What Helps Back Pain After Gallbladder Surgery

Tips For Avoiding Discomfort After Gallbladder Removal

Your gallbladder plays an important role in your digestion, but you rarely pay attention to it until problems arise. This small, pear-shaped organ stores bile made in your liver that helps you digest food and break up fats. When you have gallbladder problems, you often experience several digestive symptoms, including:

• Bloating after eating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Having a feeling of fullness

While you can live a normal and healthy life without your gallbladder, you can still experience several uncomfortable digestive symptoms after your surgery

At South Shore Surgical in Valley Stream, New York, Dr. Ira Klonsky is a skilled general surgeon who provides both traditional and advanced laparoscopic techniques for gallbladder removal. He recommends these five simple tips to avoid experiencing continued digestive discomfort after your procedure.

Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Diet

For the initial few days after gallbladder surgery, you will need to follow a clear liquid diet .

You will then be able to gradually add solid foods back by following the BRAT diet, consisting of bread, white rice, applesauce, and toast.

It’s only once your stool is no longer liquid that you can gradually introduce regular solid foods. Its common for people to return to eating a normal diet within a month after gallbladder surgery.

The following diet guidance can help you make food choices as you recover. These are particularly important in the four weeks after gallbladder surgery. In some cases, they may be recommended beyond that.

Is Heat Or Ice Better After Gallbladder Surgery

Following gallbladder surgery, you may experience shoulder pain. It may be mild or severe. If it is severe, you should see a healthcare provider. If the pain is severe, you should take pain medication to ease the discomfort. It is possible that the pain can be caused by a gallbladder issue, so it is important to discuss this with your healthcare provider.

You should also rest. Although you might feel stiff after gallbladder surgery, rest is important for recovery. Doing gentle exercises may reduce your pain and prevent stiffness. It is important to avoid vigorous exercise while recovering. In fact, it may prolong your recovery time. Your doctor will likely recommend a restful period after gallbladder surgery to help you recover quickly.

You should call your health care provider if your shoulder pain persists or worsens. You may have bleeding or drainage. Your doctor will recommend that you do not bathe for at least the first two weeks. The water from a bath can get tissue glue wet.

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Causes And Risk Factors For Gallstones

Gallstones are more common in women than in men. They are also more common in overweight people and people with a family history of gallstones.There is no single cause of gallstones. In some people, the liver produces too much cholesterol. This can result in the formation of cholesterol crystals in bile that grow into stones. In other people, gallstones form because of changes in other components of bile or because the gallbladder does not empty normally.

For Those Who Are Suffering From Abdominal Pains After Gallbladder Surgery Theresuggestions That May Offer Some Relief

Gallbladder disorders are more of a modern disorder than an ancient one, one that has gotten progressively worst, when society experienced major changes in dietary choices and lifestyles. A recent study carried out at the University Hospital of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, found that the incidence of gallbladder surgery went up by 600 percent in that country alone when the people shifted from simpler, more traditional foods common with their nomadic lifestyle, to a more sedentary lifestyle that included all manner of âenriched,â sugar-laden, and fat-laden foods and snacks of the âdevelopedâ western world. The number of Americans suffering from gallbladder disease and gallbladder symptoms is an estimated twenty million.

The pain that often accompanies a gallbladder attack usually occurs after the consumption of a meal, but it does not happen with all meals.

This signifies that certain foods do have the ability to trigger an âattackâ more than others. This is, again, independent of whether the gallbladder is present or not.

For individuals with a gallbladder, one of the worst beverages they can drink when they suffer from gallbladder issues is coffee. Whether it is decaffeinated or not, coffee tends to aggravate any gallbladder pain by causing the gallbladder to contract.

Whether coffee has the potential to induce the same attack in an individual with no gallbladder, it is not known, but it should be avoided.

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Recovery From Open Surgery

Recovery from open surgery takes longer. A person can expect to stay in the hospital for 35 days after their operation. Hospitals require someone to pick up the individual to drive them home or take a taxi with them.

It can take 68 weeks to make a complete recovery from open surgery and return to normal activities.

Although gallbladder surgery is relatively common and safe, there are some possible side effects and complications.

Some potential issues may include:

• reactions to the anesthesia

if any gallstones remain in the bile duct. It may also occur if bile leaks into the stomach. The symptoms of PCS are similar to those of gallstones and include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and heartburn.

Anyone who notices any of the below symptoms after gallstone removal surgery should visit a doctor.

• pain that worsens or does not get better over time
• new abdominal pain
• an inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
• ongoing diarrhea
• yellowing of the skin, called jaundice

If a surgeon cannot remove the stones readily with maneuvers during the surgery, a person may need a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography . A gastroenterologist passes a camera down from the persons mouth up to the first part of their small intestine where the bile duct inserts. They then access the duct from there to try and remove the stones.

