How many days after gallstone surgery can one eat regular solid meals?

Generally, patients can start eating regular solid meals about 4 to 7 days after gallstone surgery. However, the exact timing may vary depending on individual recovery conditions. The details are as follows:

Gallstone surgery is a relatively common procedure and includes minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, traditional open abdominal surgery, and endoscopic stone removal under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). After surgery, gastrointestinal motility is usually slow, so it's not advisable to eat overly dry or hard foods. Patients should primarily consume liquid foods such as millet porridge and egg drop soup. If recovery progresses well, patients may begin eating solid meals around 4 days post-surgery. However, for some patients with poorer physical health or more severe postoperative reactions—such as frequent nausea and vomiting—it may take up to about 7 days before they can tolerate solid food. The specific timing should be determined based on each patient’s actual recovery progress.

After surgery, patients should also ensure adequate rest and avoid strenuous physical activity to prevent wound dehiscence. Additionally, it's important to keep the surgical site clean and dry, and closely monitor for signs of redness, swelling, pus discharge, or other abnormalities. If any discomfort or complications arise, prompt medical consultation at a hospital is recommended.