Surgical Services

*Be sure to read your discharge papers for more detailed information!

NUTRITION:

• Avoid eating greasy, fried, highly spiced foods and overeating for several weeks.
• Aviod eating “problem foods" and beverages too soon.  This can the same symptoms you had prior to surgery.

MEDICATION:

• Resume any regular medications unless otherwise instructed.
• If needed, a prescription for pain will be provided.

ACTIVITY:

• Due to the nature of this surgery, there is less restriction on your activity post-operatively.
• The chances of having pain where the gallbladder was removed are minimal.  Also development of a hernia is minimal since the muscles were “punctured only” and no “incisions” were made.
• You may resume driving, yard work, sports, lifting, exercising and all your normal activities as soon as you feel able.
• You may drive when pain free and off prescription pain medicine.
• You may return to work in 3 - 4 days.
• Unless there are unusual circumstances due to lifting restrictions at your job, you will not be off work more than 7 - 10 days.

WOUND CARE:

• You will go home with band-aids and steristrips covering your abdominal wounds.
• The band-aids may be removed when you first shower, but the steristrips should remain in place until your follow-up appointment.
• Keep the wounds as clean and dry as possible.
• No swimming, hot tubs or soaking in bath tub until incisions are healed.
• Shower daily to clean with soap and water.
• Cover the areas only if you notice any drainage.
• There will be no stitches to remove.
• Avoid constipation by consuming a high fiber diet with plenty of water to prevent straining against the incision.
• Use a laxative (i.e. 1-2 oz of Milk of Magnesia) if constipation occurs.

EXPECTATIONS OF SURGERY:

• Temporary pain in one or both shoulders related to retention of small amounts of gas. This will go away on its own within a few days, which is why being physically active is very important!
• Minimal pain associated with abdominal wounds can be controlled by oral pain medication.
• Little or no drainage from abdominal wounds.
• Loose stools may be expected temporarily until the body adjusts to the bile emptying directly into the small intestine.

CALL SURGEON IF:

• Evidence of bleeding or unusual drainage is noted.
• Swelling or redness of abdominal wounds.
• Temperature over 101 degrees.
• Unusual pain, nausea and/or vomiting, severe abdominal bloating with no passage of gas.
• Appearance of jaundice/yellow skin color.

IF OFFICE IS CLOSED and an EMERGENCY arises, please call 911 or go to the Emergency Department.  

A MISA surgeon can be reached by calling the office answering service at (309) 677-6019