Preoperative Information
Most gallbladders can be removed as an elective outpatient procedure, meaning you
come to the hospital for surgery and go home the same day. You should have had an
ultrasound or other study to diagnose your gallbladder problem. You should have already
seen your surgeon and the anesthesiologist, had labs drawn, and possibly had an x-ray
or seen a heart or lung specialist if you have other medical problems.
Prior to gallbladder surgery, you will be asked not to eat anything after midnight prior to your surgery. You will be given specific instructions from your surgeon or anesthesiologist about which medications you should or should not take prior to your surgery. You should not take any blood thinning medications at least 5 days prior to your operation. This should be discussed with your surgeon at your preop visit.
Postoperative Information
Greater than 95% of gallbladder surgery is performed laparoscopically. In the event
that a larger incision is required, recovery time may be longer than the typical described
below.
Activity
You can resume most usual activities gradually beginning shortly after surgery. You
should begin walking the night of surgery or the following morning and continue to
increase as you are able. Increased activity reduces the risk of blood clots, and
improves breathing to prevent pneumonia.
If you have an open gallbladder surgery, you may stay in the hospital for 2-3 days. While in the hospital, you will be asked to walk several times a day, beginning no later than the morning after surgery in most cases. You will usually need assistance to get out of bed, especially the first time, since you will likely have IV tubing and sometimes drains or catheters that need to be disconnected in order for you to get around. A Physical Therapist often helps you get out of bed and regain your strength after major surgery. Walkers, canes or crutches will be made available as needed.
Avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for 4 weeks and excessive bending or twisting for 1-2 weeks following surgery. This is to allow healing of the incisions, specifically the fascia (the strongest layer of the abdomen wall) and decrease the risk of getting a hernia.
Avoid driving until you no longer need narcotic pain medication and you feel you can make rapid movements unimpaired by pain. Driving while taking narcotics can impair your ability to drive safely.
You should be able to return to work 1-2 weeks after surgery if you had laparoscopic surgery. For open surgery 2-4 weeks is typically required.
Wound Care
A small gauze and clear tape dressing is typically placed over each incision. These
dressings can be removed 48 hrs (2 days) after the operation. Below this dressing
are small brown or white pieces of tape (called Steri-Strips); these will fall off
on their own within 1-2 weeks or be removed at your follow-up visit with your surgeon.
If you have open surgery, your skin incision will likely be closed with metal staples.
These will be removed during your postoperative visit. If your surgeon gives you specific
instructions other than this, please follow those instructions.
If your surgery was done as an open procedure, you will probably have a long white dressing or gauze and tape dressing over your incision. This dressing may be removed 48-72 hrs (2-3 days) after the operation and will probably be removed before you leave the hospital. Your incision will probably be closed with small metal staples. These will be removed at your postop visit, usually 10-14 days after your operation.
You may shower after 48hrs (after the gauze and clear tape dressing is removed). It is okay to get soap and water on the incisions. Pat the area dry. It is not recommend that you submerge underwater (in a bathtub, pool, or hot-tub) for at least two weeks post-op.
If you notice drainage from your incisions, particularly if it is thick and foul-smelling or associated with a fever, you should contact your surgeon.
If you notice redness around your incisions, especially if it is getting worse or associated with drainage or a fever, you should contact your surgeon.
Medications - Pain Management
Pain is typically just around the site of incisions, but after laparoscopic surgery,
you may have more general abdominal pain or even shoulder pain due to the air used
to inflate your abdomen during the surgery. Pain from air inflation will go away in
24 to 48 hours.
Pain after an open operation can be significant. If you have an open surgery, you will most likely be placed on IV narcotics using a pump (PCA � patient controlled analgesia), which allows you to press a button for additional medication when you need it. This will be weaned off within a few days of your operation and you will start oral pain medications. It is very important that your pain be well controlled. Your pain should be controlled well enough for you to begin getting out of bed the morning after surgery and for you to perform deep breathing exercises. If you have pain that is not well enough controlled to allow you to walk or breathe deeply, talk to your surgery team. You may need to have your pain medications changed or increased.
You will be discharged with pain medication, typically a mild to moderate strength narcotic. Take as needed and as prescribed. You may also take over-the-counter medications such as advil for pain. Most narcotic medications prescribed are combined with Tylenol (acetaminophen) and you should not take additional Tylenol if you are taking a narcotic medication that already contains Tylenol.
Other Medications
You may be prescribed a stool softener when you go home. Pain medications can cause
constipation and a stool softener may help. You may also be given nausea medication
if you have experience nausea or vomiting from taking your pain medication.
Home Medications
Unless otherwise instructed, you should be able to resume your usual home medications
the night of or the morning following your surgery.
Click here for more detailed information on commonly prescribed medications.
Diet & Bowel Care
You may resume your usual diet as you feel able unless otherwise instructed. You may
have some abdominal bloating or mild nausea after your operation, so eat slowly and
only what you can tolerate. Your appetite may be less than usual but typically returns
to normal within a week or two. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids (6-8 glasses of
water of juice each day) if your appetite is not very good.
Following gallbladder removal, some people will develop loose stools or diarrhea. This is related to changes in your intestine's ability to absorb fatty foods. This will almost always get better on its own in 1-2 weeks, although you may need to avoid some foods, especially food high in fat.
Follow Up
You will be given a date and time to see your surgeon following surgery. If you are
discharged late in the day or over the weekend, you will be given a number to call
the following business day for an appointment. If you are having trouble making an
appointment, you should call your doctors' office directly for assistance.
Call Your Doctor If:
Contact Information
Daytime hours: Call 706-721-4686 or 7597
After hours and weekends: Call 706-721-8400