Post Laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder and umbilical hernia

@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.

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.)

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.

@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!

I've got the perfect storm. Is anyone suffering multiple issues? I am going through the change so dropping estrogen is making things pretty miserable, I have a bad gallbladder so I cannot eat any fat, I have gastritis so am on a strict diet so it can heal, and my hernia tore a larger hole when it slipped up through the opening after I stupidly drank a full glass of juice and then bent over for an hour weeding the garden. I am medicine/vitamins sensitive so I have opted to take Pepcid AC for the gerd but it does cause me to have anxiety and depression. I try to sit tall and straight but do slouch a little which forces the stomach up so easily and then the reflux comes on like crazy. I can't catch a break. Anyone have any suggestions of any kind? I will listen to all of your advice as I just do not trust the doctors. ER doc refused to listen to me and gave me a ppi which caused such a severe heart pain I immediately refused to take any more.

Thank you for posting. I have the perfect storm too, hernia the whole ball of wax, and I am on Pepcid as well. The only thing I have been able to think to do further than what you have mentioned is elimination diets to see if food allergies are playing any part. What got me thinking along this line is I am also taking psyllium soluble fiber, but noticed the brand that I was taking is manufactured by a company that also markets bee pollen. So I got to wondering if there were traces of bee pollen in the psyllium. I am very allergic to bees. I feel at a loss, but am reassured reading your post, and look forward learning more on this topic.

I have 6 diagnosed issues for 10 years now .
Ruins my life daily .
Tried it all , everything !! On 6 th Gastro Dr . Even Mayo Clinic Dr and testing in Jacksonville.
Did the holistic route too .
Did Functional Medicine Dr.
I can barely eat anything.
I eat at home , small & healthy.
Can’t go to restaurants or take out .
We cook here .
I have Gastritis, Esophagitis, GERD, diverticulosis, small benign polyps on gut lining , small hiatal hernia, IBS-D , 1000 deep wet gross belches day & night . Non stop churning gut .
I feel for you . I’m growing so so weary of living this life everyday when everyone I know is out Living a good life !
No Joy 🥹. Just suffering.
I’m on anti anxiety med low dose for years .
Tried every rx , supplement, elimination diets , testings .
I pray you find the right Dr.
Have they talked about taking gallbladder out ?

I'm so sorry Rozy. This is just such an awful existence. I thought I had it bad but you are even worse than I am. My heart goes out to you. It really does. I am having such dark thoughts. Every time my stomach acts up I get anxiety and depression. Nobody (except you) can understand how bad this is. The constant pain is unbelievable. I pray that it ends soon. Losing all hope and will to live. Ps - the gallbladder is a much needed organ and without it I would be in worse shape as the bile would just drip directly into the stomach so I'm trying to hang on to it.

elimination diets will help with the reflux as I am down to sweet potatoes, gluten free toast, oatmeal with a bit of almond milk and organic chicken. I'm pretty tired of it after 3 months but everything else seems to bother me. The pepcid works as long as I don't have the hernia slide up. Then the pepcid will not work. It's just such an awful way to live. Who is the world doesn't bend over a few dozen times a day yet the doctors say take a drug, eat less food and don't bend over. Instead of just fixing the hernia so that I can have quality of life again. I'm so done. Sorry Linh. Don't mean to rant but this wears your life away.

Ask Gastro Dr about CREON med . I tried it but unfortunately for my issues it didn’t work . I think for yours it would !
It’s RX only .
My gosh you are so sweet and nice . I wish we lived closer . I’m in West Melbourne FL .
Where are you and how many Drs have you seen ?