Post-Operative Care After Gallbladder Surgery
You can lead a healthy everyday life after your gallbladder has been removed. It may take a few days or even a few weeks after your surgery to get back to normal.
After the Surgery
After you have your gallbladder surgery, there should be little pain. Your abdomen will be sore and also the tiny incision sites. You could even have shoulder pain for a couple of days. The shoulder pain is caused by the gas that has remained in your abdomen during your operation. It will go away on its own.
When you are discharged for home, you will be given pain medication. The pain medication is to make you more comfortable once you’re in your home. As you continue to heal your pain, the need for pain medication should decrease.
Then, just taking an over-the-counter medication should suffice for pain. The amount of pain you will depend on your pain tolerance and how your body responds to pain. You might just require Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Caring for Your Wound
After your operation, under your right ribs will be three minor wounds. There will be one also at your belly button area. Also, dissolvable stitches are used to close these wounds most of the time. It would be best if you kept the stitch area clean. So, bathing and showering are done only when the bandages are removed.
You need to check the stitches every day. If there is bleeding or redness in these areas, you need to contact your doctor. But, if there is bruising around the stitch area, don't worry. This is normal. Keep the site dry and clean and change the bandages daily.
Diet After Surgery
Due to anesthesia, you should eat/drink clear liquids for the first 24 hours. You should eat a low-fat diet for two weeks after surgery and stay well hydrated.
You can eat what you want after having surgery. Still, many people find out that bland foods for the initial recovery period are the best option. Rice, toast, bananas, pasta, soups, etc., are easy to digest. After your recovery period, you'll be able to eat most foods without a problem.
You should eat smaller meals at first instead of just a few bigger meals.
If diarrhea is a problem, you may want to avoid dairy products, fatty foods. You can also monitor your food to see what food is causing the issue and then don't eat them. But if diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks, please discuss it with your doctor.
On the other hand, if you become constipated after your surgery, you should take a stool softener twice a day separately, plus a daily laxative if needed.
Be sure that you go to your follow-up appointment since it's a vital issue to your treatment and safety. If you're having problems, call your doctor immediately.
References:
https://thesurgicalclinics.com/what-to-expect-after-gallbladder-removal-surgery/
https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=ug3371
