What Causes Pain In The Ribs After A Cholecystectomy?

Posted on Wed, 7 Mar 2018

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

Wed, 7 Mar 2018 Answered on

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm having pains in my ribs after having my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago. I have read others having these same pains. I contacted my primary care doctor. He wants me to go to the ER. Do I need to go to the ER or will this pain pass?

Answered by Dr. Rishi (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It could be fluid in the chest. Get ultrasound done.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It is fairly common to have such problems after Cholecystectomy. I presume Surgery was done Laparoscopically.

This pain could be due to the gas inserted during the Surgery but that usually goes away in a few days.

Another reason could be fluid in your chest cavity.

For this, you should get an Ultrasound of the Chest and abdomen done to be sure.

Visit ER would be better to get the same done.

But in either condition, there is nothing to worry about as long as you don't have jaundice.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. Rishi, General Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng