Gallbladder surgery - complications afterwards

[Snowflakey]

Worried for my daughter. She had emergency surgery to remove her gallbladder on Feb. 13th. The hospital wasn't able to get to a gallstone so they put in a drainage tube and she had to wait until Feb. 16th to have it done at a "bigger" hospital. They said that procedure would take about an hour and it was only 22 minutes from when they took her down for the procedure until when she was back and already talking. Strange. She went home after the procedure and went back 4 hours later to the ER. Long story short, she got pancreatitis and they believe an infection although she didn't have the typical symptoms of an infection. They kept saying she looks so good?? So, a week in the hospital with some top shelf (as they said) antibiotics she finally went home Feb. 26th. They finally took the drainage tube out before she left and she had to keep a bandage on it and change it several times a day from the drainage, which I believe was bile. That is now stopped and closed up.

Its been two weeks and she still has pain in that area. She went today for blood work and her liver levels are high. She is now waiting for a CT Scan. They are having her drink a barium drink before doing the scan.

Wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what could be going on? Reading online only scares me. Really the only symptom she has is pain in that area of her gallbladder/liver.

Please say a prayer for her. She is such an amazing daughter. She and her husband have three kids ages 3 and under so she's a busy Mom and she also is a 3rd grade teacher. Just a blessing she is.

 

[cedricandsophie]

So sorry for what is happening. I had my gallbladder out in September on an emergency basis because of the pain, like a knife being pushed into your stomach constantly. No problems at all after.

My sister in law had a gallstone that migrated to her liver and was infected. She was in the hospital 4 days. . I can’t remember what the dr did exactly but they put a stent in and waited several weeks before she was eligible to get her gallbladder out. But it eventually was removed and she’s doing fine.

The drs always say that gallbladders are an easy fix. But obviously there’s something else going on with your daughter. Not sure where you live but I would definitely go for a second opinion at a teaching hospital somewhere if this isn’t resolved soon. Hopefully she has the best gastroenterologist in the area.

 

[LuvOrlando]

This must be very upsetting.

If I was her or if it was my child I'd get a caregiver for her kids and walk into the biggest hospital Emergency Room (read best rated hospital who can intervene) she can reach and let them evaluate. If she needs emergency help a big ER visit cuts through a ton of red tape to fasttrack into the system. Small facilities usually can't absorb sudden surgical problems and the equipment is usually outdated, as in the MRI at a big hospital will probably be much newer/clearer/better. In general, I avoid sticking with the same healthcare group to correct a bad move, human cronyism can sometimes interfere with care so that's the second part of why impartial fresh eyes are usually helpful for the person seeking care.

 

[Snowflakey]

This must be very upsetting.

If I was her or if it was my child I'd get a caregiver for her kids and walk into the biggest hospital Emergency Room (read best rated hospital who can intervene) she can reach and let them evaluate. If she needs emergency help a big ER visit cuts through a ton of red tape to fasttrack into the system.

Yes, the hospital she was admitted at is our biggest. It is a well rated Trauma 1 medical center.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Yes, the hospital she was admitted at is our biggest. It is a well rated Trauma 1 medical center.

DId she walk into the ER yet? I'd do that if not because it always brings other eyes in

 

[RogueX]

I had my gallbladder out a month after having my daughter (got gallstones when I was pregnant), 17 years ago, and still get pain.

Sadly, no one mentioned to me that it could be a sphincter issue that would be a permanent issue.

I hope your daughter gets better soon, the pain is terrible.

 

[Snowflakey]

I had my gallbladder out a month after having my daughter (got gallstones when I was pregnant), 17 years ago, and still get pain.

Sadly, no one mentioned to me that it could be a sphincter issue that would be a permanent issue.

I hope your daughter gets better soon, the pain is terrible.

Did you ever have bloodwork done afterwards and have your liver levels elevated like my DD's is?

 

[Snowflakey]

DId she walk into the ER yet? I'd do that if not because it always brings other eyes in

No because her surgeon is the one on top of this having blood work and CT scan done today

 

[RogueX]

Did you ever have bloodwork done afterwards and have your liver levels elevated like my DD's is?

Yes and they were elevated a bit. I've had so many scans, ultrasounds, etc. and there's never been anything found. I will add, however, I've never had an infection.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

I had pancreatitis and a gallbladder infection with gall stones I was in the ICU for 6 days before they could take the gallbladder and stones out. They had to wait for the pancreatitis inflection to clear before they could do surgery. I still had pain in the area for a good months after and still get winces of pain from time to time and mine was taken 16 years ago.
It sounds like perhaps she had a pancreas infection brewing and perhaps they didn't catch that before they took the gallbladder.
I hope she recovers soon!

 

[debknight]

Was anything found out, Snowflakey?

 

[Snowflakey]

Was anything found out, Snowflakey?

The CT scan showed fluid still near the pancreas and also some near where the drainage tube was. This, the surgeon says, is normal with what she's been through (gallbladder removal and pancreatitis). Also, it is worth noting that the fluid has decreased some from the last CT scan she had when she was in the hospital.

The other finding was an enlarged liver. This "could" be normal given what she has just been through but her surgeon is monitoring this closely. She goes back in a week for a liver panel blood test. Meets with her surgeon the week after. Her primary doctor is also setting up a virtual meeting with a liver specialist who will review everything including the fact she's had three pregnancies and she contracted Cholestasis the last trimester in all three. I know without a doubt there is a relationship between that and all she's recently been through.....

 

[disney212]

I had mine out in 1996 after it ruptured. I got pancreatitis and had 2 ercp procedures along with drainage tubes (2) to keep the fluid away from the pancreas. During second ercp procedure a shunt was installed to allow stones to pass from the pancreas to my stomach. You can still get stones after having your gallbladder removed. I was in the hospital for almost 5 months due to the damage from the rupture and all that went along with that including 200 staples in my abdomen so mine is a rare story. I made a complete recovery. No long term issues except the scars.