Care at home
Keyhole gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy)
Dr. Aslam Baba
Surgical Gastroenterologist
+91 99851 88851
Surgical Gastroenterologist
+91 99851 88851
Patient name
Date of surgery
Stitchesdissolve on their own / remove on
Follow-up visit on
Call +91 99851 88851 if you have
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or more
- A cut that becomes red, swollen, hot or leaks pus
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Nausea or vomiting that does not settle
- No stools for three days
Go to the nearest emergency department now if you have
- Yellow eyes or skin, or very dark urine
- Severe pain in the abdomen, or the abdomen becomes swollen and hard
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Heavy bleeding from a cut
The first day at home
- You may feel sleepy for the rest of the day. An adult should stay with you for the first night.
- Start with sips of water, then light food such as idli, khichdi, toast or soup.
- Get up and walk a little every few hours, with help at first.
Wound care
- You will have three or four small cuts with dressings. Keep them dry for 48 hours.
- After 48 hours you may bathe. Let water run over the cuts, then pat them dry with a clean towel.
- Do not soak in a tub or swim until the cuts have healed, usually about two weeks.
- Mild bruising around the cuts is normal and fades in one to two weeks.
Pain
- Soreness at the cuts and pain in the shoulder tip are common for one to three days. The shoulder pain comes from the gas used during surgery.
- Walking helps the gas settle. Take your painkillers on time for the first few days.
Eating and drinking
- You can eat normal home food. Small, regular meals are easier at first.
- Some people get loose stools after oily or fried food for a few weeks. Keep such food light until this settles.
- Drink plenty of water.
When can I
| Walking | From the day of surgery |
|---|---|
| Bath or shower | After 48 hours |
| Desk work | Usually after about one week |
| Driving | When you can brake hard without pain and are off strong painkillers, usually about one week |
| Lifting heavy things | Wait two to four weeks, as advised |
| Physical work and exercise | Usually after two to four weeks |
These are usual times. Your own times may be different; follow what you are told at discharge.
My medicines
| Medicine | Dose | When | For how many days |
|---|---|---|---|
My recovery checklist
- Walked around the house on day 1
- Removed dressings and bathed after 48 hours
- Eating normal meals
- Pain easing each day
- Collected the biopsy report
- Follow-up visit done