Abdomen still sore 4 weeks after cholecystectomy

Posted by waschultz @waschultz, Nov 30, 2018

It's been 4 weeks today since my cholecystectomy. I'm a 52yo male and I had a laparoscopic procedure. I am experiencing some light but sharp pains in and around the 4 incisions. The pain is intermittent and sometimes not there at all. If I am sitting I feel nothing but when I walk around I may experience some odd pain and sensations. It can be a little tender to the touch like a bruise but everything looks great. My surgeon was very pleased with procedure, no complications. My 2 week post-op appointment also went well and my doctor is pleased with the outcome and my healing. I fell better than ever, for the most part, and I can eat just about anything I want without any problems. Internally, deep inside, I can't feel a thing and I suspect it's just fine. The problem is that one month later, the muscles in my abdomen are still a bit sore healing and have a little way to go. Is that usual? It almost feels worse this week than last week? What the heck? I want to go back to the gym and exercise but I don't want to make it worse. Anyone else in a similar situation?

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Healing takes time. Outside may look good, but on the inside there is muscle healing, nerves and area where gallbladder was. It can take still another month or more. It is normal and it’s great that your energy is back. It took 8 weeks for my energy to return- even with a rather easy procedure.

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Thank you for that. I guess four weeks really isn't that long. I'm really not in much pain or discomfort but there's a lot of changes going on on the inside and I can be such a worrywart. I appreciate your input. 🙂

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I just started my fourth week and feel my pain in my upper abs. Feel it when I'm lying back and when I have my comforters on me. In the early days day 4,5 & 6 my incisions we're so itching and tender. Luckily the itch is gone but this tenderness where it aches even stretch my upper body it is exhausting. I spent the day bundled up watching TV. But mostly every day I've been walking don't know why I feel so sore still. I will rest more then. I keep reading other people bouncing back quick. With me even thought I started driving since week 1 driving makes everything sore with how much the car shakes so that could be activating it.

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I had bowel resection 3 weeks ago. I am still sore. Inside and out. Worse than slow healing is constipation. Nothing seems to work. I had an open procedure and 3 incision to heal. I guess we just have to find patience

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@laurensophia

I just started my fourth week and feel my pain in my upper abs. Feel it when I'm lying back and when I have my comforters on me. In the early days day 4,5 & 6 my incisions we're so itching and tender. Luckily the itch is gone but this tenderness where it aches even stretch my upper body it is exhausting. I spent the day bundled up watching TV. But mostly every day I've been walking don't know why I feel so sore still. I will rest more then. I keep reading other people bouncing back quick. With me even thought I started driving since week 1 driving makes everything sore with how much the car shakes so that could be activating it.

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You just had major surgery. Its going to take time. Be patient.
Have you tried a heating pad. I had major surgery for something else and my heating pad helps so much.

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My mother told me and I think it is very true, that people heal at different rates. She used as an example giving birth, how some women jump up and are about, the same day afterwards, while other mothers take months to fully recuperate. When younger I had a one inch incisional area in my breast (this area I was told is not suppose to hurt at all) that was painful for a good six months. At that point I took Vitamin C and Vitamin E and the discomfort went away. Perhaps evaluate your daily vitamin C (food) intake to insure that it is adequate. I was a student at that time and know mine had not been. I was drinking way too much tea then, that produced diuresis which flushed nutrients out.

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@bfort

You just had major surgery. Its going to take time. Be patient.
Have you tried a heating pad. I had major surgery for something else and my heating pad helps so much.

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I haven't used heating pads cause anything weigh down or pressing on it hurts. It feels like a big bruise even right where my bra band would be.
The skin around my incisions is faint yellow barely. If I brush over the skin around my incisions or press gently it's still very tender on week 4. Even sleeping is hard. Can't get comfortable.

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@laurensophia

I haven't used heating pads cause anything weigh down or pressing on it hurts. It feels like a big bruise even right where my bra band would be.
The skin around my incisions is faint yellow barely. If I brush over the skin around my incisions or press gently it's still very tender on week 4. Even sleeping is hard. Can't get comfortable.

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I know exactly how you feel. My heating pad is very light. My abdomen was so so last night and when I turned it on I fell right to sleep. I sleep with a wedge pillow to keep my head and my back sitting more up. I also sleep with a pillow next to me because I can't sleep on a side yet. My first couple weeks I had to sit in a chair with an ottoman. My 14 weeks post op and every day is a challenge but I'm starting to have some better days. My recovery could be another 3 months or more. But stay positive. Healing from the inside out takes time and tons of patients. Try to keep moving every day. You will eventually feel better and stronger. Hang in there.

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@laurensophia

I haven't used heating pads cause anything weigh down or pressing on it hurts. It feels like a big bruise even right where my bra band would be.
The skin around my incisions is faint yellow barely. If I brush over the skin around my incisions or press gently it's still very tender on week 4. Even sleeping is hard. Can't get comfortable.

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I am experiencing same. I have 3 incisions. They all hurt. It makes me wonder if something inside isn’t healing well

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@laurensophia

I just started my fourth week and feel my pain in my upper abs. Feel it when I'm lying back and when I have my comforters on me. In the early days day 4,5 & 6 my incisions we're so itching and tender. Luckily the itch is gone but this tenderness where it aches even stretch my upper body it is exhausting. I spent the day bundled up watching TV. But mostly every day I've been walking don't know why I feel so sore still. I will rest more then. I keep reading other people bouncing back quick. With me even thought I started driving since week 1 driving makes everything sore with how much the car shakes so that could be activating it.

Jump to this post

I am also four weeks post gall bladder removal. Pain right around my ribcage is quite brutal. Especially around my back. I still feel unwell and fatigued. Also pain in abdomen on and off and up in the night two or three times needing to pee. I think it’s a case of different people - different rates of recovery and pain.
This is major surgery so be kind to yourself. Rest and gentle exercise 😊

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