How Should I Prepare For Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
You will need a full physical examination. You might need some tests to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.
The surgeon who will do your laparoscopic gallbladder removal will talk with you about the risks and benefits of surgery. Then you will sign a form saying you understand and agree to the operation. Your surgeons office will tell you what to do and avoid before surgery. The exact instructions depend on your surgeon, but here are some common things to do.
- Take a shower the night before surgery or the same morning. Your surgeon might ask you to use an antibiotic soap. Please do not shave your belly area.
- Stop eating and drinking at the time your doctor tells you before surgery.
- The morning of your surgery, you may take medications your doctor told you are allowed. Take them with just a sip of water.
- You might need to stop taking certain medicines before surgery. These include blood thinners, supplements, and medicines that affect your immune system. Talk to your surgeon when you schedule your laparoscopic gallbladder removal.
You will need someone to drive you home from surgery. You will also need someone to stay with you overnight. Ask your doctor or nurse how much help you might need.
How To Heighten The Recovery Time After Cholecystectomy
Lets face it coping with gallbladder surgery recovery isnt a walk in the path. But it isnt a living hell either if youre committed to recovering by heeding to the doctors instructions. Below are some general guidelines that may help you recover faster and resume normal activities sooner than projected.
- Ensure you rest any time you feel weak or tired. Enough sleep promotes healing and accelerates the recovery time.
- Endeavor to take a walk at least every day after the procedure you can start with short distances and increase gradually as you feel better. This will improve blood circulation, eliminate the chances of contracting pneumonia, and keep your bowel functioning normally.
- DO NOT attempt to lift anything two to four weeks after the surgery. And by that, we mean dont raise your child or carry objects like a briefcase, groceries, a vacuum cleaner, backpack, etc.
- DO NOT indulge in any type of task-demanding activity, including bike riding, weight-lifting, aerobics, running, etc.
- Driving is usually considerable once you finish the pain-relieving dose, but be sure to seek your healthcare providers assessment or approval first.
- Restrain from getting intimate with your partner until the doctor gives the OK.
Gallbladder Surgery: What To Expect On The Day Of Surgery
David Hampton, MD, is currently an Assistant Professor of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery at the University of Chicago and is board certified in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care.
To thoroughly understand what happens the day of gallbladder surgery, its important to know which type of surgery you will be having and why. In most circumstances, when the gallbladder is diseased, it is the result of gallstones. But there are other underlying conditions that may warrant gallbladder surgery, such as cancer of the gallbladder or inflammation of the gallbladder .
Usually, the treatment of choice for various conditions of the gallbladder is a cholecystectomy . Thats because a person can function normally without a gallbladder. It may be done by a minimally-invasive or open surgery.
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How Do Doctors Find Gallbladder Problems
Your doctor will probably order a test called an ultrasound. It shows the inside of the body using sound waves. You are awake during the test, and it does not hurt.
If you need more tests, you might have a CT scan or a test called a HIDA scan. The HIDA scan uses an injection of dye to show how well your gallbladder and bile duct are working.
What Happens Before Gallbladder Removal
A few weeks before surgery, you meet with your healthcare provider. At this appointment, you may:
- Get a blood test to make sure you’re healthy enough for surgery.
- Discuss what technique your surgeon will use and ask any questions.
- Receive instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before your operation.
- Talk about ways you can reduce your risk of postoperative complications, such as quitting smoking.
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Returning To Activity After Gallbladder Removal
How soon can you resume your normal everyday activities after surgery? The answer to this question depends on what your normal routine includes, your overall health, and your bodys reaction to the surgery. Dont expect to resume a strenuous gym routine or go back to a manual labor job immediately after your operation.
Even though laparoscopic surgery provides patients with a shorter healing time, you will still need to take it easy for several days after the procedure. Avoid heavy lifting and physical activity for the first week or two following your surgical discharge.
Its possible, in some cases, to return to work or school during the first few weeks of your recovery periodespecially if you sit at a desk or have a sedentary type of job. Your doctor will advise you on when you can return to other activities, such as exercising or engaging in physically demanding tasks.
