Before leaving home
Follow the fasting instructions and take only the medicines you were authorized to take, with a sip of water. Shower, do not use creams or makeup, and leave jewellery and valuables at home. Bring identification, the policy if you come with insurance, the medication list and comfortable clothes. Come with someone.
Admission
Admission handles the paperwork (if you come with insurance, the authorization letter has already been processed by the office) and you go to a room or the preoperative area. Nursing takes vital signs and places a line. The anesthesiologist sees you before you go to the operating room and answers questions about anesthesia.
In the operating room
I go in. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery usually lasts around one hour; a hernia, a similar time depending on the approach. Afterwards you go to recovery, where you are watched until the anesthesia has fully worn off, and then back to your room. Your companion is updated when we leave the operating room.
The first hours
Discomfort at the incisions is normal and, after laparoscopy, shoulder pain from the gas used during surgery; both are controlled with the prescribed analgesics. Getting up to walk as soon as you can helps recovery. Diet is restarted gradually according to tolerance.
Discharge
In the usual gallbladder scenario, discharge is the next day. You leave with written instructions: wound care, diet, activity, medicines, warning signs and the follow-up date. Follow-up is included in the reference. Any question after discharge is answered on WhatsApp during office hours; if there is a warning sign, go to the emergency department.
