GALLBLADDER REMOVAL: DIET AND OTHER PRECAUTIONS

HOW TO AVOID DISCOMFORT AFTER THE SURGERY?

Any surgery can pose major discomfort, as the body has undergone major changes and restructuring. However, there are a few things you can do so that you can avoid discomfort. These changes are mainly in your diet and they are:

• For the first few days after surgery, stick with clear liquids, and broths. After that, gradually add more solid foods back into your diet.
• Avoid fried foods, high-fat foods, foods with strong odours and gas-causing foods. You should also stick to small, frequent meals.
• Eating the wrong things after gallbladder surgery can induce pain, bloating and diarrhoea. To side-step this gastrointestinal discomfort, avoid eating high-fat or spicy foods, including:
  • French fries and potato chips
  • High-fat meats
  • High-fat dairy, such as cheese, ice cream and whole milk
  • Pizza
  • Ghee/butter
  • Creamy soups and sauces
  • Meat gravies
  • Chocolate
  • Oils, such as coconut and palm oil
  • Chicken skin
  • Spicy foods
• Slowly as you reintroduce high-fibre foods, as these are known for causing gas and diarrhoea. Consider adding these gas-producing foods back into your diet slowly:
  • Whole-grain bread
  • Nuts
  • Legumes
  • Seeds
  • Cauliflower
  • Cabbage
• Try to avoid alcohol, smoking as well as caffeine, as these impact your central nervous system. It can also cause an upset stomach in some people and worsen diarrhoea. While you recover from surgery, do drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Drinks with electrolytes—sodium, chloride and potassium—are best after any surgery and for avoiding dehydration.
• Try and stay positive. Do not be disheartened by stomach discomfort and the limited diet required after gallbladder removal surgery. For many people, these symptoms are temporary. You’ll probably be able to get back to your normal diet within a few weeks. It’s important to remember that not everyone responds to gallbladder surgery the same way.

WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR?

Despite following all the medical advices, the medications prescribed and taking sufficient amount of rest, if you see the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.

• Persistent, worsening or severe abdominal pain
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• Jaundice
• No bowel movements for more than three days post-surgery
• Inability to pass gas more than three days post-surgery
• Diarrhoea that lasts more than three days post-surgery

WHY KIMS?

KIMS, one of the best places to get gall bladder treatment in Hyderabad, provides a multidisciplinary approach to patient care, collaborating with gall bladder surgery doctors in Hyderabad - including Dr. M.B.V. Prasad, who is a foremost gallbladder removal surgeon - who have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating gallstones and bile duct stones. In addition, patients have full access to KIMS’ world-renowned medical community with its diverse specialists and state-of- the-art facilities.