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Gallstones Discharge Instructions


About this topic


The gallbladder is an organ in your belly near the liver. It stores bile, which is a juice that helps you digest your food. Gallstones are like pebbles that form inside the gallbladder. Your gallbladder may be irritated and have stones in it. It may burst open and cause an infection in your belly. ‚  
Your doctor will treat you based on how much pain you are in, how big the stones are, and if your gallbladder is inflamed or infected. Small gallstones may be helped with drugs that can dissolve them. The drugs may be taken by mouth or injected into the gallbladder. Bigger gallstones may need to be removed by surgery. Most often, gallbladder disease that causes pain and infection is treated with surgery. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Prevent or fight an infection
  • Dissolve gallstones

Will physical activity be limited?


Physical activity may be limited if you are in pain. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Ask your doctor or dietitian for a diet plan. Your doctor may suggest foods: ‚  
  • High in fiber
  • Foods low in fats like lean meat and fish
  • Made of whole grains

What problems could happen?


  • Swelling and irritation of the gallbladder or pancreas
  • Liver damage
  • Clogged tube leading from the gallbladder
  • Infection

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Keep a healthy weight.
  • Lose weight slowly.
  • Eat foods that are low in fat.
  • Eat foods that have fiber such as oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and pastas.

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad pain in the upper belly, upset stomach and throwing up.
  • Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes
  • Light gray or white stool
  • Not able to eat
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse.

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

Where can I learn more?


FamilyDoctor.org ‚  
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/gallstones.html ‚  
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚  
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gallstones/ ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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