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Dr. Shriniket SawarkarGI · HPB · Laparoscopic Surgery (home)

Patient guide

Gallbladder Surgery: Before & After

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common operations I perform. Knowing what to expect makes the week around it much easier — for you and your family.

Before your procedure

  1. About a week before

    • Get your routine blood tests and pre-anaesthesia check-up done — we will give you the list
    • Tell us about every medicine you take. If you're on blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin), we'll tell you if and when to pause them — don't stop them on your own
    • Stop herbal and ayurvedic supplements unless we say otherwise — some interfere with anaesthesia and bleeding
    • Arrange for a family member to accompany you and take you home
  2. A few days before

    • Stock easy-to-digest food: khichdi, dal-rice, curd, bananas, toast, soups
    • Set up a comfortable resting spot at home, with extra pillows for slight elevation
    • Fill any prescribed medicines in advance
  3. The night before

    • Follow the fasting instructions you are given exactly — usually no food for 6–8 hours before surgery. This is critical for safe anaesthesia
    • Take a bath and wear clean clothes
    • Try to sleep well — reading helps more than scrolling
  4. On the morning of surgery

    • Wear loose, comfortable clothing (a front-opening shirt is easiest)
    • Remove jewellery, contact lenses and nail polish
    • Arrive at the time you are given
    • Bring your ID, insurance / TPA documents, all reports and a list of your current medicines

After your procedure: recovery timeline

  1. The first few hours

    • You will wake up drowsy from the general anaesthesia; pain is controlled with medicines
    • Shoulder-tip discomfort is common — it comes from the gas used during laparoscopy and settles in 24–48 hours
    • You'll be encouraged to sip water and take short walks
    • Many patients go home the same day, a few hours after surgery
  2. Days 1–3

    • Walk gently around the house every 2–3 hours — it helps prevent blood clots
    • Eat light: soups, khichdi, boiled vegetables, fruit
    • Take pain medicine as prescribed — don't wait for pain to become severe
    • Keep the incision sites clean and dry
  3. Days 4–7

    • Most patients return to desk work around day 4–5
    • Gradually increase activity — short walks outside, light household work
    • Incisions may look pink or red; this is normal
    • Keep meals light and low in oil; bring back your usual food gradually from week 3
  4. Week 2 onwards

    • Most normal activity resumes; heavy lifting and the gym after about 6 weeks
    • Scars begin to fade
    • Follow-up visit: we check your healing and clear you for all activities

Do

  • Walk gently every 2–3 hours
  • Eat light, low-oil food for the first two weeks
  • Take medicines on time
  • Keep the incisions clean and dry

Don't

  • Lift anything heavier than a water bottle in the first days
  • Drive until you're off strong pain medicine — usually day 3–5
  • Soak in a bath or swim for 2 weeks (showers are fine after 48 hours)
  • Eat heavy, oily or very spicy food in the first two weeks

This guide is general information. Follow the specific instructions you receive from Dr. Sawarkar's team, especially about fasting and medicines.

Questions before your surgery?

Call or WhatsApp the clinic — we're happy to go over anything that's worrying you.

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