Gallbladder Removal Surgery in Portugal

Approximately 1 hour

Laparoscopic surgery: 1 to 2 days Open Incision surgery: 2 to 6 days

General anesthesia

Recovery in a laparoscopic surgery is faster that an open incision surgery. During the stay in the hospital: - An incentive spirometer is used for the patient to breathe. This ensures that the lungs work well and remain healthy against the risk of pneumonia. - Intravenous fluids are given to the patient before starting normal food and drinks. - The patient may be required to wear pressure stockings that help in the prevention of blood clotting.

- The patient may have 1 or 2 drainage tubes in the abdomen which is used to remove any fluid left in the abdomen and to drain bile. These will be removed in 2 to 4 weeks. The doctor’s instructions on taking care of these drains should be followed carefully. - After getting discharged from the hospital, the patient should not drive home from the hospital. An arrangement should be made for someone to drive the patient home. - The patient should not be involved in strenuous activities and lifting heavy objects. - The doctor may prescribe pain medications to ease the pains on the surgical wounds. - The doctor’s instructions on treating the wounds should be followed carefully. - The wound area should be kept clean and dry. The patient should inform the doctor if the following symptoms occur: - Fever above 101 degree Fahrenheit - Bleeding and pus formation on surgical wounds - Breathing difficulty - Severe abdominal pain - Coughing that does not recover - Unable to eat or drink - Stool is gray in color - Skin becomes yellow in color