Follow-Up Care Post Gallbladder Surgery-By Gallstone Surgeon

If your gallbladder has been removed, you may have been preoccupied with the procedure and its preparation. But knowing how to care for yourself after undergoing the surgery is equally important.

In this blog, the best gallstone surgeon in Kolkata will share three helpful tips to take care of yourself after undergoing gallbladder removal surgery.

Allow time for healing

While everyone’s recovery time is different, your body can take 1-3 weeks to recover from gallbladder surgery. You may experience the following symptoms while recovering:

• Stomach ache

• Sore throat caused by the breathing tube

• Bruising at the site of the incision

• Vomiting and nausea

You may also experience pain in your upper back and shoulders due to the gas used to inflate your belly during surgery to improve visibility. This discomfort may last for up to a week.

It’s also common to have loose stools after eating. This side effect can last 4-8 weeks or longer, says the laparoscopic gallbladder surgeon in Kolkata.

Keep moving

You’ll need to rest after your surgery, but that doesn’t mean you should spend the next three weeks watching TV sitting on your couch. In most cases, you should only require complete rest for the first 24 hours. 

Following that, you should try to get up and walk as much as possible. Being active may even aid in your recovery. Your body will alert you when you’ve reached your limit, so pay attention and rest when it does.

For a while, you may need to limit how much you lift. Doctors recommend that patients should refrain from lifting more than 10-15 pounds for up to 6 weeks to allow their incision sites to heal and avoid injuries, says the surgical gastroenterologist in Kolkata.

Modify your diet

Doctors generally advise patients to resume their normal diet once they return home, but modifications may be required depending on what you consider your normal diet.

Your gallbladder serves as a storage facility for bile, a substance produced in your liver that aids in fat digestion. You may need to limit your fat intake until your digestive system adjusts after removing your gallbladder.

Consumption of fried or fatty foods may result in abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Instead, fill your plate with low-fat, fiber-rich foods. Doctors suggest:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables

• Whole grains

• Poultry, seafood, or lean red meats

Over time, your liver will compensate for the loss of your gallbladder by delivering bile directly into your small intestine to aid in fat digestion.Keep your meals small at first to avoid overburdening your digestive tract. You should also drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep things moving, says the best gallstone surgeon in Kolkata.