gallbladder surgery

[sistergirl55]

Aug 9, 2011 I had gallbladder surgery and went home on 8-10-11(I am 59 years old). On 8-14-11 I returned to the ER with shortness of breath(have COPD -but well controlled on meds), bad pain in abdomen and bad bruising from mid-way my right breast to the top of my right thigh). I learned from my family that I was in recovery far longer than usual - could not be excubated after surgery).After being readmited it was discovered that I had fluid in my abdomen and in my lungs. 325cc of amber-colored fluid was drawn from my right lung and 650cc of dark blood (no frank blood-whatever that means)drawn from my abdomen. Also was told I had a low hemoglobin of 8.8 and pneumonia. Test also said I had no current evidence for bile leak. I was given a blood transfusion and to this day no one can explain to me where the blood came from. According to the Dr I had a small leak of blood from my umbilical port but was repaired and well irrigated during surgery and there were no other leaks. A day later another 550cc of fluid was drawn from right lung. After 2 more days I was sent to a rehab center on oxygen and 4 days later returned to ER because my blood count was still low and rehab could not handle that kind of problem. 4 days later I returned to rehab. By then I can barely walk and am on oxygen 24/7. I was finally released from rehab on 9-3-11 with a walker and oxygen tank. By the time I got home there was an Oxygen Co. there with a concentrator and 4 more oxygen tanks. A nurse and physical therapist came to my home. 3 times for the therapist and 1 time for the nurse and that was that. My Pulmonary Dr. has no idea how long I will be on this oxygen. I am doing everything he tells me to do-exercise, meds,breathing exercises, etc.) I have no life, marriage falling apart, can barely care for myself and please can someone tell me why the insurance company forces people to have to push those stupid tanks around when there are other alternatives(portable concentrators). Please help me understand what happened to me.I am still having some stomach pain, urination problems, disgusting smelling stools and terrible pains in my back in the area where the incision was made to draw the fluid from my lung. I have read some of the reports of my surgery and I keep coming accross different information about my liver that I do not understand (liver mentioned  too many times for my liking). My PCP have had some test done but can not find anything wrong. My Surgeon will not communicate with me anymore. I have not even seen him since the surgery only his associates and they have no answers. Is pneumonia and unexplained bleeding (which some how repaired itself) some of the common complications of this surgery????  PLEASE HELP ME ...      
DARLENE

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Try to avoid any further infections or seek help early if you have signs of infection like fever or cough. Follow your doctor's advice and continue with inhalers. To improve lung function practice breathing exercises and quit smoking. Wish you luck.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[sistergirl55]

Hello     I got logged out before I could finish. ... I went to this forum on line at Earth Clinic and there is debate as to whether drinking  food grade hydrogen peroxide and purified water would help with COPD. Also is COPD an inflammation and can colloidal silver and mucolyxir help. What do you think about the small lung machines like Expand-A-Lung and Ultrabreathe. Am at the point I will try almost anything to feel better but only if it makes sense. Please help if you know anything about these remedies.    Thanks Again

[sistergirl55]

Hello  I am still on 24/7 oxygen. When I am sitting down after a few minutes I can take it off for a while but as soon as I get up and take a few steps I can't breath, must put it back on immediately. My meds stop working, I have used Spiriva, symibocort and Advair. They all made my breathing worse. The only thing that seems to help for any length of time is my Xopenex inhaler, even using the xopenex solution in my nebulizer sometimes makes me feel congested. I have been feeling so short of breath that I exercise very little and I know that is not helping matters. I go back to see my Pulmonary Dr. next month but he doesn't seem to be that interested in whats happening "just keep using your meds and exercise". I was

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Post gall bladder surgery there is likely to be fatty food intolerance, hence the abdominal pain and discomfort. Try to avoid all fatty and oily food. Good breathing exercises and bronchodilators may help with your COPD symptoms.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[sistergirl55]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my message. My PCP  had blood test run already and everything says ok.She believes there was a leak somewhere and it healed on it own. I quess I will never know what really happened to me. I still have bad stomach pains off and on and am still on 24/7 oxygen. My COPD went from managerable before surgery to dibilitating  after surgery. I still have high hopes to get off this oxygen soon. Hope you and yours had a great Holiday.         Thank You   Darlene

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

There could have been post surgical complications. Usually the lungs do not expand fully immediately after surgery, this is because due to pain the patient does not take deep breaths. The fluid collection may indicate an infection or a leak. But persisting infection now can be diagnosed with blood tests, x rays and an ultrasonography. Therapy can be based on this.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.