Again, this depends on your physical state and how your body reacts to the procedure. The doctor may want you to rest until your post-op follow-up visit. It may take up to six weeks for you to fully recover from the surgery, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
What To Expect At Home
Recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy will take up to 6 weeks for most people. You may be back to most normal activities in a week or two, but it can take several weeks to return to your normal energy level. You may have some of these symptoms as you recover:
- Pain in your belly. You may also feel pain in one or both shoulders. This pain comes from the gas still left in your belly after the surgery. The pain should ease over several days to a week.
- A sore throat from the breathing tube. Throat lozenges may be soothing.
- Nausea and maybe throwing up. Your surgeon can provide you with nausea medicine if needed.
- Loose stools after eating. This may last 4 to 8 weeks. However, in some cases it can last longer.
- Bruising around your wounds. This will go away on its own.
- Skin redness around your wounds. This is normal if it is just around the incision.
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Can I Try Other Treatments First
You may be able to manage your symptoms for a short time by making changes to your diet. This includes cutting back on fatty foods. But dietary changes donât always help prevent gallbladder attacks.
If surgery isnât an option for you, your doctor can prescribe a medication to dissolve your gallstones. But this can take months or even years to work. And even if your gallstones do go away, thereâs a chance theyâll return.
What Are The Risks Of Gallbladder Removal
Gallbladder removal surgery is considered a standard, safe procedure. Complications of laparoscopic surgery are rare. But, like any type of surgery, theres a risk of complications, which can include:
- Infection in the surgery area
Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of surgery before your operation.
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Managing Pain After Gallbladder Surgery
Once the surgery is completed you will begin your pain management. This is important to help you with the recovery process. If you do not take it easy, the pain can be severe and cause setbacks. There are two easy ways to manage pain after surgery.
Get Rest
For a few days after the surgery, you will need to get plenty of rest. Letting the bodywork on itself heal is the best way for it to do so. Stay seated or laying down and do not over-exert yourself.
Eat Light
Some of the pain after gallbladder surgery is caused by the liver having to get used to its new role without the gallbladder. Eating heavy after your surgery will cause some problems with your digestion and then pain in the area. A diet of liquids and nongreasy or fatty foods will help.
Life after gallbladder surgery is almost the same. People are sometimes worried about what drastic changes it will cause in their lives, but having your gallbladder removed is fine. Your body will get used to it and when it comes to diet, there are almost no restrictions when it comes to it. But of course, you need to be more conscious of what you eat now. Here are the top Foods to Avoid After Gallbladder Removal.
What Is A Cholecystectomy
A cholecystectomy is surgery to remove your gallbladder.
The gallbladder is a small organ under your liver. It is on the upper right side of your belly or abdomen. The gallbladder stores a digestive juice called bile which is made in the liver.
There are 2 types of surgery to remove the gallbladder:
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Open method. In this method, 1 cut 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.
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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.
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less invasive. That means it uses very small incisions in your belly. There is less bleeding. The recovery time is usually shorter than an open surgery.
In some cases the laparoscope may show that your gallbladder is very diseased. Or it may show other problems. Then the surgeon may have to use an open surgery method to remove your gallbladder safely.
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Types Of Gallbladder Surgery
Doctors can remove your gallbladder in one of two ways:
Open surgery: During this procedure, your surgeon will make a 5- to 7-inch incision on your belly to take out your gallbladder. Youâll need open surgery if you have a bleeding disorder. You may also need it if you have severe gallbladder disease, are very overweight, or are in your last trimester of pregnancy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Doctors also call this âkeyhole surgery.â Your surgeon doesnât make a big opening in your belly. Instead, they make four small cuts. They insert a very thin, flexible tube that contains a light and a tiny video camera into your belly. These help your surgeon see your gallbladder better. Next, theyâll insert special tools to remove the diseased organ.
For both types of surgery, youâll be given general anesthesia. This means youâll sleep through the procedure and wonât feel any pain while itâs being done.
How To Alleviate Pain After Gallbladder Surgery
How you handle the pain after your gallbladder surgery will greatly depend on the type of procedure you have had. Any type of surgery will bring a certain level of pain. With gallbladder surgery, there is going to be more than just one type of pain. However, they can be taken care of with a few steps.
