Life after Gallbladder Surgery, or gallbladder removal, is also known as Cholecystectomy. This method is commonly used in treating serious problems related to the gallbladder. These problems are usually caused by gallstones. This procedure can include laparoscopic cholecystectomy (the standard procedure), and open cholecystectomy (this type of surgery is more invasive and older, compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy).
Types of Gallbladder Surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly used in treating conditions like gallbladder inflammation and many other problems caused by gallstones. This procedure has replaced open cholecystectomy; however, open cholecystectomy will be used in cases where the laparoscopic method is likely to have contraindications. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is preferred simply because open surgery can increase the chances of infection. In some cases, this procedure can even be converted to the other type (open cholecystectomy), if necessary.
An open cholecystectomy is a traditional procedure. Life after Gallbladder Surgery This type of surgery is older and it is no longer very popular. In this procedure, the surgeon will make an incision (five to seven inches in length), and remove the gallbladder. A patient will have to stay hospitalized for two or three days. The recovery will take several weeks. This type of surgery will leave a visible scar.
What Is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, small incisions will be made, and then, the operating ports will be inserted (these are very small tubes – usually five or ten mm in diameter). Now, these tubes will be used as paths through which other instruments will be inserted into the abdomen, along with a video camera that will take magnified images and send these to the monitor.
The surgeon will be able to see everything and he/she will perform this procedure by using the instruments inserted through the ports. Before this operation, anesthesia will be given to the patient. After this, the patient will be put on the operating table. A scalpel will be used in order to create a small incision. The abdominal cavity will be inflated (carbon dioxide will be used for this purpose).
After this, the camera will be put inside the abdomen, through the port. Other ports will be put under the ribs. The gallbladder fundus will be grasped, and after this, the incunabulum will be laterally retracted, opening the area between the common hepatic duct, the cystic duct, and the cystic artery. This area will be dissected in order to get a better view. Now, the cystic artery and the cystic duct will be cut. After this, the gallbladder will be removed. In most cases, this procedure does not take longer than one hour.
This surgery can be done through just one incision, which is considered one of the greatest advantages, compared to open cholecystectomy.
In laparoscopic surgery, no abdominal muscles will be cut, so the healing process will be faster and there will certainly be less pain. There will be no large scars and changes of complications will be significantly reduced. The patient will probably be able to go home the following day and go back to work in a week or so. Another good thing about this surgery is that it uses flexible instruments. The scar is almost invisible and the recovery time is short.
However, there can be certain complications, although these are rare. The bile duct can be injured. This duct connects the liver and gallbladder. The injury can cause a bile leak, which can lead to infection. However, if the injury is minor, it can be taken care of by using non-surgical methods. If the injury is severe, it has to be addressed immediately; otherwise, it can lead to serious problems. Such injuries are usually managed surgically.
After the surgery, the gallbladder will be sent for examination, so the diagnosis can be confirmed. In case there is cancer, another surgery may be required, in order to remove one part of the patient’s liver, as well as lymph nodes.
However, complications are truly rare. Some of the problems after the gallbladder removal can include abdominal pain along with gastrointestinal distress. Chronic diarrhea is another problem that may occur in some patients. However, these problems are likely to subside within several weeks.
People who have had this surgery will need to avoid certain types of food. Your doctor will tell you what foods to avoid and you will be given some remedies to use when necessary. You will be able to go back to work and other activities in a very short time. Life after gallbladder removal is not difficult at all; however, certain changes to your diet will have to be made.
Healthy gut flora has been shown to assist with mood, immune system, digestion, and more. When your gallbladder is removed, there’s also a decrease in certain bacteria that help with various bodily functions. This article explores some ways of restoring healthy gut flora after gallbladder removal as well as other possible health benefits.
Gallbladder disease is becoming increasingly common as the population ages and more people have shorter life expectancies than their predecessors did. But how do you live a life without a gallbladder?
Life After Gallbladder Removal Pros and Cons
Pros
- You’ll feel better
- You’ll have a stronger and healthier immune system
- You’ll have fewer medical issues
- You’ll weigh less
- You’ll have more energy
- You’ll look younger and feel healthier
- You’ll have fewer health problems, especially with your digestive system (diseases such as IBS, constipation, diarrhea
Cons
- You have to deal with the pain that comes after you’ve had the surgery.
- This can mess with your appetite or lead to binge eating.
- You’ll have to deal with the associated health problems that go along with removing a gallbladder.
- These are some of the best things you can expect after having your gallbladder removed. It is best to take gallbladder supplements after gallbladder surgery..
