Recovery After Gallbladder Surgery 

What To Expect After Gallbladder Removal Surgery

There's a name for this phenomenon: postcholecystectomy syndrome, or "after gallbladder removal surgery syndrome." There has been some research done that indicates as many of 4 out of 10 people suffer discomfort after gallbladder removal surgery for months or even years. This happens due to the fact that the bile duct, which has not been removed, still accumulates bile.

Here's what to expect after gallbladder removal surgery for the first few days.

You're going to feel some bruising and swelling. This is not surprising when you think about it. Even if you've had laparoscopic surgery, which is much less invasive than a large open incision, your body is still feeling traumatized.

Also, you may feel some pain caused by the air that was puffed into your abdomen during surgery. This is done to give the surgeon more room to work under your skin. Don't be concerned.

Your doctor will probably prescribe medication to help you get through any pain you're experiencing.

Keep in mind that it's probably going to be uncomfortable moving around, especially sitting down or getting up from a sitting position. This may be especially true when it comes to "bathroom time." If there's someone you can call on to help, you'll save yourself some pain until the muscles in your abdomen recover. Those muscles will be pretty sore for a few days at least.

Speaking of bathrooms, there's a possibility you're going to have to deal with some diarrhea, gas and bloating for a while. Some people get constipation. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it happens to enough people after gallbladder surgery that you should be aware of it. Talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe something.

Your digestive system may be unpredictable for a while. This is normal. You'll probably do well eating low fat or fat-free, light foods only. See our article on a healthy low fat gallbladder diet plan.

It's also a good idea to eat smaller meals rather than larger ones. This will keep the pressure off your internal organs, lessening the risk of pain or discomfort. But definitely make sure you eat, because again, your body is recovering from a trauma. It needs fuel to regain its strength.

You can start testing your digestive system with heavier foods. It's probably best to use a trial-and-error approach.

Exercise can be helpful, but be careful not to overdo it. If you were an enthusiastic exerciser before your surgery, you may be eager to get going again. Train yourself to be patient. Take short walks at first. This helps your circulation, which of course aids in the healing process.

Be mindful of your stitches. Follow your doctor's recommendations closely on this. Ask your doctor about bathing because stitches need time to heal and washing them too soon can cause damage.

Typically, you can expect a follow up appointment with your doctor about one week after gallbladder removal surgery. He or she will probably want to see you again 4-5 weeks later.