1. < Digestive Health

Pain in old gallbladder surgery site

Posted by mikehow @mikehow, Jan 22, 2017

I had my gall bladder out 40 years ago, the old major abdominal surgery way, with an 8 inch scar and a 1 week hospital stay. I have had no problems for 40 years,but now, right along the scar line, I get occasional sharp pains, almost stabbing. It feels like it is right under the skin line. Could it be that the internal staples are shifting after all these years?

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lioness | @lioness | Jan 28, 2020
In reply to @ryanrayna1 "It has been 7 years since my gall bladder surgery. Right under one of the incisions..." + (show)
@ryanrayna1

It has been 7 years since my gall bladder surgery. Right under one of the incisions (lapriscopic) on my side I get horrible cramping when the muscle is strained in a certain position. When in a "crunch" position such as sitting on my office chair and having to bend down to pick up something that fell under my chair. Any kind of strain that would go beyond a regular situp for any sustained amount of time it feels like the muscles on that side, the closest muscle group name I could put a name to is the one in the title of this post, are twisting inside my body. The only relief I have once the flipping and twisting feeling has started (which is accompanied with extreme pain) is to straighten out as far as possible and stretch that muscle to the utmost, and even then, once the cramp has subsided, the muscle remains sore for days afterwards. I have spoken to my nurse practitioner (I am in the Canadian Military, we dont have regular doctors like they do in civi land. We dont have family doctors, we have nurses and then if you are deemed sick enough, you get to see a Medical Officer) about it and she thinks it is just scar tissue that attached to the muscle from the wall of the scar and there is nothing to do about it. I cant imagine living the rest of my life the way I have the last few years, terrified if I have to pick anything up, go to the bathroom, or have an orgasm (Yes, its happened then too, which adds yet another component of fear to it) that I'll be in crippling pain. Any help, or anyone who might be experiencing the same thing who might have some idea's would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for reading.

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@ryanrayna1 So sorry you are having pain every time you bend or twist . Im a retired nurse in the U.S. A. and the one thing I thought about was stones in the ducts Did you have all the ducts to the gallbladder removed is there anyway you can ask your surgeon? Next time you have to see the nurse there talk to her also about stones in the ducts. Just a suggestion that was the first thing I thought of since I was in the O.R.

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demonsleeve | @demonsleeve | Feb 1, 2020

I think my post closed before I finished. It's more wordy, sorry for 2nd post.
I'm 3 weeks post laproscopic gallbladder surgery.
Center back pain prior to surgery. First thought was muscles and bulging discs from past problems.
3 weeks later, a day after the surgery follow up and the center back pain returned at times over the last 2 days. More pain tomorrow I'm sure.

There are some bad possibilities out there. Curious if anyone has seen this or know first hand of what center back pain is when you saw it.

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1 reply
claytamos | @claytamos | Feb 1, 2020
In reply to @demonsleeve "I think my post closed before I finished. It's more wordy, sorry for 2nd post. I'm..." + (show)
@demonsleeve

I think my post closed before I finished. It's more wordy, sorry for 2nd post.
I'm 3 weeks post laproscopic gallbladder surgery.
Center back pain prior to surgery. First thought was muscles and bulging discs from past problems.
3 weeks later, a day after the surgery follow up and the center back pain returned at times over the last 2 days. More pain tomorrow I'm sure.

There are some bad possibilities out there. Curious if anyone has seen this or know first hand of what center back pain is when you saw it.

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If it's just in the back it's probably something with your back. If it's also in upper abdomen have your pancreas checked.

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Feb 2, 2020

@mikehow - I had this surgery a very long time ago but I remember having the pain after surgery. It was thought to still be swelling at the site. I still get the pain now if I eat certain fats I don’t tolerate. Probably spasms or gravel in the duct with me. Usually lasts 8 hrs. I have had pancreatitis also and know the difference- pain is intense in the back and with bad nausea, not letting up. It’s always best to check with your doctor if it continues.

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colletteb | @colletteb | Feb 26, 2021
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @dodgerblu818311, I'd like to welcome you to Connect as well; I can only imagine how..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @dodgerblu818311,

I'd like to welcome you to Connect as well; I can only imagine how stressful it must have been for you, with having a baby and then gallbladder surgery soon after!

We have a few past discussions on abdominal scar tissue or adhesions that can cause pain and discomfort; feel free to scroll through the conversations and tag members:

recurring abdominal adhesions: http://mayocl.in/2qWRN2R
Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery: http://mayocl.in/2nhtuhj
Scar tissue surrounding organs: http://mayocl.in/2o7g2LT

I'm also tagging @rdrdhap @giza @avocado1 @ginpene05 @kag13 @nonnie1@loriel59, with the hope that they, and other members on this discussion, will return with more insight for you.

