Problems after Gallbladder removal.

[bigsissie]

On the 25 I had a Cholecystectomy because I had gallstones. During the surgery they told my husband that my gallbladder was swollen and infected and had puss and bile around it therefore they had to put in a drainage tube. I stayed in the hospital overnight with no complications. While there I was eating fine walking up and down the halls three to four times a day felt overall ok but sore. I should also mention I still have the drainage tube and was told to wear my tet ? (spelling may be wrong) hose and belly band until I come back to the dr on the 30.

  First day home was fine I walked about two blocks to help release the gas. Had a normal dinner (low fat). I am drinking plenty of water about 3 liters day. Now I know the gas will move up and it is painful and there will be swelling ect.involved. My problems started early yesterday afternoon when I decided to weigh myself and realized I had gained 7 pounds since that morning. Later on that evening I had severe abdominal swelling. I looked 9 months pregnant and felt like a sharp poke would send me off like a balloon. Also my neck was swollen and very sore to the touch. More on the right side than the left. After thinking things over I realized I had not had a bowel movement since the day before my surgery. I called the er to see if it was ok to take a gentle laxative and was told by my surgeon ( who the wonderful lady at the er got out of bed to help me) to use milk of magnesia. I didn't have any here so waited until this morning to get it. Took it this afternoon.

Today I have had a headache all day. I have had some small bowel movements and been passing some gas. I also took off the tet hose because my legs had swollen overnight and were becoming almost bruised by my knee where the hose is. I also decided to wash the hose and let them air dry until tonight. Now my legs have horrible swelling I still have the headache and there is a squeezing type of pressure under my right breast almost like I can feel the end of the tube and I have sudden sharp pain that runs from under my arm to almost my hip on my right  side and my stomach is starting to bloat back up (no noticeable weight gain) . My weight has been up and down by 1-2 pounds all day. Also running a higher than normal temp.

Does anyone know what could be the cause of all of this,? Is it normal? and last but not least Does anyone know anything I can do to help the swelling bloating ect that is going on?

Thank you in advance for any info it will be much appreciated I am miserable here lol.  

    Best wishes, Sissie

[bigsissie]

Dr said swelling was normal because of infection was very bad. I got my drainage tube and staples removed today :). Also that some of the swelling could have been from my thyroid ( I have Hashimoto's disease) and that the surgery could have affected how well my meds absorbed. All is great now my swelling is down and I am back to normal weight. Soooo happy Thank you both.

[Sarsi]

No, I don't think this amount of swelling is normal.....I'd go to the er to get checked......
I hope you feel better soon

[bigsissie]

Unfortunately my dr is unavailable until monday which is when I have an appointment. It took the er nurse over a hour just to get a hold of him about the mile of magnesia. My only choice is the er for now which I am trying to avoid. I will defiantly go if things get worse. When I talked to them last night I told them about the swelling and weight gain and the nurse said the dr told her that it wasn't unusual so I don't think they will really do anything unless I start running a fever. It is just that I am so miserable. Thank you for your concern. I feel worse now than I did before. Thank you again, Sissie