swollen after gallbladder surgery

[Lcw29]

Had it done via keyhole on Wed. I've still got a really swollen tummy. Is this normal? When should it go down? It's so uncomfortable 😫

I didn't get this after surgery but I'm guessing it could be wind so I'd take some Wind tablets that might ease it.

Posted too soon even though it's keyhole they fill stomachs with air to get to organs.

Yes I would say so. Had mine done in 2018
via keyhole too. They put lots of gas inside so as they can get to everything/ see clearly! For me this was the most painful part for the first few days. It helped to keep moving, obviously you need to rest, but don’t just sit still… gentle pottering about gets it all moving, drink plenty of water & peppermint tea helped me a lot too. It will hopefully gradually subside in a few more days. Try to eat as healthily as you can too. Everything will take a few weeks to settle and heal 100%.
just one thing to note: your body digests things differently now, I find if I have a very high fat meal this can make me really bloated, and I am also lactose intolerant now. Suspect I was slightly before the surgery, but definitely was straight after! I’m ok with small amounts in food, e.g cheese, creamy sauces etc but things like a glass of milk or a yoghurt are a definite no. Switched to lactose free milk & yoghurt & no problems. You may need a little trial and error to see if certain foods make you bloated (I had a slice of cheese on toast the other day & was AWFUL - but high fat + lactose in the cheese was probably the trigger). Of course everyone will find it different, but thought I’d mention as it took me a while to establish.
Good luck though. I didn’t regret the surgery for one minute, and even though things are a little different it beats the pain of gallstones any day !!!

It’s probably trapped air OP but if it goes on too long then call the doctor for advice. With regard to your body digesting things differently, I imagine everyone’s different but I never had any issues with digestion after my gallbladder surgery at all. I could eat and drink as normal including fatty foods so, hopefully, you’ll be lucky like I was.

It’s unlikely to be the gas they insufflate the abdomen with to do the operation - most of it gets let out of the operating ports at the end of the operation. The small amount that is trapped inside is absorbed into the blood over the next few days. There are lots of other things that can cause abdominal distension after abdominal surgery though and you should have been given contact details for who to call if there are problems - if you’re worried you should call them.

I had my gallbladder out in feb. I was swollen for at least a week and bruised . Also soooo gassy. I think it's normal but any pain I would get checked out