How to Care for Back Pain After Gallbladder Surgery
There are several important health problems related to gallbladder issues that are associated with the gallbladder, such as bile leaks, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. The following are tips on how to stay healthy;
Get Regular Physical Exams
By regularly getting physical exams, you can take advantage of your body’s early warning system by identifying problems like gallbladder disease early. Unless your doctor has prescribed you any medications or you feel that something is wrong, it’s best to keep yourself in the loop and make regular physical exams a part of your health routine.
Don’t Go Too Long Without Eating
Make sure that you’re getting enough nutrients and calories every day. These are important for your body’s ability to function properly, and they can help you stay well. If you find that there are symptoms of gallbladder disease or bile leaks, then it’s important to see your doctor because these could be signs of a much larger problem left untreated.
Take Quality Supplements
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If possible, try to get most of your supplements from natural sources. This can make sure that you’re getting quality and effective nutrients that aren’t going to cause any harm.
Get Breakfast and Avoid Too Many Sugary Drinks
Breakfast is a very important meal to get right. It’s the first thing your body takes in, so make it count by eating something healthy and nutritious first thing each morning. Sipping on some decaf coffee before you start your day is also a great way to wake up and start your day on the right foot. And while it’s okay to have a treat every once in a while, try to avoid sugary drinks when you can, such as soda or fruit juices.
Eat Foods High in Healthy Fats
You can find healthy fats in foods like avocado, olive oil, salmon, and nuts. Avoid eating fried foods and make sure that you stay away from trans fats as much as possible. These kinds of fats are known for causing heart problems and other health issues, so it’s best to stay away from them as much as possible.
Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is a very important part of staying healthy. It helps your body stay strong and helps you feel refreshed and energetic. It can also help you avoid gallbladder disease, which is why it’s so important to stay active regularly.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is an important step to staying healthy. It can keep you alert, it helps your body detoxify, and it can also flush out the bad stuff that your body might need to get rid of. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest steps to staying healthy at any age.
Don’t Skip Meals
Another great tip for staying healthy is making sure that you eat regular meals throughout the day and avoid starving yourself or skipping meals altogether. Don’t forget that you need to eat at least three meals each day, and it’s a good idea to have snacks between meals or between breakfast and lunch and lunch and dinner. This will keep your energy up, help keep your metabolism running, and make sure that you’re getting enough nutrition in your diet.
Gallbladder Disorders
In most cases, gallbladder disorders are caused by gallstones. Gallstones are composed of cholesterol, some pigments, and salts. Some of these stones can be very small, and they rarely cause any symptoms. In fact, people are usually unaware that they have these small stones. However, once these stones reach a certain size, they will start causing problems. If a gallstone blocks the cystic duct, bile will build up inside the gallbladder and cause serious problems. “Porcelain gallbladder” is just one of such problems.
Not all gallbladder problems require surgery. Gallbladder removal is always the last option, and this treatment method is used when all other methods fail. However, gallbladder surgery is considered safe and complications are rare. After the surgery, certain changes will have to be made to the patient’s diet. However, life after gallbladder surgery is not difficult. The patient will be able to consume various types of healthy foods.
Gallbladder Surgery
Gallbladder surgery can be done in two ways: open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic surgery is considered safer, and it is more popular than traditional, open surgery. The incisions are small, so the risk of secondary infections after the surgery is significantly reduced. The patient will be home the same day, and the entire recovery will be shorter. Life after Gallbladder Surgery Open surgery leaves quite a large scar, and the risk of secondary infections is greater. The laparoscopic method is more advanced and it is used in most cases (open surgery can be used in exceptional cases). Some doctors prefer the traditional method, but most doctors will advise patients to undergo laparoscopic surgery.
Life after gallbladder removal is not too difficult, actually. During the first couple of days after the surgery, you will have to consume liquids only. Your body will take some time to get used to the new situation – without the gallbladder. After this period, you will be allowed to eat mostly healthy foods, but certain types of foods will have to be avoided for the rest of your life. Below are some of them or you can refer to our separate post of all the foods to avoid after gallbladder removal.
- Sugary foods, alcohol and carbonated beverages, artificial sweeteners, will have to be avoided.
- Foods that are loaded with additives must be avoided.
- Eating small meals is encouraged; you will have to eat several times a day, but your meals will have to be small. Eating large meals would put too much pressure on your digestive tract.
- Fatty sauces, butter, margarine, and mayonnaise will have to be excluded from your diet.
- Starchy foods will have to be avoided as well.
- Low-fat dairy products can be consumed.
- You can use olive oil for preparing your food.
After the surgery, you may experience temporary problems like:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Gas
- Digestion problems
- Heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal discomfort
- Low tolerance to fatty foods
- Bloating
- Cramps
- Pain
These side effects are only temporary, but you should never ignore them. If you experience any of these problems after the surgery, call your doctor.