Gallbladder disease occurs often in overweight people between ages 35 and 55. It also affects many pregnant women regardless of weight or age. Most gallbladder surgeries are done laparoscopically and recovery is normally simple. There are exceptions, however, and sometimes infections and other problems can develop.
Normal Pain
After surgery normal pain includes pressure in the right shoulder blade. This is due to the gas used to inflate the abdomen during surgery and can be relieved by rotating the shoulder.
Incision Sites
Gallbladder surgery usually consists of three to four small incisions. These can swell up or leak fluid after surgery. This is usually normal unless extreme pain persists.
Continued Pain
Persistent pain could mean that gallstones were left behind causing inflammation or infection in the pancreas. This will require a follow-up ultrasound to check for additional stones.
Other Warning Signs
High fever and bleeding from incision site are signs of a possible infection or other problem with the surgery. A doctor should be consulted immediately in these cases.
Jaundice
Jaundice is a sign that the surgery has gone wrong and the surgeon has unintentionally damaged the liver. Yellow skin is a sign of major infection and other problems that must be addressed immediately, as this can be fatal.
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