An informative guide to gallbladder surgery. What a patient can expect before, after and during the procedure.

1. Your Care Experience:
Gallbladder Surgery

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Let’s face it: gallstones
are painful. And while
removing your gallbladder
may seem extreme, the
procedure could mean
lifelong relief.
We can promise you this: there’s nothing to be scared of. In
fact, because our experienced surgeons use state-of-the-art
technologies, we’re able to perform most gallbladder procedures
as stress-free outpatient surgeries. Let’s get you back to your
normal, pain-free life — together.

3. Why Choose Banner?

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General surgeons at our 28 hospitals are all masters of
minimally invasive techniques.
In 2016, surgeons at Banner Health locations in Arizona
and Colorado performed 1,483 gallbladder surgeries.
Our Experience at Work for You
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1.5K28
You’ll be happy to know that gallbladder surgery is one of the most common — and one of the safest —
general surgery procedures in the United States. And at Banner Health, you couldn’t be in better hands.

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Your Banner Health surgical team is dedicated to
making your gallbladder procedure a smooth and
stress-free experience.
Your general surgeon will be at your side on
surgery day, ready to answer any last-minute
questions, calm any anxieties or fears and
perform the procedure with care and precision.
Your anesthesiologist will take great care to
administer your anesthetic so you won’t be
awake during the procedure.
Your nursing team will help prep you for surgery,
assist during surgery and manage your care in the
recovery room.
Our Team in
Your Corner

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Many patients are apprehensive about the
unknown. But I tell them that the risk of
something bad happening with a gallbladder
procedure is lower than getting into an accident
when driving their car to the grocery store.
Jerome Collins, MD
General Surgery, Colorado

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LAPAROSCOPIC METHOD
Removal of the gallbladder using a laparoscope
and small surgical tools
OPEN METHOD
Removal of the gallbladder through a long incision
in the upper right abdomen
Types of Gallbladder Surgeries
There are two types of gallbladder surgery, also called cholecystectomy. At Banner Health, nearly
all surgeons employ the minimally invasive laparoscopic method, which involves small incisions
and the aid of a camera.

8. What to Expect

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During Your
Procedure
Once you’re calm and comfortable, your
anesthesiologist will administer the
anesthetic. With a laparoscopic procedure,
your surgeon will make four small incisions
in your abdomen and then use a tiny camera
(laparoscope) and special surgical tools to
remove your gallbladder. Your abdomen will
be filled with carbon dioxide to expand it and
make it easier for your surgeon to view and
perform the procedure.
A typical procedure takes one to one and a
half, while an open procedure with a larger
incision may take more than two hours.

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If your procedure is laparoscopic (most are), expect three or four small incisions in
your abdomen. If it’s an open procedure, expect a small incision (about four to six
inches) in the right upper portion of the abdomen.
Wear loose, baggy clothing that’s easy to slip on and off to make sure you’re
comfortable.
Care Team Tips
Before your procedure, tell your surgeon if you’re taking any new vitamins or
medications — certain medications aren’t surgery-friendly, such as blood thinners
— and follow a low-fat diet to help prevent gallbladder attacks.

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Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is one of the
most commonly performed surgical procedures
at Banner Health. Because the incisions we
make are so small, you can expect quicker
recovery times and much smaller scars.
Jerome Collins, MD
General Surgery, Colorado

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Your Recovery

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After Your
Procedure
After your procedure, you’ll be wheeled into
the recovery room to rest until you wake up. If
you had an open procedure, you’ll move from
the recovery room to a new room, where you’ll
be encouraged to get up and move around as
soon as you’re able.
Most people who undergo the laparoscopic
procedure can go home the same day.

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Care Team Tips
Don’t be alarmed if your clothes feel tight post-surgery. It’s a normal reaction to
the gas that your surgeon inserted into your abdomen during the procedure, and
the bloating will lessen in a few days.
Get up and move around as soon as you feel up to it. You can resume normal
activities (showering, climbing stairs), but stop if it hurts. After an open procedure,
avoid any strenuous activities that cause you to breathe heavily.
Avoid high-fat or spicy foods when you initially return home — they can cause
discomfort. You’ll be able to start eating normally soon after the procedure.

