Is this normal - 5 weeks after Gallblader removal?

It can take some peole longer to heal completely, but it depends on why you had it removed...sometimes it is a bile duct issue or a stone got left behind, it can be diet, Don't let it worry you yet...I think talking to the surgeon is better than getting some anxiety building advice on here for now, my surgery was more complex and it took me over 6wks to feel better....Best Wishes on your recovery, hope all goes well!!

At my follow up with my consultant after 4 weeks he said I still had some swelling and said it can take up to 6 months for the pain and discomfort to go. I'm 2 months in still can't lay on my side but now only get the odd twinge which feels exactly like gallbladder pain

I had my gallbladder removed 12 weeks ago. Week 1 from hospital release, I was on percocet every 4 - 5 hours to deal with the pain. Week 2, though the pain in gallbladder and pancreas areas still lingered, it became semi-manageable with only 3 or so percocet per day. Week 3, the pain was fully manageable without percocet. Week 4, pain was significantly diminished to where I was able to do some errands and grocery shopping on my own. Week 5 - week 12, on occasion the pain returns but only subtly and mildly, nothing alarming to note.

I feel fortunate to have had two great surgeons that operated on me, and indeed I had two surgeries in one week. The first surgery was a GI specialist that operated on my pancreas to remove the blockage that was caused by my gallbladder sludge, and then he operated on the common duct to remove the lodged gallstone. Then another specialist on the following day did the surgery to remove my gallbladder which had become infected, necrotic, and had ruptured just prior to the operation. The infected bile from my dying gallbladder had spilt its entire content into my entire abdominal cavity, and he said it took him 7 liters of cleaning solution to wash and vacuum out the bile sludge. He also took biopsies from my abdominal cavity and the removed, infected gallbladder for any sign of cancer. He then took another extra step to x-ray my liver duct to ensure nothing was blocking it.

Not sure if my comment is of any help, but I figure to offer another person's experience with gallbladder surgery. I don't know, but maybe the liver duct has some blockage?

I'm now on 12th week since being released form the hospital. I've had no complications following the two surgeries. Occasionally I do have slight pains in the gallbladder area and pancreas area, sometimes sharp, prickly pain, sometimes dull achy pain, but nothing significant to worry about.

My primary problem from gallbladder removal is chronic diarrhea. I've had it from day one after the surgeries and has only marginally subsided since. Various diets, enzymes, probiotics, fiber supplements... Nothing helps. However, lately I've discovered certain foods that my digestive tract seems to respend well to - grilled chicken and spaghetti. Though they don't eliminate diarrhea, they at least reduce it by half in my estimation.

I'll post my personal experience on gallbladder surgery soon and will include more details to share with others suffering the same, dreaded chronic diarrhea as a result of gallbladder removal.

As for the person that keeps bashing on doctors and about unnecessary gallbladder removal, pay no attention to the bs. My gallbladder attack was the worst pain I have ever experienced, and I've had spinal surgery years ago, so I know what real pain is, and to be free of gallstone attacks with the removal of the infected and necrotic, dying organ is truly a blessing.

Wish you the best of recovery and good health.

I am 8 months post op of gallbladder removal and I am having that exact pain in my side. I am also having horrible stomach aches. I actually went to the doctor due to this, and the GI specialist I saw made a comment on how humorous it is that ER doctors blame the gallbladder when there was only sludge present. Um what? Was she trying to tell me that I may have not needed my gallbladder removed?? After tests being done, everything came back clear. Then they wanted to do more invasive testing which I refused. I am not happy how no one came to talk to me about the complications following gallbladder removal, I had to find this out the hard way and do my research. I am hearing from others I know as well as on this site, low fat diet will help with this pain, however some have to stay on this diet for a long time. I was told by a different doctor I saw, sometimes others bodies have a hard time adjusting without the gallbladder and the liver has a hard time getting rid of bile which can also cause that pain. Dandelion root tea and digestive enzymes help with it. I started my low fat diet and have been reducing sugar intake a week ago and honestly my stomach feels better. The complications after gallbladder removal needs to be talked about more with patients, honestly we should have all been referred to talk to a GI specialist about it, what to expect, what to do, suggestions, etc.

Hi Carol, I am having a similar experience. I had gallbladder surgery 2 months ago. I felt great for the first two weeks post surgery, then the pain in my gallbladder area came back again. I saw my surgeon for a follow can appointment and he said he didn't know what was causing the Pain. He has ordered more blood work, but I haven't heard back from him regarding blood work yet. I have days where the pain is so bad that I can't do anything. Sometimes it feels like a knife stabbing me in the gallbladder area. Other times it feels like the area is burning. I am very frustrated because I never know when the pain will strike. I have been recording everything I've eaten for the last 5 weeks and cannot pin point any particular food. The pain is changing my life drastically. I was a very active person before this surgery and now I hardly move out of the house. Does anyone out there have any advice or suggestions as to what to do next?