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What to Expect After Gallbladder Surgery — Before, During, and After
What to Expect After Gallbladder Surgery — Before, During, and After

Gallbladder surgery is never an easy operation to undergo. The patient will have to experience several delicate procedures which will prohibit them from participating in physical activities during post-operation. A lot of uncomfortability can be expected for a person who was just ridded of a gallbladder.


That being said, knowing what to expect after gallbladder surgery will help you figure out ways to make the entire process easier for yourself or a loved one.

The Immediate Effects of Gallbladder Surgery

Getting your gallbladder removed may cause different digestive problems. Observing a low-fat diet during post-operation will help a lot as your body is expected to have difficulty digesting fatty foods.. You may also have temporary diarrhea or constipation since the organ responsible for regulating the flow of bile into your small intestine has already been removed. And in some cases, retaining some stones in your duct is also possible. When this happens, the flow of the bile into your small intestine is blocked; resulting in pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and jaundice.

This is why life after open surgery is considered a challenge by many. The good news is, according to medical professionals, gallbladder is one organ that you can live without. However, if you or your loved ones experience the immediate effects of gallbladder surgery, it is mainly advisable to contact your doctor right away as digestive problems after the surgery may be an indication of a serious complication. These are some of the most common things a person might experience immediately right after a gallbladder surgery.

Discomfort and Abdominal Pain

Right after a gallbladder surgery, it is totally normal that the patient will experience pain all over the abdominal area. Some people even feel the mild pains up to 2-3 months right after the surgery. With proper care and medication, it will eventually resolve over time. However, if the pain persist or worsening, never hesitate to talk to your doctor to be advised for the proper action to be taken.

Difficulty Moving and Performing Usual Physical Activities

You just have an organ removed from your body. It can only be expected that alongside the pain, having mild to moderate issues and inhibitions on your physical movements should be expected. It is advised to move calmly and slowly as well as avoid sudden movements that might aggravate the wound and prevent it from healing faster. A personal assistant like a nurse or a family member would provide the much needed help of the patient during this period of recovery.

Temporary Diarrhea and Digestive Problems

The gallbladder is the organ that regulates the flow of bile into the intestines, thus, having it removed means that there is no control valve for the bile as it continually flows into your system. This condition will often lead to diarrhea that may last for the first few days right after your gallbladder surgery. However, there is still no need to be alarmed as this is all considered normal for those who underwent gallbladder surgery. If this symptom worsen or last more than a week, don’t hesitate to call your doctor for advice.

If not diarrhea, other patients experience constipations right after the gallbladder surgery. This might be caused by the pain medications they are taking. Again to be safe, you can call your doctor for an advice.

Nausea and Vomiting

In some cases after a gallbladder removal surgery, a gallstone might remain in your bile duct and can block the normal flow of bile towards your small intestines. When this happens, the patient will experience nausea, vomiting, bloating, heartburns and jaundice right after the surgery. Contact your doctor immediately when these symptoms occur to avoid worsening of the problem.

Intestinal Injuries

This scenario is very rare but sometimes, the procedure and the instruments used during your gallbladder surgery can damage your intestines. The chance of this happening is very rare but is not unheard of. Symptoms such as fever, nausea and vomiting like the ones mentioned above might also signal a more serious problem. Post-surgical symptoms like this after a gallbladder removal needs immediate professional care and attention.

Efficiently Dealing With the Discomfort caused by Post-Gallbladder-Surgery

Right after a gallbladder surgery, your ability to digest fat is greatly reduced, therefore, it is advised to avoid fatty foods. Professionals often suggests some form of a low-fat diet routine which you can use. Eat small but frequent meals consist if possible with fruits and vegetables.

A personal assistant to help attend your needs as well as provide physical support will greatly help in speeding up your recovery.  Furthermore, applying castor oil packs on the area of surgery will help reduce inflammations. Lastly, make a scheduled appointment with your doctor to keep track of your recovery process.

Finding the Best Weight Loss Surgery

Here in Long Island, NY, there is one trusted weight loss surgeon who has changed the lives of patients with obesity through successful weight loss surgery. Dr. Arif Ahmad, recognized as one of the top surgeons in America, has dedicated his career to transforming patients’ lives by providing the best weight loss surgery and advanced surgical procedures. His expertise and experience in this field have improved many lives and he continues to provide safety and success in all surgeries he performs.

His team of medical doctors and staff are on hand to guide patients all throughout the weight loss surgery process. Before performing any surgical procedures, Dr. Arif Ahmad will sit with you to discuss your condition and provide all necessary information about the best procedure that is suitable for you. Complete evaluation and pre-surgery tests will be conducted to ensure that your body is ready for the surgery.

While there are a number of certified weight loss surgeons in Long Island, NY, you must keep in mind that not all can perform the different procedures. Dr. Arif Ahmad specializes in minimally invasive surgery, a cutting edge surgical procedure done with small incisions, resulting in minimal pain, less scarring, and faster recovery. This type of surgery will help you go back to your normal routine and work in a very short span of time.

To have a better understanding of what procedure is best for you and how weight loss surgery can save you thousands of dollars in the long run, contact us today to book an appointment.