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What to Expect if You Have Your Gallbladder Removed with a Laparoscope
By Deb Bloom of Gimme One of Each
Years ago, if you had gallbladder surgery, you had the traditional surgical procedure of having an incision in your abdomen. Now surgeons can perform gallbladder surgery using a much easier technique called laparoscopic choleycystectomy. This combines surgical methods with the latest technology. There is less discomfort after surgery, usually the procedure is done in ambulatory care and you can go home the same day or the next day, the recovery time is days instead of weeks, the scar is much smaller and the procedure takes only a couple hours. If you've decided to have your gallbladder removed, general anesthesia will be used on you for the surgery. The surgery will be performed through 3 to 4 small incisions in your abdomen. The surgeon then inflates your abdomen with air or carbon dioxide in order to see clearly. A laparoscope, (a slender instrument similar to a telescope), is inserted through one of the incisions. The scope shines a light into your body and can be attached to a camera so your doctor can easily see the gallbladder and surrounding tissue on a video screen. Then the surgeon will insert specially designed instruments through the other incisions, detach the gallbladder and remove it through one of incisions. Other cannulas are inserted which allow your surgeon to delicately separate the gallbladder from its attachments and then remove it through one of the openings. Many surgeons perform an X-ray, called a cholangiogram, to identify stones, which may be located in the bile channels, or to insure that structures have been identified. After the surgeon removes the gallbladder, the small incisions are closed with a stitch or two or with surgical tape. After Surgery:
Gallbladder surgery is a major abdominal operation and will require a certain amount of recovery time. Postoperative pain does occur, along with nausea and vomiting are not uncommon. When liquids or a diet is tolerated, patients leave the hospital the same day or day following the surgery. Activity depends on how the patient feels. Patients can remove the dressings and shower the day after the operation and walking is encouraged. Patients will probably be able to return to normal activities within a week or so, (depending on the individual), including driving, walking up stairs, light lifting and working. Report any of the following to your surgeon: -the onset of fever of 101 degrees F (39 C)
-yellow skin or eyes
-worsening abdominal pain
-distention of abdomen
-persistent nausea or vomiting
-persistent or increased drainage from the incision
-bleeding
-pain that is not relieved by your medications
-redness surrounding any of your incisions that is worsening or getting bigger
-you are unable to eat or drink liquids
Most patients can return to work within seven days following the laparoscopic procedure depending on the nature of your job. Patients with desk jobs usually return in a few days. Make sure to follow up with your surgeon within 2 weeks following your operation.
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Lap choley compared to open choley
Laparoscopic incisions
Open incision procedure
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The copyright for this content entitled "What to Expect if You Have Your Gallbladder Removed with a Laparoscope" has been specified by the contributor as:
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This intel was contributed by Morganna
Morganna
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May, 2012
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