A lot of people with gallstones usually search for alternative treatments so as to escape from surgery, considering it to be a tedious and life-threatening procedure. However, the truth is that, it is a minimally invasive surgery with quick recovery time wherein the patients resume their daily activities within a week.
Stones formed in the gallbladder are fat stones and the only way to get rid of them is through surgery. Gallstone surgery or cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure for removal of gallbladder stones. There are two ways of performing the surgery: Laparoscopic and Open, depending upon the condition of the patient. In Laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon makes four small incisions in the abdomen and removes the gallbladder from one of the incisions. It’s a less invasive procedure in which the patient is discharged from the hospital the very next day to perform their daily chores without any difficulty.
In an open surgery, the surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. The recovery time of an open procedure is longer than laparoscopic; hence the patient is advised two to three days of hospital stay. This is an invasive traditional procedure, which is usually performed if the surgeon finds complications while conducting an ultrasound.
The recovery time for a gallstone surgery can depend upon several factors such as the age of the patient, type of surgery performed and any co-morbidities. However, there are few things that patient need to take care post gallstone surgery.
Pain & Discomfort
Usually, a patient can resume their daily activities one- or two-days post-surgery. However, pain and discomfort can be troubling for some. Therefore, it is advised to take post-surgery medications on time and eat light food as prescribed by the dietician.
Patients might experience pain and discomfort on the day of the surgery due to anesthesia effect which fades away the next day of the surgery.
Wound Care
Post surgery, the surgeon staples the incisions which are removed a week later. The wound is covered using waterproof bandages. The patient needs to make sure that necessary precautions are taken while bathing or other daily activities.
Diet
The primary function of a gallbladder is to store bile, which is used for digesting fats and other nutrients in the body. It plays an important role in food digestion. After its removal, patients might experience bloating or acidity issues. Therefore, its important to consult a dietician. It’s also important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Complications post-surgery are rare. However, in case of fever, vomiting or any other unusual symptom patients should consult their surgeon as soon as possible.
