Coughing, Chest And Back Pain, Metallic Taste In Mouth After Removal Of Gall Bladder. What Can Be Going On?

Posted on Mon, 27 Aug 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 Answered on

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago....since then I have had a slight cough, it is getting worse and now my chest and back hurt a little and the taste after I cough tastes like some sort of metal.......what can be going on? They did put me to sleep with a breathing tube.....

Answered by Dr. Arnab Maji (7 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Your problems suggest that we need to rule out certain post-operative complications. I would be grateful if you can answer the following questions:
1. Is there any fever associated with it?
2. Was it a laparoscopic surgery or open surgery?
3. Is cough associated with heart burn?
4. Was your pre-operative lung check-up normal?
5. Do you smoke?

Post-operatively lung infection, basal atelectasis, GERD or aggravation of underlying chest problems all are possibilities in this clinical set-up.

Once I have the answers, we’d be able to discuss this better

God bless .

Regards,
Dr. Arnab Maji

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli