Is laparoscopic cholecystectomy a painful procedure?

Pain is an unpleasant symptom associated with all surgical procedures and its perception changes from patient to patient. Patients who have already undergone traditional open surgeries (laparotomy procedures and traditional abdominal incisions) can verify that the pain experienced after laparoscopic procedures is significantly less. Generally, even in patients that have never undergone surgery before, post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be effectively treated with common pain medications.

How long is the hospital stay for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

People usually stay in the hospital overnight to recover from laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient enters the hospital in the morning of the procedure and he/she can be discharged the following morning, provided he/she shows normal postoperative recovery conditions and as long as the surgeon approves.

How long after laparoscopic cholecystectomy should the stitches be removed?

The stitches can be removed 7 to 10 days after the procedure, scheduling a postoperative office appointment.

What is the suggested diet after laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

A clean diet may be tolerated easier in the early post-operative stage: it is recommended to eat plain food such as pasta with olive oil, white meat, lean fish, fresh fruits and vegetables and to drink 1,5 – 2 litres of water a day.

How soon after surgery can the patient resume work?

Under normal circumstances, the patient should be able to resume work 7 to 10 days after the procedure.

How soon after surgery can the patient resume exercise or play sport?

Under normal circumstances the patient should be able to resume exercise and play sport within a month after surgery, provided he/she avoids strenuous physical activity.

How soon after surgery can the patient shower or bathe?

The patient may shower/bathe 3 days after surgery, providing he/she carefully protects the wounds with band-aids. The band-aids should be removed and replaced with new ones after every shower/bath.

How many incisions are made in a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Most typical laparoscopic cholecystectomies require 3 to 4 incisions: one in the periumbilical region, one in the right paraumbilical region, one in the left paraumbilical region. The last incision is made right below the sternum near the costal arch. The surgeon opts for 3 or 4 incisions depending on the patient’s body size.

When is it possible to expose the wounds to the sun?

Exposing the wounds to the sun in the early post-operative stage may worsen the appearance of the final scar. It is recommended to protect the healing wounds from the sun with band-aids or total block sunscreen for a full 6 to 12 months after surgery.

Is laparoscopic cholecystectomy safe?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently considered the “gold standard” for the surgical treatment of gallstone disease by all international societies for surgery.