After the operation
Stitches and clips If the surgeon has used sub-cuticular clips then they do not need removal but if skin clips or stitches are employed then removal will be required at about a week after insertion. The small incisions are often controlled by using adhesive strips which gradually come off in whilst showering. Patients should be given clear advice on managing their wounds and stitches.
Recovery issues
Being discharged home The level of pain and difficulty patients have, their fitness levels and the presence or absence of an adult to assist them determines how quickly patients can return home. Typical discharge times are a day or two after the laparoscopic operation but if the operation has been an open one then it is usual for discharge to be a few days later. As a general principle people can go home when they feel able to.
Pain and painkillers People vary in the pain they feel after a cholecystectomy. Some get very little discomfort but it is common to experience some symptoms during the first 3 or 4 days. Although some of the discomfort may be around the sites where the telescope and instruments were passed, some people get pain in their shoulders. This is due to irritation of the diaphragm at the operation and will settle as the carbon dioxide gas is absorbed. Use of the painkillers for the first few days is advised, to allow patients to become active and to sleep with comfort. Patients should be pain-free within the first 5-10 days after the operation. Recovery after open operation will be a bit slower.
Having a bath and shower Soap and water can be applied to the wound area either by showering or having a bath after around two days. A transparent wound dressing is used by some surgeons, left in place for a while and washing or bathing can continue with it on. Patients will usually be advised about this. Swimming is best avoided for about ten days or so until wound healing is well advanced.
Walking Patients can start to walk about as soon and as much as they want although they will be a little stiff at first and will not feel like walking long distances during the first week after the operation.
Driving a car Patients need to feel able and confident that they can control a car in an emergency situation before they drive, taking a few days to reach this point.
Heavy lifting, work and sport Once a patient can cope with the demands of their job they can think about returning to work and if part time or work from home then they can go back very soon after the operation. If they spend a lot of time standing or have to drive to work each day then two weeks is usually needed. Ten days after a laparoscopic operation is often enough for most patients to return to their occupations although if the operation was open this will add a few days to this.
Patients can get back to sport and other physical activity as soon as their discomfort allows. It is sensible to start these activities gradually and work steadily back to full fitness. Violent or contact sports are best avoided for about 1 month.
Common other side effects The wounds, either the open incision or the small incisions used to insert the laparoscope, usually show some bruising, hardness and swelling. The collection of blood and wound fluid under the incision is responsible for the swelling and hardness at first, contributed to also by stitch drawing together and lastly by formation of scarring.
What problems can occur after a cholecystectomy?
Bruising and bleeding The possibility of bleeding has been described above and sometimes this can be extensive. Occasionally bleeding from a small blood vessel under the skin or near the puncture site can produce a large collection of blood visible as a tense bulge under the wound. This will usually settle with time.
Wound infection A wound infection is possible but not common. Wound redness developing may necessitate the use of antibiotics. If the wound should drain pus then it may need reoperation to let out the infection. - 14130
Stitches and clips If the surgeon has used sub-cuticular clips then they do not need removal but if skin clips or stitches are employed then removal will be required at about a week after insertion. The small incisions are often controlled by using adhesive strips which gradually come off in whilst showering. Patients should be given clear advice on managing their wounds and stitches.
Recovery issues
Being discharged home The level of pain and difficulty patients have, their fitness levels and the presence or absence of an adult to assist them determines how quickly patients can return home. Typical discharge times are a day or two after the laparoscopic operation but if the operation has been an open one then it is usual for discharge to be a few days later. As a general principle people can go home when they feel able to.
Pain and painkillers People vary in the pain they feel after a cholecystectomy. Some get very little discomfort but it is common to experience some symptoms during the first 3 or 4 days. Although some of the discomfort may be around the sites where the telescope and instruments were passed, some people get pain in their shoulders. This is due to irritation of the diaphragm at the operation and will settle as the carbon dioxide gas is absorbed. Use of the painkillers for the first few days is advised, to allow patients to become active and to sleep with comfort. Patients should be pain-free within the first 5-10 days after the operation. Recovery after open operation will be a bit slower.
Having a bath and shower Soap and water can be applied to the wound area either by showering or having a bath after around two days. A transparent wound dressing is used by some surgeons, left in place for a while and washing or bathing can continue with it on. Patients will usually be advised about this. Swimming is best avoided for about ten days or so until wound healing is well advanced.
Walking Patients can start to walk about as soon and as much as they want although they will be a little stiff at first and will not feel like walking long distances during the first week after the operation.
Driving a car Patients need to feel able and confident that they can control a car in an emergency situation before they drive, taking a few days to reach this point.
Heavy lifting, work and sport Once a patient can cope with the demands of their job they can think about returning to work and if part time or work from home then they can go back very soon after the operation. If they spend a lot of time standing or have to drive to work each day then two weeks is usually needed. Ten days after a laparoscopic operation is often enough for most patients to return to their occupations although if the operation was open this will add a few days to this.
Patients can get back to sport and other physical activity as soon as their discomfort allows. It is sensible to start these activities gradually and work steadily back to full fitness. Violent or contact sports are best avoided for about 1 month.
Common other side effects The wounds, either the open incision or the small incisions used to insert the laparoscope, usually show some bruising, hardness and swelling. The collection of blood and wound fluid under the incision is responsible for the swelling and hardness at first, contributed to also by stitch drawing together and lastly by formation of scarring.
What problems can occur after a cholecystectomy?
Bruising and bleeding The possibility of bleeding has been described above and sometimes this can be extensive. Occasionally bleeding from a small blood vessel under the skin or near the puncture site can produce a large collection of blood visible as a tense bulge under the wound. This will usually settle with time.
Wound infection A wound infection is possible but not common. Wound redness developing may necessitate the use of antibiotics. If the wound should drain pus then it may need reoperation to let out the infection. - 14130
About the Author:
Jonathan Blood Smyth is the Superintendent of Physiotherapy at an NHS hospital in the South-West of the UK. He writes articles about back pain, neck pain, and injury management. If you are looking for physiotherapists in Cambridge visit his website.
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