Post Gallbladder Removal Pain Right Flank

[DJsmiles]

I am a 41 year old woman with a 2 year history of severe abdominal pain just below the ribcage after eating fatty foods. One year ago I had Ultrasound of GB, colonoscopy, and Hida scan. All test results were normal. Fast forward until two weeks ago. Developed pain under right ribcage after eating, went to ER where an ultrasound was again done, this time showing stones. Referred to a surgeon and had my gallbladder out 4 days later. Surgeon needed to remove some previous surgical adhesions, but was able to do Lap Choly. Gallbladder showed chronic colicystitis.

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease (possibly lupus?) 2 years ago and realize that healing will take longer for me.

It has been 17 days since the surgery. I am now at the point that the incision pain is minimal and am getting stronger however, 4 days ago I developed INTENSE dull/aching pain beneath my right shoulder blade. Pain lasted 18 hours before abruptly stopping. When pain first began I initially thought it was esophageal irritation from the NSAIDS I had taken post surgery. (In the past when I had this shoulder blade pain I was told it was esophagitis). This however was far more intense than any of the gallbladder pain or shoulder blade pain I had previously had.

The day following the attack of pain I was seen by my surgeon who ordered CBC and liver and pancreas enzymes. All were normal. He said we would possibly never know the cause and it may not return.

Today and yesterday I am having a pinching/sore sensation in my right flank, where I would have previously thought kidney pain would be. (all urine is clear for infection) . when researching this on the internet I find that pancreatic pain can refer to the Right Flank. By right flank, I mean it is on my right side midway down my back.
I also have random pains in my abdomen which I have just sort of thought as  normal healing.

has anyone else experienced right sided flank pain after gallbladder surgery? It has been 17 days now and I sure expected to feel better than this. I have no nausea, no vomiting, no pale colored stools, no dark urine and no front abdominal pain other than occasional aching where my GB used to be.

Thanks
Darlene

[DJsmiles]

Thanks so much for your advice : ) I haven't eaten much of anything really, and everything that I have eaten has been lowfat. I was afraid to try any fat at all.

I still intermittantly have this pain under my right shoulder blade, but not near as bad as the "episode".

Not really sure whats going on and I guess its just a wait and see thing.

Thank you

[CalGal]

Darlene, if you're not sticking to a low fat diet you may want to consider doing so. Some people have problems processing fats after the surgery and in trying to consume them it can cause a fair amount of discomfort.