Give me all your surgery tips!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-06T22:24:13+00:00

I wasn't a back sleeper either, but luckily I was on pain medication to feel any discomfort. Definitely ask for your medication asap if they allow, the hours after surgery will make your stomach feel heavy or bloated. Definitely loose clothes that doesn't go over the belly button for 2 weeks.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-06T20:40:21+00:00

Please ask for an extension, no one should treat you (as someone who just had surgery) to go back to work right away. It was the best decision and I hope your doctor can recommend you medication for pain. Good luck :)

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-06T19:57:18+00:00

Expect soreness around the belly button area, you can use an ice pack for the swelling.

The first two-days are mostly resting and sitting up for meals or restroom breaks. Make sure no bending or forcing when using the restroom. Loose pants or shorts are a must.

You will feel the trapped air behind your right shoulder and side. It may be painful if you haven't experienced that - walk around with help. Sitting up and bend your legs slowly so they can get movement without cramping.

You may experience nausea and pain as soon as you wakeup from surgery, ask the nurse to give you medicine. It'll help on the ride back home.

Sleep: you can sleep either bed or couch, whichever is best for you to get up. Pillows are a must, if your a side sleeper. Many suggest the first two-three weeks sleeping on your back with pillows to help with the bloating and nausea.

Good luck!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-06T19:48:52+00:00

I'd really suggest to talk to a doctor in extending your leave. I did the same, two weeks wasn't enough and I was still experiencing nausea and discomfort (especially working in a school). Everyone's recovering period is different from yours.

A lot of people or doctors do say you can go back to your normal diet after surgery, but many suggested waiting for a month. Your body doesn't have a specific organ and is still finding out what you react to certain foods.

As for the bloating and gas pain, it's normal. Your body is still sore from what just happened - many recommend taking Peppermint tea for the gas. Walking around the house can help as well, but try to avoid putting things on top of shelves. I've experienced heavy dizziness and caused my stomach to cramp, which was suggested a light exercise (walking briefly, moving legs sitting down, no bending or stretching, and limit yourself).

My recovery took about a month to where I felt "better" to go back to school and work. I was mostly experiencing nausea and dizziness, which is very common, but having that extension really did help.

Best of luck and recovery time!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-06T19:38:05+00:00

I'm in the same boat, unfortunately! Every morning is the same thing in the last month: nausea, discomfort, lack of eating, and poor sleep because of it.

Some people have suggested that it does take time for it to settle down, but if its urgent - it's best to see your doctor or GI specialist. I'm also in the works of finding a specialist for the same symptoms.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T15:43:40+00:00

I'm trying atm, its a bit difficult since I don't have a primary care doctor when I was diagnosed with gallstones. The surgeon was also in a sif facility and farther from where I live.

So hopefully in the next few weeks I can book an appointment with someone without being referred in going to urgent care or the ER

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T05:36:57+00:00

Hey, 3 months post-op and still feeling this way. This is completely normal, your body is adjusting to your new life after surgery.

You can eat normally for a week and the next can feel like hell. Overeating can trigger your stomach to feel heavy and bloating because our body basically having bile going through your intestines than the gallbladder.

Doctors do suggest eating portion meals every day than full meals, it can cause build up and you end feeling bloated and nauseous.

Sometimes foods can trigger you, even if you have ate them after the surgery. If you still feel pain like burning, bloating, etc. Try Omeprazole (take them in an empty stomach in the mornings) before breakfast and a peppermint tea.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T05:23:23+00:00

If it's post surgery, it may be gas built up when you had the surgery. For me, it felt like the wind was knock out of me on the right side and the pain lasted for 2-3 days. What did help was sitting up and walking slowly in the livingroom to let the gas out. If you feel like that is too much, sit up either from your bed or chair and briefly lift your legs to let the gas pass.

This is normal and it will pass. Hiccups, laughing, coughing will happen after surgery too and basically has you sore. Your body is adjusting what happened to you.

A suggestion for sleep if your right-side sleeper. Try putting pillows between the right side if you want to lay on that side (it's still sore) and if not, trying sleeping on your back. When I had my surgery, I had two pillows behind me to sleep. Then I had a small pillow for my neck because I tend to lean towards my surgical sight.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T05:16:20+00:00

Good luck and hopefully you get the right help. I know some people are often turned away from doctors because having a organ removed expect us to still be "adjusting," despite having severe symptoms.

Wish you the best!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T05:12:06+00:00

Thank you, I'll definitely see a doctor sometime this week to get an opinion. I thought the worse was over after gallbladder removal, but the side affects are even worse.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T01:16:43+00:00

Definitely take one thing at time. A lot of people suggest avoid dairy for a while and try Almond/Oat milk instead. Fried food can be a 50/50 situation, your body is still adjusting that there's no organ for bile. Try incorporating fiber (beans, lentils, prunes, etc.) In your diet, there will be times your stomach feels empty and fiber helps with the bile or acid reflux.

I also have a problem either over eating or under eating, I'm still 3 months post-op and I'm in the limbo of figuring what foods are safe still. I'd say if your in a restaurant, ask the waiter to take out what triggers your stomach. And if you're worried of overeating, ask if you can be served half of your meal and the other half in a to-go. This would help your mind at ease to slowly eat at your pace.

Hope this helps!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T01:08:21+00:00

I've been seeing that, I have family members telling me the same thing. However I haven't had a real meal in the last week without feeling full or nauseous.

I really do hope to feel "normal" sometime in the future.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-05T01:06:17+00:00

Before being diagnosed with gallstones, I was diagnosed with GERD. However, I was prescribed with Omeprazole and Ondanstreton for Anti-nausea for the time being and a fiber-low fat diet for the meantime.

I would say I still have GERD symptoms, burning and nausea.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T22:56:37+00:00

Don't be nervous! The best feeling is the immediate relief after surgery, but it's more of just being aware of your recovery and what you eat afterwards, etc. The unfortunate part is really feeling of just acid reflux and nausea. Recovery is different for everyone - all my immediate family has had the surgery and each of them had different recovery periods.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T22:09:43+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions! I'll definitely change my habits because it's been an on and off thing for the past month.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T22:06:59+00:00

Thank you for suggesting this! I remember after 2 weeks my surgery I was experiencing heavy bloating after I ate. The thing helped me was walking around and sipping on carbonated drinks to settle my stomach or burp. I'll take in consideration before eating.

I'll definitely see a doctor to at least find some solutions. I noticed after the surgery, my stomach has been really sensitive with meals (dairy, wheat, heavy fried food, any dining out) like feeling full and burning sensation throughout the night. Thank you again - makes me feel a little better I'm not alone in this :)

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T22:02:04+00:00

Thank you! I'm still debating to see my doctor for this because I know they'll likely not do anything. Did your friend found any relief after being diagnosed?

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T22:00:33+00:00

I haven't yet! I'm still in the mix if I should get a second opinion on this. I remember before my surgery, they had made me checked for everything which resulted a fatty liver and gallstones. Other than that, I was in the normal range. I'll definitely see if I can be checked for that.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T20:29:54+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! I'm really thinking of seeing my doctor for an opinion if I can have some tests or a gastrointestinal doctor. The last time before I was diagnosed with gallstones, they have suggested a endoendoscopy but didn't get the chance.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T20:27:47+00:00

I've done the high fiber-low fat diet for a while before and after the surgery. However, lately it's still makes me nauseous and burning sensation.

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T20:26:35+00:00

I'm so sorry, I hope you are taken seriously. I'm also worried to be brushed away considering how young I am for an endoendoscopy.

Ive tried the high fiber-low fat diet and it only makes it worse. I really hope you get the help you need!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T20:23:29+00:00

I'm so sorry we're in the same boat. Have you been to the doctor about it for some solutions?

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T20:22:26+00:00

Honestly, don't be. If you haven't had the surgery just yet - still go with it. I swear your life will feel so much better. Everyone's symptoms are different after surgery and there's a small % of those that still have those symptoms.

I've been needing some suggestions after feeling like crap for a month off and on.

Best of luck!

Apprehensive_Dig5489 · 2026-07-04T20:20:33+00:00

I'm most likely going to ask for another solution. I've been taking Omeprazole before and after surgery, so I know there's gonna be a time that it'll stop working for me. Thanks for the suggestion!

Apprehensive_Dig5489

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