When To See A Doctor

Sometimes, its normal to have stabbing pain in stomach after gallbladder removal. Yet, if you notice any of the following, visit the nearby healthcare team right away:

• aggravating pain that doesnt get better with time or medication
• yellowish discoloration of your skin, sclera, or mucosa
• no bowel movement or gas release for more than 72 hours post-surgery
• persistent looseness of bowel habit

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What Are The Risks Of A Cholecystectomy

Some possible complications of a cholecystectomy may include:

• Injury to the tube that carries bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine

• Scars and a numb feeling at the incision site

• A bulging of organ or tissue at the incision site

During a laparoscopic procedure, surgical tools are put into your belly. This may hurt your intestines or blood vessels.

You may have other risks that are unique to you. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.

Traces Of Carbon Dioxide

During the surgery, air or carbon dioxide is pumped into the abdominal cavity. It is removed afterwards. But the left over traces of carbon dioxide can cause abdominal pain or back pain or right side pain after the surgery. The left over carbon dioxide causes bloating and uneasiness leading to stomach pain after the surgery.

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Recovery At Home After Surgery

• While resting at home, the patient needs to avoid constipation. To do so, it is suggested to consume high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables to makes stool bulkier and softer, stay adequately hydrated by drinking enough water 8-10 glasses/ day and refrain from straining during bowel movement.
• To continuously promote mobilization and prevent blood clot formation, especially in the legs, the patient should gradually resume daily tasks and activities, starting from getting up and walking.
• Lifting heavy objects and strenuous exercise are not suggested for at least 4-6 weeks after surgery.
• Keep the surgical wound clean and follow surgeons instructions on how and when to replace the bandage.
• It seems common to have some minor bleeding from the incision. However, if it bleeds too much and the incision becomes moist, immediate medical assistance must be sought.
• To prevent wound irritation that largely interrupts wound healing process, avoid wearing tight or coarse clothes.

Stabbing Pain On Left Side After Gallbladder Removal

Why do I feel pain 5 weeks after gallbladder removal? Post-surgical pain is a crucial concern for many gallbladder removal patients. Every surgical approach has some grade of pain. Still, the discomfort with gallbladder removal is minimal.

Physicians may prescribe pain medicine following stabbing pain right side after gallbladder removal. Moreover, some patients present with shoulder pain after laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery.

This transient discomfort originates from gas stranded in your stomach during the operation. Even so, severe pain and cramping are unusual. If you have these signs, reach your doctor as soon as possible.

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Super Helpful Tips To Prevent Discomfort Post Gallbladder Surgery

If youre having your gallbladder removed, you may be focused on the procedure itself and on preparing for it. But knowing how to take care of yourself after your operation is just as important.

Here at Desert West Surgery in Las Vegas, well do everything we can to minimize your discomfort before, during, and after your gallbladder surgery. In this blog, we want to share three helpful tips you can use to stay comfortable after surgery.

Take Pain Medicines On Schedule

The key to pain management is to take your pain medicine as prescribed and on a regular schedule . It takes time for pain medicine to begin to work. If you miss a dose, you may experience greater pain while you wait for the medicine to take effect. As a general rule, its easier to prevent pain from getting worse than it is to treat pain once its bad. Write down when you take your pain medicine so you know when you should take the next dose.

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Be Patient With Yourself

Pain levels after gallbladder removal vary from person to person and with the different types of surgerylaparoscopic or open. And you may be more tired than you expect. You may feel better one day and slightly worse the next, especially if you over-exert yourself. Keep in mind that you will recover on your own timeline and your pain will eventually completely fade away.

Causes Of Trouble Sleeping After Gallbladder Surgery

Removal of your gallbladder can make resting difficult for a few days. The causes may vary according to why you needed your gallbladder removed in the first place, whether youre staying a few nights in the hospital, and which type of surgical procedure you had.

A small study published in 1990 showed that people who had an open gallbladder surgery under general anesthesia were more likely to lose sleep the following night than people who had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery under general anesthesia.

This same study concluded that in the first 2 to 4 nights after either type of surgery, your body will lose a significant amount of REM sleep, but that in the days afterward, your body will try to provide you with extra REM sleep to make up for it.

Causes may include:

• difficulty getting comfortable outside of your typical sleep position
• post-anesthesia insomnia

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Foods To Eat And Foods To Avoid

This list provides examples and is not a full review of all recommended/discouraged foods after gallbladder surgery. Take guidance from your healthcare provider as to what you can eat and when you can eat it.

As you shapeand re-shapeyour eating plans:

• Make smaller meals that you eat more often.
• Drink plenty of fluids, unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.
• Keep eating bland foods if you have an upset stomach.
• As you start to re-introduce fats, select foods with no more than 3 grams of fat per serving. Choose foods that contain healthy, unsaturated fat vs. saturated fat.

Taking Care Of Your Wound

We close any wounds with stitches or glue. Usually, we put a special skin glue on top of the wound. This does not need an extra dressing. With the skin glue, you can have a shower or bath as soon as you like, and gently pat the wounds dry.

Do not pick at the glue. It gently flakes off after 5 to 10 days.

If we use dressings, they are usually splash-proof. You can carefully wash or shower, but need to remove and replace the dressings if they get soaked.

