I get occasional pains under my ribs at the right, where my gall bladder used to be...but nothing much and definitely diminishing over time. (Had op in 2009).
GP said she thought it was slight nerve damage caused during the op.
I know it seems I am jumping the gun but the pains in my back I never had before the surgery and it feels like it is strangling me ( I know that sounds odd) and the pain in the side is like a really bad stitch
I had this done several years ago - as i remember it did take a few weeks for the pain to go completely. It was just the odd twinge and not severe pain but I think the problem with keyhole surgery is that you almost forget that you have to heal inside too. Having said that it was just such a relief not to get the dreadful pain of the gallstones any more :D
My son in law had his gallbladder out two weeks ago, after a lot of complications. This week he was having trouble to lift his arm and keep it there without holding it up with the other hand. Also his side that side of his body was shaped different. Went to doctor and is now having to go and see about physio on it. But other than that had no idea why it has gone like that.
lilachen........Google...." the long thoracic nerve of Bell" and that will give you the answer to your SIL's problem, A known complication of gall bladder surgery.
Cheerschuck....that is also nerve irritation, but a different one to the example above. It will subside over the next few weeks.