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Cholecystectomy Preparation Guide: Recovery and Common Side Effects

Written by healthwords.ai's team of doctors and pharmacists based in UK | Updated: 15 Jul 2025 | 5 min read

A cholecystectomy is a surgery to remove the gallbladder, a small organ under your liver. The gallbladder stores bile, which helps your body digest fats. You can live a normal life without your gallbladder.

Why Do People Need This Surgery?

  • Gallstones: Hard lumps that block bile flow and cause pain or infection.

  • Cholecystitis: Swelling or infection of the gallbladder, usually from gallstones.

  • Biliary Dyskinesia: When the gallbladder doesn’t empty bile properly, causing pain.

  • Gallbladder Polyps: Small growths that could become cancerous, though this is rare.

The surgery helps stop pain and prevents more problems from these issues.

Types of Cholecystectomy Surgery

There are two main types of cholecystectomy procedures:

  1. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (minimally invasive):

    • This is the most common method used for gallbladder removal. It involves making 3-4 small incisions in the abdomen. A laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera) is inserted through one of these incisions, allowing the surgeon to see inside the abdomen on a screen. Surgical instruments are used through the other incisions to remove the gallbladder.

    • Benefits: Shorter hospital stay, faster recovery, less pain, and smaller scars.

    • Recovery Time: Most patients can go home the same day or the next and resume normal activities within a week.

  2. Open Cholecystectomy (more invasive):

    • This traditional approach involves making a larger incision (about 10-15 cm) in the upper right abdomen to access and remove the gallbladder directly. It is usually performed when laparoscopic surgery is not suitable, such as in cases of severe inflammation, scarring from previous surgeries, or complications during the procedure.

    • Benefits: Provides better access for the surgeon in complex cases.

    • Recovery Time: Longer hospital stay (3-5 days) and a more extended recovery period of about 4-6 weeks.

Getting ready for surgery

Before Surgery:

  • Tests: You’ll have blood tests and an ultrasound or CT scan.

  • Meetings: Meet your surgeon and anesthetist to discuss the surgery and anesthesia.

  • Diet: Eat less fatty and greasy food. Eat more fruits, veggies, lean meats, and whole grains.

  • No Smoking or Alcohol: Quit smoking and avoid alcohol before surgery.

  • Medications: Tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take. Some, like blood thinners and certain herbal supplements, may need to be stopped to prevent bleeding.

Mental Preparation:

  • Practice deep breathing to calm nerves.

  • Try mindfulness or meditation.

  • Learn about the surgery to feel more in control.

What happens on surgery day

  • Check-in: Arrive at the hospital, check in, and change into a hospital gown.

  • Prepping: Nurses check your vital signs and start an IV.

  • Anesthesia: The anesthetist explains that you’ll be asleep during surgery.

  • Surgery: The surgeon removes your gallbladder using either the laparoscopic or open method.

  • Time: Laparoscopic surgery takes 1-2 hours; open surgery takes 2-3 hours.

After Surgery: The First 1-2 Days

  • Recovery Room: Nurses watch you as you wake up.

  • How You’ll Feel: You might feel sleepy, sore, or nauseous. Pain medicine will help.

  • Moving: Nurses may help you get up and walk a little to prevent blood clots.

  • Going Home: Most people go home the same day after laparoscopic surgery. Open surgery patients stay longer.

Eating Again:

  • Start with clear liquids (water, broth, juice).

  • Move to easy foods like rice, toast, bananas, or applesauce.

  • Avoid fatty or fried foods at first.

  • Eat small meals more often.

Tips for healing at home

Taking Care of Your Wounds:

  • Keep cuts clean and dry.

  • Use mild soap and water, and pat dry.

  • Change bandages as your doctor says.

Managing Pain:

  • Take pain medicine as prescribed.

  • Use cold packs to reduce swelling.

  • Try over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.

Staying Active:

  • Take short walks to help healing.

  • Don’t lift heavy things or do hard exercise for 4-6 weeks.

  • Listen to your body and rest when needed.

Handling Common Side Effects:

  • Diarrhea: Eat low-fat foods and foods with fiber like oats and bananas.

  • Bloating/Gas: Walk around, avoid fizzy drinks, and try herbal teas.

  • Feeling Tired: Get plenty of sleep, drink water, and eat healthy foods.

When to call your doctor

Call your doctor or go to the hospital if you have:

  • A fever over 100.4°F (38°C)

  • Severe pain that doesn’t get better

  • Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)

  • Pus or bad-smelling fluid from your cuts

  • Constant nausea or vomiting

Follow-Up Visits

Go to all your follow-up appointments. Your doctor will:

  • Check your cuts for infection

  • See how you’re healing

  • Tell you when you can go back to normal activities

Helpful Products for Recovery

  • Support Garments: Special belts or binders to support your belly and reduce pain.

  • Pain Relief: Over-the-counter painkillers, cold or heat packs, and topical gels.

  • Wound Care: Antiseptic wipes, sterile dressings, and silicone scar sheets for healing.

Conclusion

Recovering from gallbladder surgery takes time and care. Follow your doctor’s advice, keep your wounds clean, eat healthy, and watch for any warning signs. With good care, you’ll be back to your normal life soon.

This article has been written by UK-based doctors and pharmacists, so some advice may not apply to US users and some suggested treatments may not be available. For more information, please see our T&Cs.