Can someone tell me if this "normal"?

My husband, age 70-but an active person, had his gall bladder removed by laproscope procedure 4 days ago. The pain he had been experiencing from the inflamed gall bladder is gone. His major problem now is the severe bloating in his abdomen and what appears to be a weight gain (fluid in the abdomen?) of about 17 lbs. Can someone tell me if this "normal"? I'd appreciate some input....Thanks.