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I’d always just dealt with the pain, but it was
debilitating — I was finally fed up. I had my
gallbladder removed one month ago, and
everything is completely different. I can eat
anything; I can drink whatever I want. I’m not
going hungry because I’m worried about getting
a stomachache during a client meeting. I don’t
have to worry about the pain anymore.
Stephanie Kinnard
Phoenix, Arizona / Gallbladder Surgery Patient

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Q&A: The Basics
How much pain will I be in?
You’ll be under anesthesia throughout the procedure and should feel no pain. Afterward, you may feel
some soreness around the incisions. It will probably take at least a week for most of your strength
and energy to return.
Q:
What medications will I need to take?
To help manage your pain (and depending on its extent), you’ll either be prescribed pain medication
or advised to pick it up over-the-counter. Depending on your situation, your doctor will let you know
how long you’ll need them.
Q:
How physically limited will I be when I return
home?
You should be up and moving around quickly after you return home, but take it slow and easy — you
could prolong your recovery if you overexert yourself. Start with short walks and mild stretches to keep
your muscles and joints from stiffening. You shouldn’t lift anything over 20 pounds for two weeks.
Q:

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Q&A: What You’re Really Wondering
When will I be able to drive?
Avoid driving for at least two to three days (it may be longer if you’re on strong pain medication).
Ask a friend or family member in advance to help (or sign up for a ride-sharing service), and check
with your doctor before you get back behind the wheel.
Q:
When will I be able to have sex?
Good news! After any gallbladder procedure, you should be able to resume sexual activity as
soon as you feel comfortable and ready.
Q:
When will I start feeling like myself again?
The gases that are inserted during surgery may cause some bloating and gas pain for a while
afterward. Often, moving around can break up the gas and reduce discomfort. You may also
experience shoulder pain for a day or so after the procedure. After a laparoscopic procedure, you
should be back to normal in about two weeks. Recovery after an open procedure will take longer —
four to six weeks, on average.
Q:

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Your ‘What Do I Need?’ Checklist
Ask your doctor about any convenience items to buy
now, such as support pillows, a shower stool or a long-
handled shoehorn.
Thoroughly clean your home, stocking up on disposable
items such as plates, cups and utensils.
Purchase or prepare plenty of premade meals — or sign
up for an on-demand meal or grocery delivery service.
If your bedroom is located upstairs, consider a
temporary relocation to the first floor.
Remove tripping hazards, such as loose cords or rugs.
Share a spare set of keys with somebody you trust in
case of an emergency.
Even binge-watching has its limits. Think about alternative
forms of entertainment, such as reading or crafting.
Even if you’re scheduled for a laparoscopic procedure,
prepare ahead for a hospital stay in the event that you
may need one.
Pre-Op
Arrange for a loved one to take you home and stay by
your side for 24 hours.
Create a log to track your medication regimen. That way,
you don’t have to rely on memory alone.
Sign up for an on-demand help service for assistance
with unanticipated or minor needs, such as picking up
supplies or walking the dog.
Don’t shower or take a bath until your doctor says it’s
OK. Don’t tamper with strips of tape on your incision,
if you have them. Your doctor will take them off at your
follow-up visit.
Recovery
If your friends and family members are far away, use this checklist to help set yourself up for a successful recovery.
Notes

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Help your loved one review and fill out post-op paperwork.
Be prepared for your loved one to spend one to two
hours in the hospital after a laparoscopic procedure, and
three to five days in the hospital after an open procedure.
Offer emotional support to help ease anxiety.
Stock the house with plenty of fluids and comfort aids.
Check with your loved one’s insurance provider regarding
questions about copayment or deductible.
Remind your loved to wash her chest the night before
surgery to minimize the risk of infection.
The ‘How Can I Help?’ Checklist
Prepare for a laparoscopic procedure to last one to one
and a half hours, on average. If the procedure is an open
surgery, prepare for it to last two to three hours.
Since your loved one won’t be able to drive home, drive
him to the hospital one hour prior to the procedure.
Pinpoint the nearest pharmacy en route from the hospital
so you can pick up pain medication on the way home.
Procedure Day
Handle household tasks and monitor recovery.
Ensure your loved one takes medications as scheduled.
Encourage movement around the house, but prevent
heavy lifting (more than 20 pounds) for two weeks.
Accompany your loved one to follow-up visits.
Communicate any health issues or concerns as soon as
they arise.
Make sure your loved one stays away from high-fat or
spicy foods after surgery; they can cause pain, bloating
and diarrhea.
Pre-Op
Recovery
Share the following checklist with friends and family members so they know what to expect and how to help.

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