The surgical instruments used to remove the gallbladder can also injure surrounding structures, such as the intestine, bowel and blood vessels. Some people are at a higher risk of blood clots developing after surgery. This is known as deep vein thrombosis DVT and usually occurs in a leg vein. This can be serious because the clot can travel around the body and could block the flow of blood into the lungs pulmonary embolism.
You may be given special compression stockings to wear after the operation to prevent this happening. There are several serious complications associated with having a general anaesthetic , but these are very rare. Complications include allergic reaction and death. Being fit and healthy before your operation reduces the risk of any complications occurring. This is known as post-cholecystectomy syndrome PCS. It's thought to be caused by bile leaking into areas such as the stomach, or by gallstones being left in the bile ducts.
You may benefit from a procedure to remove any remaining gallstones, or medication to relieve your symptoms.
Page last reviewed: 03 December Next review due: 03 December Gallstones can be miniscule in size or as large as a ping-pong ball. You may have one stone or develop many of them. Not all gallstones or bile stones cause symptoms. Some are discovered incidentally during imaging studies for other reasons. The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body, where the liver and gallbladder are situated.
The pain may start suddenly and be intense. Or it may be a slow, dull pain or occur intermittently. The pain may shift from the abdominal area to the upper back or shoulder. Prolonged blockage of a bile duct can cause a buildup of waste products in the biliary tract and in the bloodstream, leading to an infection called cholangitis. It also can prevent the release of bile into the small intestine to help digest food or cause a serious bacterial infection in the liver called ascending cholangitis.
A blocked bile duct may result in inflammation of the gallbladder, called cholecystitis. A gallstone or bile stone in the common bile duct may block the pancreatic duct, causing painful inflammation of the pancreas or pancreatitis.
If a stone completely blocks the ducts of the gallbladder, liver, common bile duct or pancreas, other symptoms may include:. Patients who develop gallstones are at a slightly increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer, called cholangiocarcinoma.
The medications you were given during surgery may also cause indigestion. Indigestion can cause diarrhea or flatulence, often made worse by excess fat or too little fiber in the diet. Bile leakage can mean having an insufficient amount of bile in the intestines to digest fat, which loosens stool. Although removal of a diseased gallbladder usually reduces constipation, surgery and anesthesia used during the procedure can lead to short-term constipation.
Dehydration can make the constipation worse. This may result in cramping. Some pain is normal following any surgery, but if it continues beyond a few days or gets worse instead of better, speak to your doctor. A stone that remains in a bile duct after gallbladder removal surgery can cause severe pain, or jaundice , which is the yellowing of the skin. A complete blockage can cause an infection. To increase the chances of success, your doctor may suggest that you remain in the hospital for three to five days if you have open surgery.
If you have keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery, you may be able to go home the same day. Your medical team will teach you how to clean your wounds and watch for infection. Your doctor may prescribe a liquid or bland diet for the first few days.
Drink water throughout the day. Fiber is essential for good digestion after surgery, but limit your initial intake of the following:. Gallbladder removal is a last resort. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pain and complications from gallbladder disease by reducing the cholesterol and inflammation that can cause gallstones.
A diet lower in fat and higher in fiber, and full of fruits and vegetables, can also improve gallbladder health. Swap animal fats, fried foods, and oily packaged snacks for olive oil and other healthy fats. Limit or avoid sugar. Regular exercise can help your body reduce cholesterol and prevent gallstones from forming. Magnesium deficiency can increase your risk of developing gallstones. Eat magnesium-rich foods , including dark chocolate, spinach, nuts, seeds, and beans to improve gallbladder health.
A gallbladder cleanse usually refers to avoiding food for up to 12 hours, then drinking a liquid recipe like the following: 4 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice every 15 minutes for two hours. Apple cider vinegar and turmeric both have been shown to reduce inflammation. If you mix them with warm water you can enjoy them as a tea-like drink and may experience relief of your gallbladder symptoms.
Some people find the menthol in peppermint tea to be soothing as well. Some studies have shown the benefits of turmeric on gallstone formation. However, if you have gallstones, be careful how much turmeric you ingest.
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