About the Gall Bladder Operation or Cholecystectomy – Part Two
Posted on April 10, 2009
Filed Under Sciatica | Leave a Comment
After the operation
Will there be any stitches? Some surgeons place all the stitches under the skin so that they do not need to be removed. Others use clips and stitches in the skin which do need to be removed after about a week. Some of the small incisions may in fact be closed with adhesive strips that will peel off in the shower. You should be told clearly about this before you leave hospital.
Recovery issues
Returning home When the patient returns home depends on their level of fitness, whether there is an adult at home to help them and how much discomfort they have. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy most patients will be able to be discharged one or two days after the operation. Open operations mean that most patients stay a day or so longer before discharge, but overall they can return home when they feel ready.
Painkillers and pain The level of pain suffered by patients varies greatly as most suffer some pain symptoms in the first three or four days but others feel very little pain or discomfort. The typical area for pain is around the incision sites but some pain can be experienced in the shoulder region, likely due to the diaphragm becoming irritated during the operation. As carbon dioxide is absorbed into the bloodstream the discomfort will settle. It is advisable to use painkillers over the first days so that patients can sleep comfortably and start to become active again. The pain should resolve by five to ten days from the operation. A slower recovery after an open procedure is to be expected.
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.
Getting about Getting up and walking about can be done as soon as the patient wishes and although there is no limit on this it is likely stiffness and some tiredness might limit the distances possible for about a week.
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.
Work, sport and heavy lifting Patients can return to work as soon as they feel comfortable enough to manage their job. People who work from home or who can go back part-time often do so very soon after the operation. If they need to drive themselves or spend all day on their feet then they are unlikely to get back for about 2 weeks. Most people after laparoscopic surgery should be able to return to full time work within 10 days. It will take a few days longer after an open operation.
Physical activities and sports can be resumed as soon as he patient’s discomfort allows but a graded return to these pursuits would be advised as fitness is regained. A month or more may be needed before resumption of contact or violent sports.
What other effects will there be? Bruising and some swelling are common in the areas where the telescopes were inserted or around the wound if an open cholecystectomy has been performed. The swelling and hardness are caused by the fluid and blood under the wound, pulling together by the stitches and later by the formation of scar tissue.
Problems which can happen after a cholecystectomy
Bleeding and bruising Bleeding has already been mentioned but at times there can be a lot of bleeding. A small blood vessel near the incision site or under the skin can release a large amount of blood which is seen as a tense lump under the wound. Typically this settles on its own.
Bacterial infections It is not common to have a wound infection but it remains a risk. Antibiotic treatment may be needed if the wound should develop redness. Draining of any pus from the wound indicates that surgical exploration, release of infection and washout may be needed.
Related posts
Comments
Leave a Reply