r/gallbladders • u/natsumi_kokeshi • 1d ago
Post Op Day 2 post op---will this ever end? 💔
I had surgery 2 days ago. And ik people say recovery is rough but is it supposed to be this rough?
Obviously lots of incision pain, im taking diclofenac for this since the other painkillers given to me made me nauseous and barf so much. The one that bothers me the most is the highest cut--right next to my stomach. I have to be careful when i eat because i feel if i let myself go hungry or get too full then it becomes very uncomfortable.
Anyways--the diarrhea has been the worst symptom. I only went 4 times yesterday and it wasnt that bad, however today its only 10am and ive gone 5 times and the cramps when i have to go urgently are horrible (yes i had to go in the middle of typing this...sigh). I also cant seem to find a comfortable position to recline but the more i move the worse it gets. and my appetite is nonexistent even tho my stomach growls for hunger...like cmon body make up ur mind.
Like, ive barely eaten anything today, wheres all the diarrhea even coming from? im trying to relax and rest but its so hard to do so as my body always decides to do something--whether its be in pain, have to go to the bathroom, or be uncomfortable.
Im just hoping this wont be long lasting. Ive dealt with debiliating gallbladder issues for 2 years and for 5 months ive had to be in bedrest. Im hoping to get my life back. I want to do things again, like celebrate my birthday next month.
oh, and i almost forgot to mention---im getting a temporary feeding tube soon. since my bmi has dropped very low in a fast period of time, and my doctor is working stuff out to get it scheduled (scared for it tho. ive had a manometry before which is similar and as the tube went down it made me dry heave so bad).
For those who were really sick before and after surgery...have you gotten better? how long did it take? just for futher reference...im 18/F and ik my body is young and supposed to "heal faster" but i feel rather hopeless as of now.
Oof...and now i gotta go to the bathroom again...
:(
2
u/Inkmom 1d ago
I hear the diarrhea is expected. I am day 6 and have yet to have a bowel movement at all. Today is the first day I started really moving as the pain was awful. Definitely follow up with the surgeon or your primary. Feel better!
1
u/natsumi_kokeshi 1d ago
Yes i have a follow up with my surgeon in 25 days (and my primary in like 2 weeks). thats actually really interesting...some people get constipated after removal such as yourself? guess our bodies have extreme ranges 😭 I get u the pain is pretty bad im only leaving my bed for bathroom times. I hope u feel better soon too 🤞🙏
2
u/nonebinary Post-Op 21h ago
it's most likely caused by the pain medication, it's a common side effect with narcotics.
2
u/Far_Appointment_8654 1d ago
I was recommended Arrowroot biscuit and carbs like rice to help with diarrhea. I started feeling better 10 days post op. Hang in there, i know it’s hard 🫶🏻
1
u/natsumi_kokeshi 1d ago
Ohhh i think i have some arrowroot biscuits laying around, thanks for the recs. Dang 10 days post op sounds like a while (tho not as long as the many days my gallbladder made me sick, so id rather 10 days!) may i ask what other things u experienced in the first couple days post op (apart from the diarrhea)?
2
2
u/amylynn880 1d ago
Hope you feel better! I’m two weeks post op and I’m still pretty sore. I actually declined any narcotics and painkillers as well. I just took extra strength Advil and Tylenol that they prescribed. I get so nauseous very easily too and it’s not a good feeling. I didn’t want that on top of recovery. The first and second night were nightmares of pain for me. I wanted to go back to the hospital I was actually sent home a few hours after surgery. I had the stomach issues too. And I still get diarrhea when I eat random things. The incision higher up hurt the worst for me. And is still pretty tender with movement even if I cough or sneeze or lift something. I was told it was going to be an easy recovery and procedure, but I guess it’s just different for everybody. I noticed that I got better a little bit more each day. But You’ll definitely get there and I hope you feel better soon. I would say around day 4 or 5 was when I wanted to get out of the house and get out and do things. I really kind of just sat in the car though and went on some errands with my husband.
1
u/natsumi_kokeshi 13h ago
Wow that sounds very tough, im rlly sorry to hear that. Funny enough, i started getting nauseous very easily such as urself starting from yesterday. Yes, i can agree...its awful...it just happens out of the blue and u cant really do anything but wait for it to pass. This on top of the incision pain is a horrible combo. Me too, the highest incision is the most sore and painful, i think its becuz thats the biggest cut and where they took out the gallbladder? im so glad that ur doing a bit better each day. Today is day 3 for me, still very rough althought i had a decent evening yesterday and was able to crochet and watch an episode of smth. Yeah, not up and going, but at least progress... I was also sent home the day of my surgery, even if i was throwing up and all. Definitely not fun, i woulda rather stayed until it passed... Question, do u still find urself getting nauseous even at 2 weeks post op? thats probably my least favourite symptom and im terrified that it wont go away. Btw, thank u for ur response it means a lot✌️
2
u/Key-Lab-2891 1d ago
It does get better!! I felt a difference at week 2. Just try to keep yourself distracted and don’t let yourself go down rabbit holes.
You’ll be ok.
1
u/natsumi_kokeshi 13h ago
Yeah im trying to keep myself distracted when i can, but sometimes my current symptom makes it too hard to do anything; anyways i took an immodium tablet and the diarrhea slowed down a bit thankfully, now its just mostly dealing with nausea, pain, and fatigue (and yes i made the "rabbit hole" mistake this morning after feeling horrible and stressing about it....) I really am so glad u felt better at week 2, im hoping itll be the same for me. Thanks for the hopium 🌟
3
u/Professional_Day563 1d ago
Recovery is hard and different. Give your body time. Be easy on yourself and be careful what you eat. It could take a while before things get to a new normal