1. Community
  2. Liver and gallbladder
  3. Gallbladder Problems

Anyone else continue to get pain under right ribs after surgery?

Posted , 21 users are following.

Scottie13
Scottie13

I’m now almost 7 weeks post-op and feeling a lot better than I did before surgery. Nausea has completely gone and have only had an upset stomach a few times since but think that was related to antibiotics for a wound infection. 

I’m still getting some pain under my ribs on the right hand side. Is this a normal thing to still be happening? Have spent the day in bed as felt like I was coming down with something. This is what I felt like before most gallbladder attacks though. Could easily sleep for 13 hours straight then the next 3-4 days would have fevers and stomach and back pains. 

I was warned before the surgery that removing the gallbladder doesn’t always take away all of the pain. Really hoping that I’m not in that group of people! Has anyone else felt like this at this stage of recovery?

1 like, 42 replies

42 Replies

Prev Next
  • katherine42413
    katherine42413 Scottie13

    Posted

    Hi Scottie, its still very early days for you as it does take the body a long time to heal internally. 

    When I had mine the pain underneath the ribs continued and got alot worse, I'm now 7 months post op but I've got abdominal nerve entrapment probably caused by the surgery and have under gone one session of nerve block but awaiting to see my consultant for another session. 

    Yours maybe nothing but if it gets worse as mine did then go back to your doctor. 

    Keep me updated with whats happening. x

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 katherine42413

      Posted

      The next time I’m at the GP I’ll mention it. It’s only in the past week I’ve not actually had any fevers! Had a wound infection for a few weeks and it’s just started to finally scab over in the past week. Thought the GP was going to send me back up to hospital! Thankfully she just gave me high strength antibiotics. 

      I’m not sure if it was related to something fatty I’d eaten so will continue to be careful with what I eat. I hope your next session of nerve blocks helps!! xx

  • chrisuuu
    chrisuuu Scottie13

    Posted

    Hi Scottie13

    Sorry to hear you still have pain, is it sharp pain or just really dull?

    I had my gallbladder removed a month ago and recently started having attacks similar to what I had before, but this time the pain would remain in the mid upper abdomen before it goes away. Could it be that maybe you are passing stones stuck in the bile duct or maybe you have one there?

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 chrisuuu

      Posted

      It’s a mixture of both tbh. Suppose it is possible there’s a stone there. Was at GP again today as my wound has opened up again and had lots of pus underneath it. I asked her how long it takes for pain to go away but she’s not worried, says it’s probably just still healing. Having watched what they actually do in the surgery I’m not surprised it hurts. Hope you’re feeling better soon too xx
    • chrisuuu
      chrisuuu Scottie13

      Posted

      Thx for replying!

      Yes, I guess all we have to do is wait and stay positive that everything will get better.

      Hope you feel better soon!

  • mary60410
    mary60410 Scottie13

    Posted

    Hi Scottie13,

    I am almost 2 weeks post op and I am experiencing bad pain under my ribs when I eat and I don't eat much at all.  I eat healthy for the most part, but since surgery have been avoiding dairy and anything high fat content.  I had a dr. app't yesterday and was told "everyone is different" when I asked when will I feel normal.  I was also told I could eat anything I want.  I am frustrated.  I need some words of encouragement or some advice as to how long I should give it before I call my GP.  

    • Mrsoscared
      Mrsoscared mary60410

      Posted

      Mary

      hi I had mine removed ten weeks ago I was told can eat anythhing also,

      ‘I also have pretty badpain just below right ribs but only now after ten weeks is it looking like its

      starting to dissipate.

      it takes months to heal propyl I’m sure.

    • mary60410
      mary60410 Mrsoscared

      Posted

      Thank you for your input.  It's nice to know that it's not "just me".  I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but this pain is worse than the pain I had before my surgery, so it concerns me.   I didn't have gallstones, I had a non-functioning gallbladder.  Does is bother you after you eat too?  

       

    • Mrsoscared
      Mrsoscared mary60410

      Posted

      Mary

      well to be honest Mary the pain I have or now had wa nothing compared to the pain I’ve had for 3 years as my pain was horrendous on another level ?

      but then I had a large stone 2.3 cm stuck lodged in the neck of my gallbladder , OUCH

      and my gallbladder became infected and full of puss and completely gangrenous and dead !

      so maybe was a bit different to your situation,

      ‘but the pain after was like being kissed by a butterfly.

      so if it’s that bad I think go to a and e get a cat scan done just to check no biles leaking etc just to be on the safe side.

    • mary60410
      mary60410 Mrsoscared

      Posted

      I am going to give it another week and then I'm going to call my GP.  Thank you.

       

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 mary60410

      Posted

      Hi Mary, I’ve been back at docs again since this post. Now 3 months post-op and still getting pain under ribs and nausea as well. Have been taking anti sickness tablets and buscopan cramps when needed and seems to help a little bit. Apparently gastritis and gallbladder removal are linked so also have high strength omeprazole to try. I’m not convinced as have had gastritis in the past and doesn’t feel like that.

