"How long is the recovery period for a cholecystectomy?"

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a procedure in which the gallbladder is removed by laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic surgery also referred to as minimally invasive surgery describes the performance of surgical procedures with the assistance of a video camera and several thin instruments.

During a laparoscopic surgical procedure, small incisions of up to half an inch are made and plastic tubes called ports are placed through these incisions. The camera and the instruments are then introduced through the ports which allow access to the inside of the patient. The camera transmits an image of the organs inside the abdomen onto a television monitor.The surgeon is not able to see directly into the patient without the traditional large incision. The video camera becomes a surgeon’s eyes in laparoscopy surgery, since the surgeon uses the image from the video camera positioned inside the patient’s body to perform the procedure.

Benefits of minimally invasive or laparoscopic procedures include less post operative discomfort since the incisions are much smaller, quicker recovery times, shorter hospital stays, earlier return to full activities and much smaller scars. Furthermore, there may be less internal scarring when the procedures are performed in a minimally invasive fashion compared to standard open surgery.

Patients will probably be able to get back to normal activities within a week's time, including driving, walking up stairs, light lifting and work. Activity is dependent on how the patient feels. Walking is encouraged. Patients can remove the dressings and shower the day after the operation. In general, recovery should be progressive, once the patient is at home.

Most patients are fully recovered and may go back to work after seven to ten days.
Often, this depends on the nature of your job since patients who perform manual labor or heavy lifting may require two to four weeks of recovery.

During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon may need to switch to a classic open abdominal adrenalectomy . This may occur if the surgeon:

Encounters excess scarring from previous surgeries
Encounters a very severely diseased or inflamed gallbladder
Is unable to remove stones blocking the bile duct
Is unable to appropriately visualize the structures in the abdomen

Other possible surgical complications include:

Missed gallstones in the bile ducts
Gallstones that are accidentally spilled into the abdominal cavity, potentially causing future problems
Bleeding
Wound infection
Injury to the bile duct or other nearby structures or organs
Adverse reactions to general anesthesia
Urinary tract infection
Respiratory tract infection
Deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism

Average Hospital Stay
Open cholecystectomy: Hospital discharge within 2 to 6 days

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Hospital discharge within 1 to 2 days of surgery

Postoperative Care
You may have a nasogastric tube. The tube will help to drain fluids and stomach acid. You won't be able to eat or drink until this is removed and you're no longer nauseated. You will continue to receive fluids and sugar through an IV. Once you are able to take things by mouth, you will be started on a liquid diet. The diet will be progressed through soft, bland foods, to a regular diet.

You will receive instructions to care for the surgical incisions at home. You will also have diet and physical activity plan to help you through recovery.

Outcome
Recovery after open cholecystectomy takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
Recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy takes about 3 weeks.
Although you will have incisional pain after your surgery, you should no longer be experiencing pain from the gallbladder.
Your liver will take over the functions of the gallbladder. Some people notice that they have a little more trouble digesting fatty foods, particularly for the first month after surgery.
You may notice increased gas or changes in your bowel habits during the first month after surgery. If these persist, inform your doctor.