|  | Surgeries Operations | Operations

Post-Gallbladder Surgery Pain

Pain is possible following gallbladder surgery. That's because a surgeon makes a large incision in the upper right part of your belly, just under the ribs, to access the area. The bile duct and blood vessels are cut and the gallbladder is lifted out. You can't feel pain during the hour-long procedure because of general anesthesia. However, after surgery you will likely experience soreness and pain as the incision heals.

  1. Recovery

    • Gallbladder removal surgery usually requires a hospital stay of two to six days. The recovery requires patients to breathe into a device called an incentive spirometer, to keep your lungs working sufficiently. You will receive fluids through an IV and eventually move to drinking liquids and eating food. A nurse will assist you in standing up and walking. In addition, you will be asked to wear pressure stockings on your legs to improve your circulation and stop blood clots from forming. If you experience post-gallbladder surgery pain or bleeding, you may need to stay hospitalized longer.

    Considerations

    • Pain you may experience after surgery is usually nothing compared to the pain you experience with an untreated diseased organ, which can be life-threatening. Gall bladders that are ignored can cause a lot of pain that increases over time. Some people experience pain for periods of two to three hours at a time. It's caused by a blockage that prevents the bile, released by the gall bladder, from traveling to the intestines.

    Types

    • People who have laproscopic surgery usually have less post-operative pain than those who undergo conventional gallbladder surgery. This is the main reason why more people are opting for the laproscopic approach. In a conventional operation, the incision is usually 9 to 18 cm in length. This size incision can cause pain and soreness in your body. However, during laproscopic surgery, the doctor makes four incisions that are much smaller in size.

    Potential

    • Gas can be another culprit in post-gallbladder surgery pain. The residual carbon dioxide that moves through your body, traveling to the right shoulder, can cause soreness. It is also fairly common to have gas pain in your intestines after surgery. Tell your doctor if you experience any such pain.

    Treatment

    • Painkillers are prescribed to patients following surgery to help ease any discomfort. However, these medications may cause constipation. To clear this up, eat high-fiber foods. If you're still experiencing pain, let your doctor know because it may be caused by heart problems, back problems, gastric ulcers, kidney stones or pneumonia. Call him immediately if the pain from surgery doesn't improve, the stitches or staples fall apart, you develop a high temperature or if the incision is red or swollen.

Operations - Related Articles