick 🤢 every single day .
I hope you feel better soon .
It’s like 95 degrees last few days w/ feels like temps 102 by 3-4 pm and sunny most of day . So too brutal to go out in .
Even my dogs 🐶 just go in and out to pee in yard and come back to A/C real quick!
That’s FL in Spring/ Summer for ya . We have A/C on 10 months of year.
I’m glad the exercises are helping you .
Keep in touch , Rozy ( Rosemary)

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I can empathize with you Rozy. Ever since my hernia slid up weeks ago I have not had one day of rest. Severe pain. Today is a really, really bad day. There's no sense in going to emergency and sit there for 12 hours when they do NOTHING. Just send me home and say all things check out okay.
I don't think i would like Florida. That's too hot for me. I like sweater weather. We have had a few days in a row of 47 degrees and my dog does not like it either. The exercises are not helping today. Not sure what to do anymore. I'm trying to think positive but my mind has been going to a very dark place all day. God I hope I do not do anything stupid but I'm just racked with pain. I'm so down.

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Profile picture for sablegirl @sablegirl

I can empathize with you Rozy. Ever since my hernia slid up weeks ago I have not had one day of rest. Severe pain. Today is a really, really bad day. There's no sense in going to emergency and sit there for 12 hours when they do NOTHING. Just send me home and say all things check out okay.
I don't think i would like Florida. That's too hot for me. I like sweater weather. We have had a few days in a row of 47 degrees and my dog does not like it either. The exercises are not helping today. Not sure what to do anymore. I'm trying to think positive but my mind has been going to a very dark place all day. God I hope I do not do anything stupid but I'm just racked with pain. I'm so down.

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I understand completely.
Oh Lord !!! Please help US !!!
Just trying to hang by a string .
Plus now all this with the tooth stuff last two weeks !! Aching day and night . Living on Motrin . See the Root canal specialist Monday ! My guts such a mess , my anxiety is terrible. My heart palps kicked up . Fatigue.
People just don’t understand.
I’m praying 🙏 for you friend.
We will be moving out of FL in 2.5 years after hubby retires . Even though last 5 years I’m only 2 hrs north of my kids . My first grandchild due in Jan ( my daughter)!!! Still I want to go back to partial seasons like we had in NC . I don’t blame you . Not Ohio though we my kids were raised . Too cloudy and cold and snowy .
Xo

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Profile picture for rozy288 @rozy288

I understand completely.
Oh Lord !!! Please help US !!!
Just trying to hang by a string .
Plus now all this with the tooth stuff last two weeks !! Aching day and night . Living on Motrin . See the Root canal specialist Monday ! My guts such a mess , my anxiety is terrible. My heart palps kicked up . Fatigue.
People just don’t understand.
I’m praying 🙏 for you friend.
We will be moving out of FL in 2.5 years after hubby retires . Even though last 5 years I’m only 2 hrs north of my kids . My first grandchild due in Jan ( my daughter)!!! Still I want to go back to partial seasons like we had in NC . I don’t blame you . Not Ohio though we my kids were raised . Too cloudy and cold and snowy .
Xo

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As if the stomach issues weren't enough, now you have problems with your tooth. I don't know how you manage. I really don't. You are a bad ass Rozy. I could never make it through like you have. I am praying for you too. God help us both. PLEASE.
Congratulations on becoming a grandmother. It's really a great thing. I love my 2 grandchildren. My son Chris raised them right and I'm proud of them. They are 15 and 18 already. Young men.
Our weather is all over the map here. Hot, hot days, rainy days and then cold days. In one week.
Rozy, have you tried charcoal tabs. You need to take them apart from other meds , 1 to 2 hours apart but they are really good for absorbing crap in your body. I've started taking them after I eat and it's been keeping the heartburn away. And if you can eat sweet potatoes , they help with heart palpations. Stay tough friend. I am so praying for you. Please Lord, please, bless Rozy and give her health back to her tenfold. PLEASE.

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Profile picture for sablegirl @sablegirl

I've got the perfect storm. Is anyone suffering multiple issues? I am going through the change so dropping estrogen is making things pretty miserable, I have a bad gallbladder so I cannot eat any fat, I have gastritis so am on a strict diet so it can heal, and my hernia tore a larger hole when it slipped up through the opening after I stupidly drank a full glass of juice and then bent over for an hour weeding the garden. I am medicine/vitamins sensitive so I have opted to take Pepcid AC for the gerd but it does cause me to have anxiety and depression. I try to sit tall and straight but do slouch a little which forces the stomach up so easily and then the reflux comes on like crazy. I can't catch a break. Anyone have any suggestions of any kind? I will listen to all of your advice as I just do not trust the doctors. ER doc refused to listen to me and gave me a ppi which caused such a severe heart pain I immediately refused to take any more.

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I feel so bad for you both, sablegirl and rozy288. I pray that you can get some help.
I’m 72, have had diarrhea issues for years though usually no pain. No one understands when you are having a bad day and can’t go anywhere, they think all you need to do is wear a diaper! Ha I wish.
Your experiences make me thankful for what I have, I can’t imagine having pain every day along with it. I had a bad day yesterday with gut pain, and it’s certainly debilitating.
I’m in Florida also, it’s too hot to even take a walk or use an outside pool. So lack of exercise doesn’t help.

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