Patient Advice Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
You have had a Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, which is keyhole surgery to remove your gall bladder. The operation is commonly performed due to gallstones, remove polyps or other gall bladder abnormalities.
The gallbladder is an organ in the upper right part of your tummy. It collects a fluid called bile that helps digest food. The gallbladder is not an essential organ. After removal, bile will continue to flow directly from your liver into your intestines. Most people notice little or no difference once they have recovered. A small number of patients report looser stools after surgery.
Wound care
Keep your wounds clean and dry for the first 48 hours to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection.
After __________ hours, you may shower as normal. Avoid soaking in baths and do not submerge the wounds until fully healed. Keep the wounds covered until healing is complete. Appropriate dressings will be provided.
Change the dressing after ______ days, and then every ______ days until the wound has healed and/or stitches/clips have been removed or dissolved.
It is normal to notice some bruising around the incision sites.
Each time you change your dressing, check your wounds for any problems such as:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Increasing pain
- Discharge (pus or blood).
If you have any concerns, contact your GP for advice.
Stitches
Your wounds have been closed with:
☐ Dissolvable stitches – these do not need to be removed and usually dissolve within 10–21 days.
☐ Stitches or clips requiring removal – please arrange an appointment with the practice nurse at your GP surgery on:
A letter for the practice nurse will be provided on discharge.
Pain management
The incision sites will have been numbed with local anaesthetic during surgery. This usually wears off within four to eight hours. After the local anaesthetic wears off, you may experience mild to moderate discomfort for up to a week.
Some patients develop pain in the neck or in the tip of the shoulder. This is common. It is caused by the gas used to inflate the abdomen during surgery. Gentle movement and walking can help relieve this discomfort. It should settle within a few days.
Take pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen as needed. You may be prescribed pain relief upon discharge. Follow the instructions on the packaging and do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Activity
Take things gently for the first few days. Take short, regular walks to improve circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots.
You must not drive for 24 hours following a general anaesthetic or sedation (as required by the Road Traffic Act).
After this period, only resume driving when:
- You can comfortably wear a seatbelt
- You can safely perform an emergency stop.
This is usually around two weeks. If you are unsure, please contact your insurance company.
It is normal to feel tired. Listen to your body and rest when needed.
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least two weeks, or longer if advised by your surgeon.
Returning to work
Most people return to work within two weeks, depending on the nature of their job. If your work is physically demanding, you may require a longer recovery period.
A sick note can be provided on discharge if you require more than one week off work. If you need additional time off after this expires, please contact your GP.
Seeking advice
Please contact your GP/ out of hours GP or visit your Emergency Department (within the first 24 hours) if you experience any of the following:
- Discharge of blood or pus from your wound
- Fever above 38.5oC (101oF)
- Persistent vomiting and inability to tolerate food and drink
- Inability to have a bowel movement after four days
- Persistent pain not relieved by your pain relief
- Persistent abdominal distension (bloating of your tummy)
- Increasing pain or swelling around the wound sites
- Jaundice (Yellowing of skin or eyes).
Contact numbers
We hope that you have found this information useful. If you have any questions or are worried about anything, please call:
Your GP or out of hours GP
NHS Direct 111
Dorchester Day Surgery Unit 01305 254501 (day of procedure only)
Weymouth Day Surgery Unit 01305 762664 (day of procedure only)
Lulworth Ward after 8pm 01305 255471
Abbotsbury Ward after 8pm 01305 255150
About this leaflet
Author: Laura Gower, Staff Nurse
Written: March 2013
Updated and approved: Kayleigh Fairchild, Deputy sister, April 2026
Review Date: April 2029
Edition: v2
If you have feedback regarding the accuracy of the information contained in this leaflet, or if you would like a list of references used to develop this leaflet, please email patientinformation.leaflets@dchft.nhs.uk
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