Patient education: Gallstones – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is the gallbladder? — The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that is tucked under the liver (figure 1). It stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat.

What are gallstones? — Gallstones are stones that form inside the gallbladder.

Normally, the gallbladder fills with bile between meals. Then, when you eat fatty foods, the gallbladder empties the bile into the intestine. Sometimes, though, gallstones clog the gallbladder and keep it from draining. Other times, gallstones just irritate the gallbladder. If the gallstones are pushed out of the gallbladder, they can keep the liver or pancreas from draining.

Treatment for gallstones is based on how much pain you are in, how big the stones are, and if your gallbladder is inflamed or infected. Some people do not need treatment for gallstones. Others have their gallbladder removed or take medicines to help dissolve the gallstones.

How do I care for myself at home? — Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Write down the foods you eat to see if certain foods seem to make your symptoms worse.

●Try to eat 3 healthy, balanced meals each day. If possible, eat meals that are low in saturated fats and high in fiber and calcium.

●Try to keep a healthy body weight. If you plan to try to lose weight quickly, ask your doctor or nurse what you can do to keep from getting gallstones. Losing weight quickly (for example, through weight loss surgery) can lead to gallstones. But your doctor or nurse can give you medicines to prevent this.

What follow-up care do I need? — Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go.

When should I call the doctor? — Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You have sudden severe belly pain, or develop belly pain that becomes severe and is constant.

Call for advice if:

●You have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills.

●You have severe nausea, and you vomit shortly after you eat.

●You have to work harder than normal to breathe.

●Your urine is tea colored, your bowel movements are clay colored, or your skin or eyes look yellow.

●You are not able to eat without pain, nausea, or vomiting.

More on this topic

Patient education: Gallstones (The Basics)
Patient education: Choosing surgery to treat gallstones (The Basics)
Patient education: Cholecystectomy (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute pancreatitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (The Basics)
Patient education: Low-fat diet (The Basics)

Patient education: Gallstones (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acute pancreatitis (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) (Beyond the Basics)