Answers to the questions asked by patients
I am 20 years old aspiring model and has been advised for Laparoscopic Gall bladder operation, I don’t want any scars, what is the best option for me?
I like fried food a lot; do I have to stop eating fatty meal after Gall bladder surgery?
Is there any medicine to cure the problem of Gall Bladder Stone?
How gallbladder can be removed through a tiny hole and why not to remove only stones?
Are obese people at high risk for stone formation? Is it safe and advisable to opt for Laparoscopic surgery?
How gall stones are diagnosed? What’s Complication of laparoscopic Gall Bladder Surgery? And more!
I am 20 years old aspiring model and has been advised for Laparoscopic Gall bladder operation, I don’t want any scars, what is the best option for me?
One of the advantages of laparoscopic surgery is tiny scars which fade away with time. With the advancement of technology, telescopes and instruments of smaller diameter are available which gives cosmetically more acceptable results (mini/micro laparoscopic surgery)
After discussing with your operating surgeon you can opt for Single Port Access surgery an advanced Minimally Invasive Surgical procedure in which the surgeon operates laparoscopically almost exclusively through a single entry point at Navel rather than multiple cuts.
Since the entire surgery is performed through the navel, it does not leave any visible scar In addition to better cosmetic result there is less post-operative pain, less blood loss, faster recovery and fewer complications.
I like fried food a lot; do I have to stop eating fatty meal after Gall bladder surgery?
You can eat fatty meal even after Gall Bladder surgery. Fat is digested with the help of bile which is secreted from liver. Gall Bladder merely stores it. There is no ill effect on normal digestion of fat after Gall bladder removal. Moderate fat diet is okay but avoid high fat diet.
My wife is recently diagnosed with gallbladder stones and one of my relative suggested about Laparoscopic surgery. I am confused how gallbladder can be removed through a tiny hole and why not to remove only stones?
The abdomen is insufflated with carbon dioxide gas to elevate the abdominal wall above the internal organs like a dome to create a space to view and work
Laparoscope (long thin instrument) with a light source and camera is inserted through tiny hole at belly button. Specially designed surgical instruments are placed through other small incisions and once separated from surrounding structures gall Bladder can be easily removed through small opening because of its elasticity.
Is there any medicine to cure the problem of Gall Bladder Stone?
If Gall Bladder stone is not causing any symptom it can be kept on watchful waiting with low fat high fiber diet (Beans , bran cereals ), more fruits and vegetables and regular exercise.
For Symptomatic stones medicines such as antibiotics are given for short term relief. Permanent cure to problem is removal of the gall bladder & not the stones only as Gall stone may form again and by removing infected gall bladder we are safeguarding against a lot of complications like Cholecystitis & Pancreatitis.
My mother has Gall stones and is diabetic and overweight, is obese people at high risk for stone formation? Is it safe and advisable to opt for Laparoscopic surgery as surgeon warned us he may have to convert it to open surgery while operating? Why so?
Yes high cholesterol in obese people is linked to risk of gall stone formation.
Though it is uncertain why some people form gall stones but certain people are more at risk than others which includes over weight, Diabetes, High fat – low fiber diet, rapid weight loss and gall bladder stone in family are some other risk factors.
Laparoscopic surgery is suited for fat patient as the thickness of tummy wall is immaterial when putting in the laparoscope and instruments, rather in open surgery obese patients have deeper cut
In a small number of patients especially obese patient or patients with previous surgery laparoscopic method cannot be performed or laparoscopic surgery may have to be converted to “open” procedure. It is a purely a judgment of the surgeon while operating based on the patient’s safety, usually if there is bleeding or injury to common bile duct and vision is not clear.
I am in my early 30 years scheduled for gallbladder surgery, I want to know how long recovery will take, how long I have to stay in the hospital, Will I be able to exercise and attend the important meeting next week? What I will be eating after surgery
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy usually takes about one hour, and after that you will be in post op recovery before finally shifting to your hospital room. To answer your questions one by one–
Pain laparoscopic surgery has very less post-operative pain compare to open procedure. Pain tolerance is different for everyone and usually analgesics are given for first 2-3 days
Hospital stay patients can leave the hospital the same day or day following the laparoscopic surgery, as compare to typical 4 – 7 days after open surgery
Activities – Patients usually return to normal activities within a week’s time, including driving, walking up stairs, light lifting and working. Strenuous activities such as lifting weight, straining and vigorous exercise should be avoided at least 14 days after laparoscopic surgery.
Return to work –Patients with administrative or desk jobs usually return in a few days only those involved in manual labor or heavy lifting may require about two weeks to resume work.
Eating Patients are given liquid diet, (juices, tea, and soup) for first 12 hour. After the first 12 hour slowly normal diet is resumed as per patient’s acceptance. You are advised to take high fiber diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
I am 49 years hypertensive and surgeon advised Laparoscopic Gall Bladder surgery. But I am afraid to take the decision on whether I should go for traditional open surgery. My surgeon was saying laparoscopic surgery has distinct advantages, Are there any complications in laparoscopic surgery?
Minimal Access surgery like Laparoscopic surgery has distinct advantages over open surgery like –
Small incision
Less post-operative pain
Fast recovery
Short hospital stay
Better cosmetic results
But all operations have a small possibility of complications. Common problems can occur like infection, minor bleeding or injury to surrounding structures which can happen in open surgery also. There is about 1% chance of any serious complication in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.
I developed pain in abdomen and vomiting after a fatty meal, my family doctor advised an ultrasonography and asked to meet a general surgeon. After seeing my reports surgeon says I have Gallstones. How gall stones are diagnosed?
Thorough history of pain and vomiting after fatty meal and abdominal examination of right sided pain may give clues, Ultra Sonography of abdomen is most sensitive and specific test to diagnose Gall Bladder stones.
Sometimes CT scan and ERCP-Endoscopic retro cholangio pancreatography may be required.