There may be paper strips under a dressing. You can remove all dressings and strips a week after your surgery.

You may notice tingling, numbness and itching of the wound, and a hard lumpy feeling as the new scar tissues form. This is part of the normal healing process.

If you have stitches in the skin, they are usually dissolvable and do not need to be removed. Your nurse tells you if this is not the case.

You need to pat the wounds gently when drying. Do not rub the area.

Do not use creams or ointments on your wounds until they have fully healed. This prevents any delay in your wound healing.

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When To Call Your Healthcare Provider

If you experience any of the following as you progressively return to a normal diet, contact your healthcare provider:

• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Worsening or severe abdominal pain
• No bowel movement or inability to pass gas for more than three days after surgery
• Diarrhea that lasts more than three days after surgery

Allow Time For Healing

While everyones recovery is different, it can take your body 1-3 weeks to recover from gallbladder surgery. During your recovery, you may experience:

• Sore throat from the breathing tube
• Bruising at the incision site
• Nausea and vomiting

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

Its also not uncommon to experience loose stools after eating when youve had your gallbladder removed. This side effect can last 4-8 weeks and sometimes longer.

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Staying Away From Aggravating Factors

To remain as healthy as possible after surgery, it is highly recommended to:

• Stop smoking: Smoking increases the risk of problems during and after surgery. Quitting smoking at least 3-6 weeks before surgery can significantly decrease the rates of complications related to the surgery. Without smoke cessation prior to surgery, the anesthesiologists face additional challenges to control respiratory function while under the anesthesia, fighting against lungs compromised by smoking. This might lead to an increased risk of anesthesia complications. More importantly, besides poor wound healing process, smoking impairs heart function and disturbs normal heart rhythms, therefore it substantially increases risk of cardiac arrest or heart attack while operating.
• Avoid unhealthy diets: To prevent blood sugar fluctuations before and after surgery, the patients need to refrain from consuming high sugar diet. Electrolyte drinks containing sodium should be limited as it results in a fluid buildup and swelling. Unhealthy diet, e.g. raw, uncooked and fermented food as well as alcoholic beverages must be avoided.
• Relieve stress and anxiety: Not only physical health, but mental health also plays an important role in a successful surgery. If there is any concern related to surgery including pain management, discuss thoroughly with the surgeon. It remains crucial to stay worry-free and manage stress efficiently while following all instructions suggested by the surgeon.

When Is Gallbladder Surgery Needed

Gallbladder surgery is quite common. Doctors recommend this procedure when your gallbladder is causing you significant pain. If you have had recurring gallstones or bile blockages, your doctor may recommend having this surgery.

There are also times when gallbladder removal is performed as an emergency surgery in cases where you have inflammation or infection that is putting your other organs at risk.

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Sharp Pain In Liver Area After Gallbladder Removal

Post-cholecystectomy syndrome results in stabbing pain after gallbladder removal. Yet, it is identical to patients with cholecystitis before cholecystectomy. Some people share signs comparable to those caused by gallstones, including:

• a spiking body temperature
• yellowish discoloration of the sclera and skin

PCS is due to bile leakage into sites like the abdomen or leftover gallstones in the bile ducts. Post-cholecystectomy syndrome can present right after the operative period. But it can also manifest years later.

Certain factors make an individual more attainable to develop PCS. For example, acute surgery and the presence of cholelithiasis. Studies have evolved since the use of endoscopic procedures for diagnostic purposes. Still, PCS pathophysiology is not well understood.

When To Call The Doctor

• Your temperature is above 101°F .
• Your surgical wounds are bleeding, red or warm to the touch or you have a thick, yellow or green drainage.
• You have pain that is not helped with your pain medicines.
• It is hard to breathe.
• You have a cough that does not go away.
• You cannot drink or eat.
• Your skin or the white part of your eyes turns yellow.
• Your stools are a gray color.

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Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Timeline

Recovery after a cholecystectomy can be hard. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery performed. For example, recovery is much faster for a simple cholecystectomy compared to a radical cholecystectomy .

The recovery process may also vary depending on the reason for your gallbladder surgery. For example, if you had surgery due to gallstones, the recovery process of regaining your strength and getting back to a normal diet may be challenging. But if you had gallbladder surgery due to cancer or other chronic conditions, there may be quite a long road to recovery.

Recovery times are also different for a minimally invasive/laparoscopic surgery vs. an open surgery . After minimally invasive surgery, a person is often discharged the same day or the following day. The hospital stay after open surgery is two to four days longer, and overall recovery takes longer as well.

You can go up and down stairs on the day of your surgery. The next day, you may take your bandages off and take a shower.

You can expect to feel a little better each day after going home. If not, consult with your healthcare provider.

The first few days after you return home:

24 to 48 hours after surgery:

• You may take your bandages off and shower if your healthcare provider gives you the OK to do so. Be sure to gently pat the incision dry .
• Avoid taking a bath for the first two weeks or until you have your healthcare providers approval.

One to two weeks after surgery:

Four to six weeks after surgery: