Connect
Post-cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery
Hi – I had my gallbladder removed 17 years ago and have chronic, sharp back pain behind the port incision. That incision was in my upper left abdominal quadrant; the pain is felt in my back, directly behind the incision. It is thought that I have an adhesion in my upper left quadrant. Is it possible that nerves are trapped and that it causes referred pain in my back? The pain is nauseating and hasn't improved. I have been on anti seizure medication and a pain killer that isn't a percocet-type medication. I am curious if anyone else has persistent pain in their back following gallbladder surgery. If so, how is your pain treated.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
Hey this recently has been happening to me I had my gb removed in August and almost straight after a week later I had pains I was back in hospital found out I had acute gastritis, that cleared up a few weeks later and I been fine eating what I want till almost a week ago I’m getting these intense like hunger pains almost similar to the gallbladder attacks I’m worried the gastritis is back but I hope it’s not going to last long
Hi,
I had my gallbladder removed through laparoscopic surgery just a couple of weeks ago. All the symptoms are gone, yeah! However, I have pain to the touch in the skin, not the incisions, around where the gallbladder was. I asked my doctor during my 2 week follow up and he was not concerned. He said to come back in a month if the pain persists. Has some experienced this? I wonder if I have some nerves inflamed.
Thanks
Hi @genocurt - I think you are correct in that the nerves may be inflamed from the procedure of removing the gallbladder. It should get less and less with time. Isn’t it nice not to have those symptoms?!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionThanks. I would like to hear from other people to see if someone has experienced something similar as I have been doing research over the internet and I have not found any reference to this type of sensitivity. My skin is not red or anything like that, it is just very sensitive to the touch around the place where I think the gallbladder was located. That part is still swollen, but the incisions look very good.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi all. This will be my final update. It's been almost 6 mos since my biliary stent removal and almost 9 mos post-cholesectomy. I can eat almost anything in moderation now and am pain free and stomach spasm free as a result. I am however still on Dicetel as it helped improve my Crohn's symptoms. I am down to 2 per day and hope to eliminate them completely. So in my case, I was followed well by my medical team and the 3 extra ERCPs I endured seems to have cured my post-cholesectomy pain. I hope that my experience can help others help themselves to get similar results. Of course every case is different and it is still up to your medical professional to determine the best course of action for you. Good luck everyone. It is terrible physically and mentally to live with biliary pain and you shouldn't have to in 2020. I have a new lease in life today now that the pain is gone.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI'm so happy for you. You've been through a lot. You had doctors who listened and you were proactive in your care as well. No one can fathom what chronic pain and illness does to the body and the mind unless they've experienced it. I wish you great health.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI am so happy to hear this, @woodsiechris!
I so appreciate you keeping us updated about your health. Your statement, "I hope that my experience can help others help themselves to get similar results,” is the epitome of the value of Connect: Sharing experiences helps us cope with our struggles, helps us learn from each other and realize that we are not alone – this is what Connect is all about.
I wish you all success for the future.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI had my gallbladder removed a year ago and where the incisions were made are two swollen areas..if I’m standing for two long or make too much movement I have abdominal pain and my body swells
Hi, @blueve97 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I've moved your post here to this existing discussion on recent gallbladder surgery so that you can connect with others who've also had this operation.
I, too, had gallbladder surgery a number of years ago. My surgery was laparoscopic, so I do have a scar, but a fairly small one (though not pretty, admittedly). I don't recall ever having had swelling or pain beyond right the week or so after my surgery.
I'd like to introduce you to @genocurt along with @karihammel @khh @worriedlovingwife, who have mentioned gallbladder surgery for them personally or for someone close to them. Hoping they will have some experiences and input to share on whether they've experienced any post-surgical issues like you are describing. @astaingegerdm also may have some thoughts for you.
Have you gotten to go back to the surgeon or his/her nurse to see if they have any thoughts on the swelling and pain you are experiencing, blueve97? If so, what did they say about it?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have and they did a ct scan and an mri as well as gastroscopy and a colonoscopy and found nothing. I’ve had bloodwork done that showed I had high liver enzymes but they don’t know why
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions