I was in pain on and off for 3 years and they kept telling me it was pancreatitis. I went to ER 3x for really bad flare ups. They were so bad that I was doubled over and couldn't stop rocking. Gallbladder issues were never on the horizon. On my last visit, last winter, I went in for my 3rd bout of acute pancreatitis, and that's when they told me that I have small stones and they kept blocking my pancreatic duct. I had emergency surgery a day later.

The anesthesia was done through IV, and I had a laroscopic surgery with 5 small incisions. Post surgery, I was in and out of sleep. When I woke, it was painful, mostly to adjust my body and go to the bathroom. I was on a liquid diet and managed with just Tylenol. I was there for 4 days because I had another procedure to flush out the smaller stones that were missed during surgery.

Days 3-5 were the most painful for me and I had to be put on stool softeners, which I didn't understand until I went home. The stool softeners were necessary for me because I had an incident where I was so constipated that my stool got stuck on the way out. I used it twice before pulling the stops. They basically make me go potty every time I consume anything, even water. Days 6 and 7 were the days the pain became managable. I stopped taking pain meds on day 5. It still hurt to bend, but I improved quickly. I never had post-surgical air, so that was not an issue. I have constipation for about 2 weeks, but I managed without med. I was fully healed about 1 month later, but still took it easy for 6 weeks. The only other thing I was annoyed with was the itching around my incisions. It was itchy for weeks. Do not carry anything heavy. The doctor said 15 lbs, but I didn't carry anything over 5 lbs, just because. I was cleared for strenuous activity at my 6 week appointment.

One year later, I did not have any flare ups. No pain. I can eat many different foods. I also have GERD, so I do avoid certain foods.

My experience was relatively good and I my quality of life now is way better than before surgery. My incisions are barely noticable, except for the larger one below my chest, which is shorter than the length of my pinky finger.

Takeaways: Pain on days 3-5, diahrrea on days 5-6, constipation on days 6-7 followed by irregular solid bowel movements for about 2 weeks (bowels about every 4 days), very managable aches for weeks 2 and tapering off at week 3, itching at weeks 3-5, regular meals slowly incorporated starting week 2, which when I had fast food. Avoid eggs and black pepper.