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What Are The Types Of Gallbladder Removal
Your surgeon may use open surgery or laparoscopic surgery to remove your gallbladder. With open surgery, your surgeon operates through one large incision. During laparoscopic surgery, your surgeon operates through a few small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery can lead to faster recovery, less pain and small scars.
Your surgeon may recommend open surgery if you cant have laparoscopic surgery. For example, if you have a lot of scar tissue on your abdomen, your surgeon may need to use an open technique. Sometimes, your surgeon may need to turn a laparoscopic surgery into an open one to see more clearly and remove your gallbladder safely.
Returning To A Normal Diet
Reintroducing new foods too quickly can result in gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps. Gradually reintroduce foods that are high in fiber, such as:
Keep track of the foods you eat in writing. Keeping a food journal will help you to remember which foods youve recently reintroduced, which cause GI upset, and which ones dont.
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Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Time
May 5, 2021Gallstones ClinicGallbladder Removal, Gallbladder Surgery, Gallstones Treatment0
If you are interested to learn more about gallbladder surgery recovery time, read our article. The gallbladder is an important organ, located near the liver. Precisely, it is located beneath the liver and it resembles a small sack. Its major role is to store bile and controls the release of bile.
The bile is released into the intestine, and this process is controlled by the gallbladder. Bile is necessary for normal digestion. Gallbladder disorders can cause other problems, and it is important to know the symptoms.
If diagnosed early, gallbladder disorders can be treated successfully. Women seem to be more prone to gallbladder disorders than men are. However, gallbladder disorders can affect men, too.
Gallbladder symptoms include abdominal discomfort, belching, bloating, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. The pain is located in the upper abdomen, on the right side and it can spread onto your right shoulder. A gallbladder attack is characterized by this type of pain and it can last from fifteen minutes to several hours. It usually starts after meal.
Gallbladder problems are usually caused by gallstones, but these problems can also result from gallbladder tumors and other factors. Gallbladder disorders can be treated in different ways, depending on the severity. However, gallbladder surgery is sometimes the only option.
Risk Factors For Gallstones
Being overweight can increase your risk for developing gallstones and having a gallbladder attack. However, losing weight too quickly can also increase your risk.
If you are overweight, talk to a doctor and/or dietitian to find ways to lose weight gradually. They can recommend simple changes to your diet and an exercise program that will help you lose weight a few pounds at a time.
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S For Gallbladder Removal
Minimally invasive surgery may involve traditional laparoscopic or robotic-assisted surgery. Both types of minimally invasive surgery are performed to promote quicker recovery time, reduce bleeding, and lower the risk of infection and pain after surgery.
The steps involved in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy include:
Life After Gallbladder Surgery
Most people can return to their normal daily routines one to two weeks after surgery, with full recovery taking up to six weeks. Be sure to come to any scheduled follow-up appointments.
Once your abdomen heals, you should expect pain and other symptoms of gallstones to be gone. You may notice occasional loose stool as your body adjusts, but most people dont experience lasting digestive issues following gallbladder surgery.
Dont hesitate to reach out to our team if you notice anything unusual or you have any questions during your recovery period.
If youre suffering from gallstones, gallbladder surgery is a safe, effective treatment option. Call our office in Peoria, Arizona, to learn more about gallbladder surgery or send our team a message online today.
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When To Seek Medical Attention:
When recovering from gallbladder surgery, be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Persistent or severe abdominal pain, cramping, or swelling
- Fever or chills
- Redness, swelling, bleeding, or abnormal drainage at the incision site
- Signs of jaundice
- No bowel movement or gas for three days
- Nausea or vomiting
Looking After Your Wounds
In many cases, dissolvable stitches will be used to close your wounds. These should start to disappear by themselves within a week or two.
If non-dissolvable stitches were used, you’ll usually need to have them removed by a nurse at your GP surgery after 7 to 10 days. You’ll be given an appointment for this before you leave hospital.
You’ll be told about how to look after your wound and stitches, including how long any dressings need to stay on, when they should be replaced and when you can start having showers or baths.
There will be scars where the cuts were made in your tummy. These will probably be red and obvious at first, but should fade over time.
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