      I had someone at work tell me I could eat anything now! Try telling my body that! My GP says some people are lucky they can continue to eat what they want but I know I’m not in that group. Have had the side effects if I’ve eaten anything too high in fat. She also said there’s a lot of people who really have to completely change their diet. I wasn’t one for high fat meals before the surgery either. 

      You are only 2 weeks in though so still early days. I was still really sore at that point as well. Think eating little and often is better than trying to eat too much at once. My stomach still can’t cope with big amounts. Fingers crossed the pain for you goes away. It is a major surgery which it’s not made out to be. My GP actually asked if I’d watched it being done which I had, so have an understanding of why it is so painful for a good while xx

  • annachristi88
    annachristi88 Scottie13

    Posted

    Hi!

    I am months post surgery . Beforehand one months i get had sever pain under mu right rib cage. Ultrasound was normal . Endoscopy showed that i have bile in my stomach but doc said take first anti spasm medicine 2 weeks and then we can think another treatment. I am very confused scarey is it normal to have bile in stomach?!?!? And these all pain 24/7  before or after eating . Im now no gluten no fat no dairy.sad why is this pain and bile sad

  • rudy80503
    rudy80503 Scottie13

    Posted

    I just got surgery 2 days ago, I was feeling fine right after surgery, however, the first night I had a sharp pain on the right side of my rib cage, that I hadn't felt all day. Last nite I had to sleep on the recliner to alleviate the pain. It especially hurts when I take a deep breath / yawn. It's just constant now. Not sure if it's meant to hurt so soon after surgery, but if it wasn't for this side stitch I'd be fine. I just read where Gas X can help. Maybe I'll give it a shot. 

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 rudy80503

      Posted

      Try to walk about a bit. It helps to move the gas they use to inflate your stomach so they can see all the organs for doing the surgery. 

      Personally I was in quite a lot of pain around day 2-3. Was on painkillers but ended up needing a hot water bottle as well to try and get a bit of relief. Hope you feel a bit better soon! xx

    • Beenthruit
      Beenthruit rudy80503

      Posted

      It may be the gas they pump into your abdomen during laparoscopy? Walk around as much as you can to disperse the gas.

      Following surgery, I found it was most comfortable to sleep in a chair too. Lying in bed was just too difficult. Couldn’t lie on right side obviously, lying on back was problematic too and left side was getting sore from constantly lying on it. Also had issues getting in and out of bed from lying position. Found rolling in/out easier, but best in chair. In chair, I could use the arms to push up or lower down. Also stuck to pjs and jogging pants as waistbands were uncomfortable.

      Months on, I still get discomfort in lower right rib area, especially if I’ve lain on it in bed. I can live with that- better than the pain of gallstones!

    • rudy80503
      rudy80503 Beenthruit

      Posted

      I've been working since just hours after my surgery. I was afraid that maybe I strained something. I've been walking up and down stairs. It seems to have subsided somewhat today. Hope I continue to improve. Thank you!

    • piotr46508
      piotr46508 rudy80503

      Posted

      Hi. I just got my surgery 3 days ago and have the same symptoms as you. Mean sharp right rib pain , especially when deep breathing or yawing. Is your pain gone? I'm afraid something wrong like bile leak🙁. Painkillers not really helpfull for that pain.

    • belinda62595
      belinda62595 rudy80503

      Posted

      Hello everyone, my husband had a open gallbladder removal last may and a week later was re-admitted for another op to sort out  the adhesions (due to car accident 40 years ago). It took 1 month to get his bowels working again and from then on he still has the similar gallbladder symptoms under rib and back pain, which feels like a fist in the back.He also suffers tummy distension and gas. This pain is  gnawing and is not constant but when it comes on it really gets him down and he is worn out. I have got an appointment for him to see dr today to see what he has to say. The thing is, they never seem to understand what you are going through and pass it on to someone else and it takes weeks and weeks. During which, you are stressed out worrying and of course the stress seems to make it worse.Anyone else feel the same and any advice?
    • Mrsoscared
      Mrsoscared belinda62595

      Posted

      Belinda

      hi.

      im 6 months post opp and mine was gangrene and some and I still get the upper mid back pain and the sharp stabbing pulling whipping pain under my right rib daily on and off ide say about 6p percent of the day is spent in pain. It’s bearable, but I’m more than aware it’s their !

      i also get a lot of gas , light coloured stools, a lot of grumbling growling noises in my tummy.

      the worst of it is for me and maybe it’s the same for your hubby ? Is the psychological effects ie ,not knowing if I am alright or going to be alright , that’s what bothers me the most.

      wish I had a solution also.

      please let me know what the doc says !

      regards.

    • Mrsoscared
      Mrsoscared piotr46508

      Posted

      Piotr

      hi.

      no no don’t be worrying something is wrong , I’m 6 months post opp to the day and I still have that very pain going on and it’s been the same daily since opp.

      ive now been told by a so called specialist, that this can go on for up to 18 months and by fellow gallbladder less people , for ever ?

      its not fun.

    • Mrsoscared
      Mrsoscared rudy80503

      Posted

      Rudy 

      well I think you are a miracle or something then , because no way would it be possible for the average person to be working hours after having their gall out and I find it hard hard to believe to be honest.

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.