@dodgerblu818311, have you seen a doctor for your symptoms? How do you manage the pain-episodes?

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I have had 40 staples in my abdomen, 4 from gall bladder, 18 from emergency CSection, and ten yrs ago 18 from emergency hysterectomy (they found 18 lbs of Endo tumors and cervical cancer, they left my ovaries, a week later I suffered a massive pulmonary embolism with 3 blood clots on my lung. They also told me there was an overwhelming amount of scar tissue build up under my c section scar). I felt great until two years ago. I don't have a family doctor and it's impossible to get one. My symptoms are the same as before my hysterectomy, pelvic and back pain, trouble walking, trouble sleeping, bloated abdomen that feels like someone inflated a balloon in my abdomen and filled it with rocks, I've gained 50 lbs in two years, walk in clinic doctors don't take you seriously, they send you for a random test and don't do any follow up and when you try to follow up with them you get sent to another doctor in the same clinic and you have to start all over again. I requested an ovarian ultrasound after telling the doctor I have no uterus. She called me a week later she had sent me for a uteral ultrasound and asked me if I knew I didn't have a uterus. I've lost all confidence in doctors and feel I'm going to die because nobody is listening.

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ken82 | @ken82 | Feb 26, 2021

@colletteb Where do you live where you cannot get a primary Care Physician? Do you have any insurance or are you able to get Medicaid? There is supposed to be a doctor coordinating your care. How old are you now? What kind of medical records system does your clinic/hospital have? Visiting with the Clinic Administration would be a good place to start to restore your faith in the Medical profession.

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1 reply
colletteb | @colletteb | Feb 26, 2021
In reply to @ken82 "@colletteb Where do you live where you cannot get a primary Care Physician? Do you have..." + (show)
@ken82

@colletteb Where do you live where you cannot get a primary Care Physician? Do you have any insurance or are you able to get Medicaid? There is supposed to be a doctor coordinating your care. How old are you now? What kind of medical records system does your clinic/hospital have? Visiting with the Clinic Administration would be a good place to start to restore your faith in the Medical profession.

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I live in British Columbia, I have coverage for prescriptions. I moved to BC from Alberta ten years ago. My family doctor was in Alberta but their office has since closed. When I had my hysterectomy I was 40. Now I'm going on 50. Honestly, in my 30s I was in so much pain I didn't think I'd live to be 50. Having trouble getting my medical records from Alberta because they apparently only hold them for 7-10 years. What is a clinic administration?

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 26, 2021
In reply to @colletteb "I live in British Columbia, I have coverage for prescriptions. I moved to BC from Alberta..." + (show)
@colletteb

I live in British Columbia, I have coverage for prescriptions. I moved to BC from Alberta ten years ago. My family doctor was in Alberta but their office has since closed. When I had my hysterectomy I was 40. Now I'm going on 50. Honestly, in my 30s I was in so much pain I didn't think I'd live to be 50. Having trouble getting my medical records from Alberta because they apparently only hold them for 7-10 years. What is a clinic administration?

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Hi @colletteb, do you know about these websites to help you find a family doctor in British Columbia?
- BC College of Family Physicians https://bccfp.bc.ca/for-the-public/find-a-family-doctor/
- Pathways https://pathwaysmedicalcare.ca/

It sounds like you need medical care. Do you live in a rural area of BC?

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tonyap | @tonyap | Sep 15, 2021
In reply to @johnetteg "Hi Dawn, I know it’s been awhile since your post so hopefully you get this message...." + (show)
@johnetteg

Hi Dawn, I know it’s been awhile since your post so hopefully you get this message. I had my gallbladder out almost 4 months ago and have developed pain and it gets severe in my side under the ribs and the pain goes across my abdomen and can be on the left under the ribs too. It has been a constant pain for 3 weeks. The pain developed 3 months after surgery. I’ve several tests all come back normal. Thinking it could be adhesions. I had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. If you don’t me asking what was your experience with adhesions? Where was your pain, when did it start, was the pain constant? Any information you can give would be helpful. I hope you are feeling better now.

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I know this is a long shot since your post is old, but I am experiencing the same exact thing, so bad that I cannot even work at the moment. The pain has overtaken my life. Are you better now? And if I may ask, what treatment has made it better?

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ty4909 | @ty4909 | Jul 17, 2022

I had my gallbladder removed about 4yr ago and what was supposed to be a quick in and out surgery turned into a 7hr surgery and a 3wk hospital stay and a scar across my stomach, my stomach is so rock hard it looks like I'm 6mos pregnant, I'm pretty sure it's because my stomach is filled with scar tissue, I want to know what kind of Dr takes care of this, I know they say plastic surgeon/but I don't think this is really a form of cosmetic surgery. Any suggestions I'm located in Connecticut Fairfield county or New Haven county

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