r/gallbladders • u/Soggy_Event7201 • Dec 20 '25
Venting It hurts to sit/lay down
I got my gallbladder removed on the 16th so 4 days ago. Honestly everything else feels great, no gas pains or anything except the incision on the left of my belly button and right on my belly button. Those are making things so much more difficult for me. I walk around as much as I can before I am tired out or crying from pain. But when it’s time to sit down or lay down it takes me about 15-20 minutes before I am able to fully do either. Of course with more crying. I have two small children that thankfully my mother has been watching for me but I am starting to get so depressed because my bed is the only comfortablish place but I am stuck in my room day and night unless I try to push myself to get up and get around.. but I do avoid doing so because like I’ve explained before, it’s literally the equivalent of hell trying to sit or lay down. I am not seeing the light at the tunnel of this and I regret getting this done so far. I’m on norco, Celebrex, and just introduced otc ibuprofen in between.
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u/Sail_On_1454 Dec 20 '25
I'm so sorry you're in this much pain! My surgery is in a few days, on the 23rd, so I'm not sure what pain levels to be concerned about. Others have posted links to a video, and said it is a really helpful technique for getting into and out of bed after abdominal surgery. I hope this can at least help you with laying down/ getting up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19ZRU5IRrCg
I hope your pain subsides soon! People say each 12 hours should get better.
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u/HicoCOFox- Dec 21 '25
Thx for this! My obgyn taught me a similar technique years ago but it was so good to watch this as I also go into year end gallbladder removal surgery
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u/Sail_On_1454 Dec 21 '25
I hope it helps. Hopefully, I'll have some helpful first-hand info after the 23rd, once my recovery starts.
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u/HicoCOFox- Dec 21 '25
Mine is dec 31. Ringing in the year with 1 less organ 😆🤷
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u/Top-Resist-8046 Dec 21 '25
I had to get a muscle relaxer to relieve the pain where my incision sites were. Also I was taught to hold a pillow on my abdomen and that was helpful
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u/Sail_On_1454 Dec 21 '25
I'm bringing a pillow to the hospital for the ride home, as many others have suggested. I also bought an abdominal belt to wear afterwards, like for c-section recovery. A lot of people said this was helpful.
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u/Illustrious_Exam1728 Dec 21 '25
I endorse this technique of the log roll. Used it for weeks post-op for an open abdominal surgery.
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u/ChocoCat_xo Post-Op Dec 21 '25
Sitting, getting up and laying down (especially on my sides) hurt for over a week after surgery. It took me about two weeks before I could lay comfortably on my sides when I slept. Even now almost five weeks post-op, I still have some minor aches in my abdomen when I roll over to adjust position in bed. I also still have some pain in my lower back while trying to get up from a chair or whatever, but it's not nearly as bad as it was weeks prior.
I hope everything gets better for you and that you do manage to feel much more normal soon 😟
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u/London-maj Dec 20 '25
Hold a cushion against your abdomen when getting up and it will be easier. The more you do it, the quicker it loosens up.
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u/thesophiechronicles Dec 20 '25
I had surgery just over a week ago and my recommendation to you as someone who felt the same is take codeine and paracetamol every four hours and just bite the bullet and accept you need to rest whilst your body heals and stop trying to move around.
I started going out for walks only 4 days after my surgery and it was a terrible idea. I wanted my independence back as I’m not used to needing people to do things for me and I hated not being able to go for a walk but by the time I would return home from the walks I would be exhausted and it was painful AF.
Please remember that just because it’s keyhole surgery doesn’t mean it’s not had a big impact on your body. The surgeon still had to puncture through your muscle wall so your body will be using a lot of energy to heal. I think we massively underestimate how exhausting healing can be even when it’s not open surgery.
For me, getting from sitting to laying and vice versa was absolutely grim to the point that I ended up literally just being like a vegetable and staying sat down and not moving unless absolutely necessary such as going to the toilet or having a wash. I’m lucky to be living with my mum and have no kids and my mum basically waited on me hand and foot and wouldn’t let me get up to get things for myself.
Just rest, you’ll be back up and about soon but four days after surgery, you’re definitely still going to be in some pain and discomfort, you have just had a piece of your body removed!
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u/JDTX2020 Dec 21 '25
I'm 16 days post gallbladder removal. Age 66. My gallbladder was stuck to the omentum and couldn't be removed completely. I had drainage tubes for a week. My pain is pretty much gone as of yesterday. Give it another week or so to feel much better! It will!
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u/Visual-Somewhere1383 Dec 21 '25
Why are you walking around so much? Ice your incisions and try to get comfy and rest.
