Complications/symptoms after Gallbladder Surgery

@theache- Welcome to Mayo Connect!
As you can see many people who had their gallbladders removed, report a variety of problems after surgery. I have not seen a complaint like yours, with severe headaches. It probably has no connection to the surgery. The right specialist for you now would be the Neurologist. There are very many causes of headaches Let's hope the Neurologist have some answers for you. Please get back to us with any new information, please!
I hope that there are other members that can share experiences.

I just joined this site looking for answers and hopefully some help. I too had my gallbladder removed, (1-month ago), and started getting headaches on top and on the top back of my head. The headaches began two weeks after surgery and have not gone away, ever! Constant dull to severe headache that medicine does not seem to help. I have been back to my surgeon who sent me for a CT-Scan with contrast to make sure that there was not a blood clot, and it came back normal. Then I went to my personal doctor and she sent me for an MRI with contrast, and it came back normal. Then I was sent to an ENT who scoped my sinus cavity and throat looking for an infection, and that came back normal. I am not seeing a neurologist and he is running tests, EEG, Sleep Apnea, etc. Still no relief from these nagging headaches and I feel tired, have trouble sleeping and feel shortness of breath at times. My stomach, and gallbladder pain in gone, and I have no problems eating. Any thoughts?

@fourof5zs ... Drinking an electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte .. available OTC at drug stores .. is very helpful to me to be hydrated.. that is really important to good health.. The Pedialyte or the Store brand equivalent is much higher in the electrolytes we need than the Gatoraid drinks found in the Grocery stores.. Ken

@theache

I have had headaches off and on weeks .. sometimes months after any surgery I have had general anesthesia. I think if you tend to have migraine headaches, sinus headaches, or tension headaches as I do you are more likely to have them after general anesthesia. I tend to be nauseous after general anesthesia and therefore will not drink as many fluids as I should. Dehydration can cause headaches.

This article will explain other causes: https://www.healthline.com/health/headache-after-surgery#causes

ZeeGee

Thanks, I am going on three weeks now with the same aching headache. Top of my head and it floats from front to back and does not go away. Sometimes I feel short of breath and that feeling usually lasts several hours. Anemia, diabetes, or something like that? Just want the headache to go away.

Thanks, I am going on three weeks now with the same aching headache. Top of my head and it floats from front to back and does not go away. Sometimes I feel short of breath and that feeling usually lasts several hours. Anemia, diabetes, or something like that? Just want the headache to go away.

@theache Are you taking any new medications? Many drugs can cause a headache and shortness of breath. More than likely it is the anesthesia. Plenty of fluids, and walking as you are able will help get it out your system. Make your doctor is aware of your symptoms... especially since you mentioned shortness of breath. There is a chance it is something else going on with your body other than side effects of the anesthesia.

After one surgery I had my neck hurt and I had a horrible headache.. for several months. It was some way my head had been positioned during surgery. I went through PT and no help. My family doctor back then was a DO. He did not tell me what he was going to do. He had me lay on the exam table with my head hanging over the edge and he was massaging my neck and moving my head about and all of a sudden a quick turn.. I heard a very loud, frightening pop. Immediate relief and was told to never let anyone twist my neck again. I basically had a disc slip out of place.

What I am saying is it could be your neck even if it is not hurting. Mine was hurting, but sometimes the neck doesn't hurt and will cause a headache..not just neck, but other parts of the spine too. It could even be a shoulder out of alignment. We never know what positions our bodies go through during surgery.

Please keep me updated. I care.
ZeeGee

Could be just tension or stress. Did you try to ask your doctor to give you a relaxant or so?