LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS

What Is General Surgery / General Surgery Procedures / Patient Instructions
About Dr. Vazquez / Our Philosophies / Administrative Policies

GENERAL COMMENTS

Listed below are discharge instructions for your post operative care. Most people take several days to a week off of work to recuperate after their gallbladder is removed. You will most likely tire easily for about 1-2 weeks. This is normal. Plan to take rest periods throughout each day as you feel you need them. Occasionally patients may have trouble with bowel movements for up to a month after surgery; constipation may be relieved by increasing fluid intake or taking a stool softener or mild laxative, diarrhea should subside within a few weeks. Generally patients find they are back to their usual routine within 1-2 weeks after surgery and fully recovered within a month.
 
 

Medication

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) regular or extra strength 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for mild pain.
• Vicodin (Acetaminophen with Codeine)(prescription only) as directed for moderate pain.
• Over the counter stool softener or laxative daily as needed for constipation.

Diet

• Try to drink 8-10 glasses per day Juice or water).
• For the first few days, you may eat whatever was easy to digest before surgery and then progress to a normal diet as tolerated.

Bathing Showering

• You may shower/bathe 24 hours after surgery.
• You may use a mild soap to gently cleanse your incision and carefully pat dry.

Activities at Home

You may/should:

• Gradually increase your activity. Take rest periods as needed.
• Get adequate amounts of sleep each night.
• Avoid heavy lifting (> 20 Ibs.) or strenuous activity for 1 week or as directed by your physician.
• Avoid contact sports. Perform lighter aerobic exercise a few days after surgery (e.g. walking, biking, swimming, golfing, jogging etc.).
• Use common sense - if it hurts, don't do it.

Driving

• You may resume driving when you no longer take narcotic pain medications.

Care of Incision

• Brace your incisions with a small pillow when coughing and/or sneezing.
• You may cover your incisions with loose sterile gauze or Band-Aids to reduce irritation that may occur from contact with clothing.

• Temperature over 101.OF
• Drainage from wound
• Increasing swelling, redness or tenderness of the wound
• Increased pain in the abdomen
• Persistent nausea and/or vomiting

Sexual Activity

• You may return to previous level of activity.

Follow-up Care

• When you get home, call your physician's office to make a follow-up appointment for 1-2 weeks after surgery date.

Please feel free to e-mail Dr. Vazquez with any medical questions,

or contact our office with any other questions.

Richard M. Vazquez, M.D., F.A.C.S.

201 East Huron Street

Suite 11-250

Chicago, Illinois 60611

(312) 649-6562