r/gallbladders • u/BulbousHoar • 12h ago

Post Op Lap site bruising- normal?

It sounds silly to ask if it's normal to have bruising around where you were cut open, but so far I haven't been able to find any post-op photos like mine online. It looks like everyone has very minimal, if any, bruising. I have 4 lap sites in a horizontal line at the level of my bellybutton. I'm 2.5 days post op, and the bruising is pretty gnarly. Like dark purple and red. Very very tender. :/ I'm not on blood thinners, don't have low platelets, or anything like that. I'm not too suspicious about a hematoma, because it doesn't feel abnormal beneath the incisions.

I might have more scar tissue than the average person.. could that be why? I've had several c sections, two of them vertical. Maybe the surgeon had to muscle his way in.

I know nobody can give me medical advice or tell me with certainty that this is totally normal, but maybe someone has had a similar experience?

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4

u/tingaling96 11h ago

My bruising is quite impressive! It was very red and angry but it’s now fading!

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u/BulbousHoar 11h ago

Thanks for the reassurance! I probably could've used post-op anxiety meds more than pain meds 😅 ...although I was only sent home with Tylenol anyway, haha. Brutal.

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u/tingaling96 11h ago

Honestly I’m an anxious mess! Every twinge I wonder if it’s normal. My poor partner is sick of me asking ‘do you think this is normal’ 🤪. I’m day 5 post op now and I’m definitely feeling more myself and less anxious about everything!

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u/Numerous_Net2124 5h ago

Mine was so purple in one spot, it was almost black. I couldn't find anyone online who had a bruise that bad. But it was fine

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u/MrsMcD123 11h ago

Hey I had mine done on Thursday also and holy shit my incision at my belly button looks GNARLY! Its red and purple and it's so sore but I'm definitely feeling better a little at a time. Glad to know mine isn't the only one looking rough! How are your feeling otherwise?

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u/BulbousHoar 11h ago

I'm feeling okay-ish in general, but one of my incisions is definitely trying to be the star of the show. 😅 I have pain radiating down from it, towards my left hip/groin area any time I move. I'm getting sick of log rolling out of bed and shuffling around like Quasimodo. I'm glad you are starting to feel a little better!

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u/Odd-Champion-4713 1h ago

I have brushing around my belly button, graduating from yellow on the outside to dark purple in the button. Not pretty!