How do you prepare for cholecystectomy?

• You will be asked to shower the night before or morning of the operation.
• Your doctor may suggest you to use an antibiotic soap
• You will be advised when to stop eating and drinking before your operation, which is usually six hours for food and four hours for fluids.
• You may be asked to stop taking certain medicines before your surgery, usually blood-thinning medicines like aspirin.
• You will be asked to undergo routine tests for assessing your health before surgery. These may include

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
2. Coronary angiogram (to assess blood flow in your heart arteries)
3. Blood tests

What can you expect during the surgery?

A cholecystectomy is performed using local anaesthesia, so you won't feel anything during the surgery. Your health care team will insert a tube down your throat that will help you breathe. Your surgeon then performs the cholecystectomy either using either a laparoscopic or an open procedure. After the surgeon removes the gallbladder, the small incisions are closed with absorbable stitches or with surgical tape or glue. Once the gallbladder removal is done, you will be taken to the recovery room as the anaesthesia wear off. The recovery time varies depending on your procedure.

What can you expect after cholecystectomy surgery?

• A cholangiogram will be done to visualize the bile ducts after cholecystectomy

• You may experience occasional loose stools after cholecystectomy, which resolves over time. 
• You may go home from the hospital the same day of surgery if you have undergone laparoscopic gallbladder removal. 
• You may be able to return to normal activities within a week’s time
• You will be asked to come for follow-ups after 2-3 weeks after surgery

What are the potential risks involved with gallbladder surgery?

Gallbladder surgery carries a few possible risks including:

• Bile leak
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Heart problems
• Infection
• Pancreatitis
• Pneumonia

The complications you face depends on your overall health and the reason for your cholecystectomy.

Lifestyle changes

• You will be advised to take clear liquids for 1-2 days after the procedure to prevent nausea, vomiting and constipation
• You will be advised to avoid eating fatty foods for about one month and eat  low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast and yogurt.
• You will be advised to avoid lifting heavy weights and gymming.

Key Terminologies:

Cholangiogram:A cholangiogram is a special x-ray procedure that is done with contrast media to visualize the bile ducts after a cholecystectomy