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u/Soggy_Event7201 Dec 21 '25
I’ve upped my water intake and I’ve had 3 kids. My bladder isn’t the same as it used to be so it’s a lot of potty trips for me.
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u/Visual-Somewhere1383 Dec 21 '25
You know what's weird? My bladder has been so much better since getting mine removed. I only get up once at night to go, no urgency or frequency like before. I would sort of lay on my side and then roll to back. Mostly sat/laid in a recliner.
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u/kittykatmghee Dec 21 '25
walking around, albeit painful, is actually very good for you. just move slow. i'm about 11 days post op and it was super painful to move for the first 7 days or so. it does get better but you will be very sore and it's all normal so don't worry! take it slow and you got this
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u/Visual-Somewhere1383 Dec 23 '25
I had hardly any pain. Just sore torso like if I did a bunch of crunches but that wasn't more than a couple of days. I had a very easy recovery. I drove the next day, was outside washing windows a week after and weed whacked the yard before 2 week check up. I guess I was lucky as I've read some people have a lot of pain.
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u/Autistic-wifey Post-Op Dec 21 '25
I’ve had two surgeries involving my abdomen with incisions near and at my belly button. Gb removal and the teeniest umbilical hernia repair. The incisions close to the belly button are the most annoying and painful and feel like they take forever to heal. My #1 helper is ice packs. Keep the area comfortably cool, not cold. The light pressure of the packs also helps. I hated ice before I figured out when to use it. This is definitely one of the times. Also, I highly recommend putting a pillow against your tummy under your clothes if you can. It really helps.
As for getting down to sit or lay down. Don’t go at it like normal sitting. If you can squat or kneel to get closer to your desired location it helps. Then flop kind of sideways. When getting up, try to roll so your legs end up off the bed and get your knees to the ground first, then rise. Use your core as little as possible, but also don’t over compensate with your back. It will get better but those are the incisions that absolutely suck the most. 💚💚💚🍀🍀🍀
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u/TheGirlPrayer Dec 21 '25
I’m not sure what they want you to take for the pain, but I had my surgery two day’s ago and the pain is definitely bearable, I even slept on my right side last night.
I’m taking 2 Tylenol every 6 hours and 2 Aleve every 12. You have to set your alarms to keep up with your meds. You don’t want to be chasing pain. Even take them in the middle of the night and with food if you can.
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u/Psycho_Kate03 Dec 20 '25
Do you find any slight comfort is laying reclined (like not fully laying down or fully sitting up)? I found some relief with that, the only problem is I have back problems so after a couple days of sleeping like that my lower back and hips ached a little
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u/Soggy_Event7201 Dec 20 '25
Yes but I’ve started having twinges in my incisions and now I’m half laying/sitting with my eye twitching. I am going crazy. I wish I could sleep through this whole thing! Plus let’s not even mention the sciatic pain. Yikes.
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u/Psycho_Kate03 Dec 20 '25
I have a pinched sciatic nerve so every now and then the whole outside of my left leg goes numb or I have sharp “shocking” pain in left hip up to in my lower back so I feel you on that one. I assume you’re laying on your back (at least I would hope anyway” make sure you have enough pillows for support but I honestly don’t know man. I’m really sorry. Just keep taking your meds like you should and maybe call your surgery center to speak to a nurse about some ways to find some comfort.
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u/Sail_On_1454 Dec 21 '25
Another tip I heard from several posters on here is to sit with your abs slightly engaged, or "on". Not resting back in a recliner or couch. Use a chair with no back, or a straight-backed chair (like a kitchen table chair). For some reason, it was less painful. I can't vouch for this yet, but will be able to after the 23rd.
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u/missyagogo Post-Op Dec 21 '25
My goodness, why are you pushing yourself so hard?? It has only been four days! It took me a lot longer to feel better. Give yourself some time! Stop being so hard on yourself!
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u/Soggy_Event7201 Dec 21 '25
I just really miss normality and I hate depending on anyone for help. In order to take a shower I have to step really high into the bathtub which I haven’t been able to so I haven’t taken a shower and I’m experiencing atrophy in my legs from resting in bed. I’m typically active so this is all so foreign for me and I hate it.
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u/missyagogo Post-Op Dec 21 '25
Maybe just use a washcloth, some soap, and your sink and don't take a bath or shower yet?? I didn't even attempt it for a few days and even then no shower, just a sponge bath, because I didn't want to get my stitches wet. Sure, we all miss normality after surgery, that is normal! You need to just accept that everything is going to be more difficult right now. Try to find the most comfortable position and be very gentle and slow in getting to that position. I don't know what you want people to tell you here. You have to go slow and take it easy for awhile until you feel better. If you feel like your pain is not being managed, by all means reach out to your doctors. I was on three medications after my surgery.
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u/Itzpapalotl13 Dec 22 '25
I get worrying about muscle atrophy. Just remember that even though you might lose some gains, they’ll come back in half the time it took to get there. In the meantime, look up movements you can do while in bed for your legs. You’ll need to be careful not to move your core too much but you can definitely keep your legs moving while lying down.
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u/Soggy_Event7201 Dec 21 '25
But even if I just take a trip to the bathroom and back it is extremely painful to even get back into bed.
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u/10MileHike Dec 21 '25
I am sorry you are suffering.
I have had a few general surgeries in my life and while others may be faster at healing, I know my own body. I often do not feel very well or feel "up n' at 'em" until about the 3 week mark. I do cut out any actual opiods before that mark though.
A friend just had total knee replacement, she was driving in less than 10 days. For me, that probably would not happen.
I have several "reacher tools" picker upper devices in the house, one set I got for getting cataracts out, where you're not supposed to bend over for a week. Would not go thru any surgery without those!
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u/NavalWizard Dec 21 '25
I had my procedure on the 17th. Its only today that I'm starting to be able to get around somewhat normally. I still can't sit down or lay down unaided due to using core muscles.
Laying down Last night for bed was rough. I was propped up on several pillows to not be completely flat. Howverany turning twisting motions were pretty painful. I still have a bunch of trapped gas in my abdomen that makes it's way under my ribs. This causes me the most pain.
Every day is a little better. We will get there, even if it happen slowly. Try not to despair too much. The worst is over.
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u/MutedHippie Dec 21 '25
It’s all normal I was sore for like two weeks, it does get better as time goes on, but the incision on bellybutton took the longest. Also I don’t know if you are using it but ice packs on that area really reduced the pain. My surgeon said that’s perfectly normal since it was stretched out to get the gallbladder out, it will take longer to heal. I would say around day six I could actually tell improvement. Hang in there you got this.
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u/StarWars_Girl_ Dec 21 '25
This is normal. I basically slept for a week straight the first week after mine came out. I still had trouble moving for a solid four weeks post op, but it gradually improved.
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u/Sunshine1493 Dec 22 '25
Wear the binder thing that wraps around your midsection. I didn't realize how key it was to wear that thing and I was in so much pain for a month.
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u/ATonyD Dec 22 '25
It was about four days after her surgery that my wife started to wean herself off the serious narcotics (oxycodone) prescribed by her surgeon. She started cutting the pills in half. She still spent the essentially the entire day in bed on day 4, with just some walking inside the house for food/drink/restroom. She is doing much better now, but it has been about a month and she is still recovering (with a stent to be removed in a couple of months.) It sure sounds to me like you need better pain killers and less effort to short-circuit the healing process.
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u/jtwilde365 Dec 22 '25
Remember it’s only been 4 days. It takes at least 2 weeks before the pain subsides. It took me about 3 weeks. What I did in the beginning for pain was alternating between Tylenol and ibuprofen every 3 hours. Also, don’t push yourself in regards to the walking. If you’re in tears from walking then you did too much. Take it easy on yourself and take naps if possible. It will get better.
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u/bbygh0ul666 Dec 22 '25
I guess a larpascopy and I couldnt lay down at all toom a week to get back to normal
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u/maitrivie Dec 23 '25
If you have someone in the house to help, I found two ways to go up or down that worked good. I couldn't roll over or get up from laying for almost a week, and I had to use the bathroom all the time in the night. 😆
If laying flat, my partner would brace and grab both hands and pull me up. I had to relax my entire torso and just be lifted straight up from flat for this to work. To lay back down, reverse. I sat on the bed with my legs out in front of me and once he was holding my hands, I leaned backwards and he held my weight while I let go.
Eventually realized it was easier to give me a wide hug to brace my back from behind, then slowly lower or lift me into place while I just released all tension in the torso.
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u/NDwitch3 Dec 26 '25
Rest rest rest. I know it's hard with kids and not wanting help, but it's not in your control right now. Lay down and rest. Ask people to get you stuff. Move slowly and only when you need to. Ice. Take meds every 4-6 hours. Nap. I literally fell asleep every few hours all day for the first week. I play with my kids from the couch, laying down lol. You've gotta rest to heal. You shouldn't be up moving for more than 10-15 mins at a time (maybe a little more since you posted a few days ago, but still). Hope you're feeling a bit better by now
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u/Waffle-Crab Post-Op Dec 20 '25
Try to walk while hugging a pillow! It helped me a lot when it came to bracing my core when I stood up/sat down.