Open Gallbladder Surgery for Gallstones

What To Expect

After open surgery, you may stay in the hospital for a day or two. And it may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to your normal routine.

You will probably feel weak and tired for several days after you return home. Your belly may be swollen. You may have gas or need to burp a lot at first. A few people get diarrhea. It usually goes away in 2 to 4 weeks. But it may last longer.

Be as active as you can. This can help prevent problems and help you recover. Walking is a good option for many. Follow your doctor's instructions for when you can start doing more strenuous activities, such as biking or jogging.

You may want to avoid fatty foods like fried foods or cheese for a while. They can cause symptoms like diarrhea or bloating.

Why It Is Done

Several health conditions may lead to surgery to remove the gallbladder. For example, you may need open surgery if you:

• Have severe inflammation of the bile duct or gallbladder.
• Have an inflamed abdominal lining (peritonitis).
• Have high pressure in blood vessels in the liver (portal hypertension). This is caused by cirrhosis of the liver.
• Are in the third trimester of pregnancy.
• Have a bleeding disorder or use medicines to prevent blood clotting (blood thinners or anticoagulants).
• Have scar tissue from previous belly surgeries.

Rarely, the surgeon may need to switch from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery because of some of the problems listed above.

How Well It Works

Surgery to remove a gallbladder and gallstones is safe and effective. It does not remove stones in the common bile duct. Rarely, gallstones can form in the common bile duct years after the gallbladder is removed.

Risks

The possible complications of open gallbladder surgery include:

• Infection of an incision.
• Bleeding.
• Injury to the common bile duct.
• Injuries to the liver, intestines, or blood vessels in the belly.
• Bile that leaks into the belly.
• Blood clots or pneumonia related to the longer recovery period after open surgery.
• Risks of general anesthesia.

After gallbladder surgery, some people keep having belly symptoms, such as pain, bloating, gas, or diarrhea (postcholecystectomy syndrome).