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This article will address patients’ concerns regarding pain and recovery after gallbladder stone surgery. It will also guide them regarding resuming work, exercise and sports after gallbladder surgery.
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Patients in need of gallbladder stone surgery are undoubtedly worried about the pain and recovery after surgery. At times, these concerns hold them back from planning the surgery, even when it is needed to avoid a major complication. We understand their concern, and hence, we are coming up with this article to guide them. In reality, the discomfort is so minimal and the recovery so fast and smooth that, once the surgery is over, they feel that they are unnecessarily worried. At that point, they usually realise that delaying the surgery is unnecessary.
Gallbladder stone surgery is done by a laparoscopic method in today’s time. This means surgery is done by making very small cuts (One is 10 mm and three are 5 mm cuts). A laparoscope and other instruments are inserted through these small cuts, and surgery is performed. When there are no existing complications from gallbladder stones, the surgery typically takes around 30 to 90 minutes.
We also give nerve-blocking injections in your tummy wall after you are put to sleep and before starting the surgery. The injections called nerve blocks help in keeping you pain-free with minimal medications after surgery.
Thanks to advancements in surgery and anesthesia, post-surgery pain is minimal. Almost none of our patients need any painkiller injection after surgery.
All the patients are quite comfortable when they awake from anaesthesia after surgery. All the patients are able to get out of bed and move around, and go to the washroom when needed, in just 3 hours after surgery. We resume oral medications in tablet form, including painkillers, after 4 hours of surgery, once we allow them to eat food after surgery. And all the patients are comfortable and pain-free with these oral tablets. We are able to stop these painkiller tablets in 2-3 days in almost all patients.
Recovery after laparoscopic gallbladder stone surgery is very smooth and fast. We motivate and help our patients to start walking within a few hours of surgery. Most patients are able to do so comfortably.
Pain after Gallbladder surgery: Patient’s feedback in Hindi
Pain after Gallbladder surgery: Patient’s feedback in Gujarati
Pain after Gallbladder surgery: Patient’s feedback in English
Mostly, they are discharged on the next day of surgery. Although for young and fit patients, living in the same city, same-day discharge is also possible.
At the time of discharge, all the patients are comfortable with moving around, able to take care of themselves, pain-free, not needing any injectable medications, and able to eat and go to the washroom on their own. At the time of discharge, there is no restriction on walking or climbing stairs due to this surgery.
Once they are back home, they can get back to their routine day-to-day home activities as per their comfort.
We call them for follow-up and to check the wounds 2 days after surgery. Most of our patients are almost pain-free by this time. Once we examine them during this follow-up, we allow them to resume their household work and office-based work as per their comfort. At this stage, we advise them to stop taking painkillers and to take them only if they have pain. Most patients don’t need much pain medication after this time.
Those doing more strenuous or physically exerting work or who have to travel long distances for work may choose to delay resuming work for a few more days. There are no strict restrictions on physical activity after this surgery as long as the patient is comfortable and pain-free doing those activities. By the end of the week, almost all our patients are back to their normal diet and activity routine.
Patient Experience (Hindi)
Patient experience (Gujarati)
Patient experience (English)
There are no particular restrictions on exercise and sports after Laparoscopic Gallbladder Stone Surgery. But like after any surgery, we should gradually resume exercise and sports and make sure that we are comfortable doing it.
For milder kinds of exercise, like walking, there are no restrictions at all. You can even resume routine walks on the next day of surgery, and can walk as long as you feel comfortable. You can take a rest and sit in between walks if you feel the need and can restart as you feel comfortable, during the initial days after surgery.
More strenuous exercise, like jogging, cycling, and swimming, should be resumed after about 2 weeks of surgery. Milder recreational sports can also be resumed in about 2 weeks.
Weight lifting and gym exercise are allowed after about a month of surgery.
This timeline is not very strict. At times, these activities can be resumed a bit earlier in young and fit patients, but at that time, it should be delayed a bit more in elderly patients with other medical problems.
Exercise and sports will not affect the area of surgery. Hence, there should be no fear that exercise or activity will affect the internal organs. It should be resumed gradually, keeping in mind the patient’s overall recovery and fitness level.
Sexual activity can be resumed within a week’s time, as per the patients’ comfort level. It goes without saying that initially, one should be gentle and gradually progress to normal sexual activity levels over time for the next couple of weeks.
Your health journey is personal. Whether you’re dealing with asymptomatic or symptomatic gallstones, the right medical approach can make all the difference. Dr. Chirag’s approach focuses on patient education, precision, and compassionate care.
The primary aim of gallbladder stone surgery is to treat the symptoms (problems) you are facing due to gallstones. And to prevent complications arising due to gallstones. Dr Chirag Thakkar is very keen on precision in every aspect of the surgery, including sterilization, which leads to fewer chances of infection, better cosmetic results and fewer chances of incisional hernia.
If you’re seeking the best gallstone doctor in Ahmedabad, look for a specialist who combines medical expertise with a patient-first approach. Your path to recovery starts once you start working with a trusted medical professional, understanding the complications of gallstones and a treatment plan.
At ADROIT, we have the best expertise for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery– a minimally invasive solution for safe and effective gallstone removal. So, we can deliver excellent functional results, including less post-operative pain and early return to pre-surgical levels of activities. Dr. Chirag Thakkar does not believe in just doing the surgery, but makes sure that the patient’s problems are relieved, and he/she gets back to a normal diet and activity. Personalised care and meticulous treatment procedure is done before, during and after surgery, to give the best possible surgery experience and outcome. We also have the most updated Storz Rubina Laparoscopic system with ICG (Helps in checking the biliary system, during the surgery), which helps us give a complication-free gallbladder surgery.
If left untreated, gallstones can lead to serious complications like
Acute Biliary colic, Acute gangrenous Cholecystitis,Obstructive Jaundice,
Acute Pancreatitis. Hence, ignoring gallstones is not a wise decision. Get in touch with us.
You can book a video consultation with Dr Chirag Thakkar.
Call +91-8156078064 / + 91-8469327630 or contact us to fix an appointment. Visit the ADROIT Centre for Digestive and Obesity Surgery for consultation.
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Dr Chirag Thakkar is a gastrointestinal surgeon. He has been carrying out Gastrointestinal and Weight loss/ Bariatric Surgery for the past 18 years. Dr Chirag Thakkar has vast experience in treating complex gallbladder problems. He has performed hundreds of gallbladder surgeries by laparoscopic method. He is also an expert in other complex and advanced laparoscopic surgeries. Surgery for GERD, hiatus hernia and Obesity are his core areas of interest and expertise. For Acid reflux/ GERD treatment, ADROIT is one of the leading centres in India, providing all facilities under one roof.
Dr Chirag Thakkar
Senior Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgeon
GERD and Esophageal Motility Expert
Hernia Surgery Specialist
Founder Director of ADROIT Centre for Digestive and Obesity Surgery
Dr.Chirag Thakkar
