| Your gallbladder is one of those organs that | | | | into the body at a constant rate. This means that |
| performs a very important function and yet | | | | the body is still able to perform its digestive tasks |
| maintains a low profile as compared to the other | | | | to some extent. However, it is not able to |
| major organs. In fact, the only time most of us | | | | process fatty foods as efficiently as it once was. |
| ever think about the gallbladder is when it needs | | | | Therefore, it is important for you to avoid fatty |
| to be removed surgically! | | | | foods of any kind during the days and weeks |
| If you are wondering, "What is the recovery like | | | | after surgery. |
| after gallbladder surgery?", it is important to gain | | | | 2. Constipation is a big problem for many people |
| an understanding of how the gallbladder serves | | | | immediately after surgery. This is a treatable |
| you and your body. | | | | problem, but alert your doctor about constipation |
| You can think of the gallbladder as a type of | | | | problems you are experiencing. It is very |
| storage unit in the service of the digestive | | | | important to keep the bowels moving regularly. |
| system. It stores something called bile, which is | | | | 3. There are two types of surgery: open |
| made in the liver. Bile has an emulsifying effect on | | | | (conventional) and laparoscopic. Conventional |
| fats that you eat, causing the fats to break down | | | | surgery can take 6-8 weeks to recover from, |
| properly in the body's small intestine. | | | | while laparoscopic surgery may only require a few |
| Since the liver is able to produce bile, why does | | | | days or so in terms of initial healing. |
| the body need the gallbladder at all? The reason is | | | | 4. If you have had open surgery, your surgeon |
| that the liver is incapable of producing bile | | | | needed to make large incisions in your abdominal |
| on-demand, exactly when needed by the | | | | wall which will take some time to heal. Therefore, |
| digestive system. Instead, it produces bile at its | | | | avoid doing any type of stretching or any |
| own, slow and steady pace. So, it sends the bile | | | | exercises that might affect this part of the body. |
| to the nearby gallbladder via special ducts. Once it | | | | Doing so will be painful and could cause stitches to |
| receives the bile, the gallbladder not only stores | | | | open up, requiring additional medical attention. |
| the bile, it also increases the its potency. | | | | 5. Some surgery recipients experience problems |
| Once foods containing fats move into the small | | | | with gas after surgery. This is due to residual |
| intestine, the gallbladder then springs into action, | | | | carbon dioxide buildup inside the body. |
| releasing the bile at the appropriate time and | | | | Gallbladder surgery is often the best course of |
| helping the body digest those fats. | | | | action to restore you back to full health. |
| If you are wondering, "What is the recovery like | | | | Recovery times will depend upon the type of |
| after gallbladder surgery?," here are some things | | | | surgery you had. Once the initial days and weeks |
| you should know: | | | | have passed, most problems mentioned above will |
| 1. After surgery, your gallbladder is no longer able | | | | go away. However, maintaining the right diet after |
| to store bile the way it once was. Instead, the | | | | surgery is the most important long-term thing you |
| liver keeps producing bile and simply releases it | | | | can do to ensure a safe and speedy recovery. |