LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY
POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

CARE OF THE INCISION – After surgery, you will usually have 4 small abdominal incisions covered with a dressing or bandaid.  The dressing can be removed after 48 hours. Under the dressing you will find several thin paper tapes (steri-strips) covering the incision.  The steri-strips should be left in place. The stitches are beneath the skin and will dissolve. You may shower after the dressing is removed.  Do not scrub the incisions.  Just let the water run over them and then gently pat the areas dry.  Do not submerge the incisions for 1 week (no baths, hot tubs, or swimming pools.)
 
 
COMFORT MEASURES – You may feel tired and have some abdominal discomfort and bloating for a few days to a few weeks. Moving and/or walking will help relieve this.  You may have bruising, swelling and soreness.  Use an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the incision 20 minutes every hour for the first 3 days. Take ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) 2 tablets 3 times daily to relieve any pain that you have.  A narcotic pain medication prescribed by your doctor may be used in addition to the ibuprofen as needed.
 
FOLLOW-UP OFFICE VISIT – You need to be seen in the office approximately two to three weeks after your surgery.  You will be given this appointment when the date of your surgery has been set and it will be documented in the surgical paperwork mailed to you.
 
ACTIVITY/RETURN TO WORK - Limit your activities after surgery to what is comfortable for you.  Don’t do any heavy lifting or exercise for 6 weeks. Refrain from any activity that causes pain. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.  You may return to work when you feel ready (usually 1 -2 weeks) as long as your job does not involve heavy lifting or strenuous activity.  You may return to work before being seen in the office postoperatively.
 
EATING NORMALLY AGAIN – You may have gas pains and/or discomfort while your digestion returns to normal.  Eat light, low-fat meals for two weeks. Then return to eating normally. You can try foods that caused you pain before your surgery – just try them one at a time and in small amounts. If a certain food causes discomfort, stop eating it and tell your doctor.  Diarrhea is not uncommon after gall bladder surgery and resolves with time.  Metamucil or other fiber can help.  If diarrhea is severe, please call your doctor.
 
WHEN TO CALL THE OFFICE – Do not hesitate to call the office if you develop a fever (temperature greater that 101), shaking chills, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, bleeding or drainage from your incision, redness around your incision, persistent or increased pain, jaundice (yellow skin and/or eyes), or with any other problem that concerns you.

Genesee Surgical Associates, PC
Linden Oaks Medical Campus
10 Hagen Drive, Suite 240
Rochester, NY 14625
Phone:(585) 383-8830
Fax:(585) 383-8901

Christopher B. Caldwell, MD, Surgical Oncologist
Robert J. Tripp, MD, General Surgeon
David E. Burns Jr., MD, General Surgeon
Brian P. Watkins, MD, General Surgeon
Victoria U. Nugent, NP Nurse Practitioner
Stephanie Yu, RPAC, Physician Assistant

cholecystectomyinstructions.doc     7/18/07   rev 5.27.2009