In this article, we shall be considering “How to sleep after gallbladder surgery”. The gallbladder is an organ located under the liver and its function in the body is to store bile ( a substance that helps the body to break down and absorb fats). Bile is produced in the liver. The gallbladder stores extra bile and release them when the body needs them for digestion purposes.
Unfortunately, the gallbladder can develop gallstones which is a hard deposits or substance in the bile that can be sticker inside the gallbladder. This can lead to inflammation which can cause Severe pain, Bloating and vomiting.
The gallbladder can also be removed if it does not empty bile due to defects. Infection or painful gallstones can lead to the gallbladder removed. This does not mean the body cannot digest fats, normal digestion can continue as the bile will get to the intestines.
HOW GALLBLADDER SURGERY IS PERFORMED
There are 2 types of surgery to remove the gallbladder:
(1) Open (traditional) method: In this method, 1 cut (incision) about 4 to 6 inches long is made in the upper right-hand side of your belly. The surgeon finds the gallbladder and takes it out through the incision.
(2) Laparoscopic method. This method uses 3 to 4 very small incisions. It uses a long, thin tube called a laparoscope. The tube has a tiny video camera and surgical tools. The tube, camera and tools are put in through the incisions. The surgeon does the surgery while looking at a TV monitor. The gallbladder is removed through 1 of the incisions. The laparoscopic surgery is better and takes shorter time as there are fewer cuts that can heal faster.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HAVING GALLBLADDER SURGERY?
As part of discussion discussion on the topic “How to sleep after gallbladder surgery”, One should note that some complications can occur during or after the surgery.
Common among them are:
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Injury to the tube (the bile duct) that carries bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
- Liver injury.
- Scars and a numb feeling at the incision site.
- A bulging of organ or tissue (a hernia) at the incision site.
However, you should not allow the fear of these complications to make endure the pain of having gallstones in your body. You can go ahead with the surgery. Make sure you research on the best doctors to perform it.
HOW TO SLEEP AFTER GALLBLADDER SURGERY
Just like other surgeries, you need to rest properly so as to heal quickly after the surgery. You need to come up with game plan on how to sleep comfortably as sleep is essential for your recovery process.
But it can be difficult to sleep because of reasons like:
(1) Anesthesia used during the surgery can still have effect on your body.
(2) You may experience pain.
(3) Some sleeping pattern might be uncomfortable for you. This is because the cuts are made in the side of your stomach. Frequent turning or tossing might cause more pain.
(4) Psychological responses may occur as a result of the surgery.
There are factors that can have impact on your sleeping pattern. The comfort of your bed, the arrangement and lighting of your room can have effect on how you sleep.
SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO SLEEP AFTER GALLBLADDER SURGERY.
(1) Make sure the temperature of the room matches your body temperature. It must not be too hot or too cold for you.
(2) Make sure you have a clean room. Reduce bright lights to dim so that they don’t strain your eyes.
(3) Have at least two pillows. Your body is still sensitive and they can help you get a better position. Also, adjust the bed frame and use comfortable mattress.
(4) Avoid sleeping on your side as the incisions are still fresh and might take time to heal .The best sleeping position is to lie on your back, but if you have to lie on your side, let it be on the left side.
(5) You can use scented candles or diffusers. Aromatherapy can help you to sleep well as burning scented candles and using diffusers of different fragrance can make you feel more relaxed.
(6) Do not eat heavy food before going to bed. Heavy food as we know takes time to digest and might cause discomfort. You wouldn’t want to add that to the pain you are already feeling.
(7) Take pain relievers in the case of an excruciating pain.
(8) Follow your doctor’s advice on exercise. Gentle exercises like walking can help reduce bloating and help you feel better.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE A DOCTOR IF I CANNOT SLEEP AFTER GALLBLADDER SURGERY?
It is not compulsory that you start sleeping comfortably after the surgery. In fact, it is normal to have difficulty in sleeping for some days.
However, sleep is so essential to your healing process so if you cannot sleep 1 to 2 weeks after the surgery, it is advisable that you see your doctor because something is wrong. You can also see your doctor if you have:
- A persistent fever above 100.4°F (38°C)
- Drainage or pus that is green, gray, or yellow
- Incisions that weep or smell foul
- Persistent nausea, vomiting, or dizziness after your surgery.
Try as much as possible to get enough sleep, obey all your doctor’s instructions and see your body healing rapidly
CONCLUSION
In this post “How to sleep after gallbladder surgery”, we have looked at how gallbladder surgery is performed, the risk involved and simple steps of how to sleep after gallbladder surgery among others.