About the procedure
Laparoscopic means keyhole surgery.
We perform a gall bladder removal through three or four small incisions (cuts). We make these cuts just below your umbilicus (tummy button), below your breastbone, on the right of your abdomen (tummy).
We remove the gall bladder through your umbilicus and close the wound with dissolvable stitches.
Recovery at home
Do the following when you get home.
- Go to bed and rest as soon as you get home. Only get up to go to the bathroom when you need to.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat normally.
- Take the painkillers we give you, as directed, at regular intervals.
You may feel tired for up to 10 days.
Care of wound dressings
The dressings on your wounds are shower-proof.
- Keep the wound clean and dry for up to 48 hours. This will help with recovery.
- You can remove the dressings after 5 to 10 days.
Everyday activities
- You can resume your normal everyday activities when you feel comfortable to do so. For most patients, if the activity does not hurt, it will not do any damage.
- If an activity does hurt, we advise you to stop and try again after a day or two.
- You can drive when you feel up to it.It can take up to 10 days to feel ready to drive. Check your insurance policy before you start driving after the procedure.
Follow-up
- Most patients do not need a follow-up appointment after this procedure.
- Your stitches will dissolve after 14 days.
- Make an appointment with your GP if you want them to check your wound's recovery.
Contact information
Contact the Day Surgery Unit Advice Line, Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, for help after discharge home
Out of hours and on weekends, calls divert to Kingston Hospital Alex Ward
For urgent help, call 111 or go to the Emergency Department (A&E) at Kingston Hospital