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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@tennisgolf, I have had surgery for a liver and a kidney transplant. And when I was reading one of my chest x-ray reports, I read that there were surgical clips in the image. Yikes! I asked about it, and my doctor or physiciann's assistant, showed me the x-ray image and pointed out 2 nonmetal clips. They are harmless and are commonly used. Whew! I had no pain or discomfort in the chest area, so it was a complete surprise.
As for the pinlike pain sensations, I did have those in my lower left abdomen where my new kidney is located. And I was frightened. When I talked to the NP at my 4 month check-up, I learned that it was due to healing and scar tissue/and connecting tissues forming (adhesions?). I was instructed to continue my exercise, but to increase the level/intensity gradually and not to overdo it.
I hope that you got in to see your doctor. Let us know what you found out.

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@libertyusa

Thank you. I will see surgeon tomorrow to clarify. Being a total novice, when I saw "staple" in the Pathology Report, I was surprised. But, of course, I do not comprehend the meaning of the description: QUOTE: "..................Received..............gallbladder...(gives dimensions)......................intact fluctuant gallbladder which displays a 0.2 cm in length a stapled cystic duct". THAT IS THE THE EXACT WORDING - I GUESS EITHER IMPROPER ENGLISH - OR JUST MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY WHICH I CANNOT DECIPHER. (my imagination wonders if a staple from the stapled cystic duct wound up somwhere else?
Question: if there is a staple somewhere, can you see it with an Xray?

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Hello @tennisgolf

I have had 3 surgeries of the upper digestive tract and whenever I have an MRI they also see a metal clip as well. It has not presented any problems for me but it is something to be aware of, especially if you have an MRI of that area. (The last surgery where a clip would have been used was in 2005.)

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Thanks to YOU ALL for your comments!! Helpful and comforting. I did finally see my surgeon for the second post op on 7/19/19. Surgery was 6/26. I talked to him about staples and he said he uses clips. As I mentioned prior, I said to him the Pathology report mentioned staples in the duct - they may have been used to close off the (bile? or cystic?) duct when they removed gallbladder so bile did not spill - someone suggested something like that - I am not at home, so do not have my notes.) I tried to point to where I felt this little area of pain. But he said "You are doing fine."
He did not really press anywhere or seemed concerned about what I felt. I think he is wrong when he says "It is OK to play golf and my racquet sport." But I thought, well why not - surgeon said several times to go for it. Well, it did not work. I felt the pain get a little worse. I am interested in info on stitches/scar tissue/adhesions. Perhaps that is the culprit. Wonder why he never mentioned that? However, the feeling never changes. It is the same every day. I would say I can duplicate it by doing a "mild situp from a prone position on the floor". It is sore. This is not gut-wrenching pain. On the other hand, it does not feel good(!) I personally believe I tend toward a high pain threshhold (?) - so I have to factor that in. I am going to a hospital library tomorrow and work with them on researching "complications" post surgery. I do realize others have more pressing issues than I. But I try to maximize whatever I do - my goal is to be as good and healthy as one can be. You know, I just thought of something. I have had 2 prior major abdominal surgeries - 35 and 29 years ago. One was oopherectomy/hysterectomy after which I insisted on doing ERT for about 10 years. Maybe that is WHY I had gallstones because I read that Estrogen can cause them. I had read that scar tissue from priors can be an issue with GB surgery. He never addressed this. Maybe that is the problem - I just do not know. Regards to all and best of health to you.

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@Tennisandgolf Follow your instincts ~ if it hurts more, back off. But don't stop moving as that will speed healing and reduce adhesion issues. Just go slowly...maybe just practice putting or hit a few balls at a driving range. Then build up to 9 holes, etc. It has been less than four weeks and even though it's small incisions, it's still a major surgery and you need to give it time to heal. I was 30 when I had mine and I think I took longer than you have! Glad there is no sign of infection!

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