We proudly support patients throughout: Suffolk County Nassau County Long Island Queens / Brooklyn (surrounding areas) Whether youre taking a GLP-1, transitioning off one, or considering surgical treatment, you can easily ask questions or schedule a consultation with Dr
179 Jan
Insurance companies don't want to cover these medications, but I think that there is a possibility that now that we have oral medicines available, they will be willing to cover it, said Aronne
Immediate Post-Procedure (1-3 days) Expect some shoulder pain from residual CO2 gas used during laparoscopy Take prescribed pain medication as directed, typically transitioning to over-the-counter options within days Begin with clear liquids, advancing to a regular diet as tolerated Walk several times daily to promote circulation and reduce gas pain Keep incisions clean and dry for 48 hours, after which showering is permitted Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first week Apply ice to incision sites to reduce swelling (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off) Monitor for fever, increasing abdominal pain, or bile-colored drainage Use prescribed anti-nausea medication if needed Expect some bruising around incision sites, which is normal Short-Term Recovery (1-2 weeks) Attend your follow-up appointment (typically 7-10 days after surgery) Continue walking daily, gradually increasing distance as comfort allows Resume driving once off narcotic pain medication and able to brake suddenly without pain (typically 3-5 days) Return to work based on your surgeon's recommendation and job requirements (typically 5-7 days for desk jobs) Begin incorporating more fatty foods gradually to assess tolerance Avoid heavy lifting (over 15 pounds) for two weeks Small incision sites will heal externally within 7-10 days Expect digestive adjustments as your body adapts to functioning without a gallbladder Use supportive pillows when coughing or laughing to reduce incisional discomfort Most patients report significant improvement in pre-operative symptoms Long-Term Expectations Complete internal healing occurs within 4-6 weeks Minimally visible incision lines typically fade significantly within 6-12 months Most patients can return to all normal activities, including exercise, after 2-3 weeks Permanent relief from gallstone-related pain for the vast majority of patients Some patients (10-15%) may experience loose stools or digestive changes that typically improve over time Bile-lowering medications may be recommended for those with persistent digestive symptoms No long-term dietary restrictions are necessary for most patients No impact on liver function or digestive enzyme production Annual check-ups help ensure continued digestive health Life without gallbladder pain allows the return to normal activities and an improved quality of life Common Side Effects Temporary pain at the incision sites, particularly at the umbilicus Mild bruising or swelling around the small incisions Discreet healing marks that typically fade over time Shoulder pain from CO2 gas used during laparoscopy Temporary bloating or digestive adjustment Mild diarrhea or looser stools in some patients Residual abdominal discomfort that resolves within days Less Common Complications Surgical site infection (occurring in less than 2% of cases) Bile leak from the liver bed or cystic duct stump Retained common bile duct stones requiring additional intervention Injury to surrounding structures (bile ducts, liver, intestine) Bleeding requiring intervention (extremely rare) Persistent diarrhea or digestive issues (bile salt malabsorption) Conversion to open procedure (5-10% of cases, usually due to severe inflammation) Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (persistent symptoms without gallbladder disease) Hernia at incision site (more common with open surgery) When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention Fever over 101F (38.3C) Severe, worsening abdominal pain Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes) Persistent nausea or vomiting Inability to tolerate liquids Drainage of bile (green-yellow fluid) from any incision Significant redness, warmth, or swelling at incision sites Chest pain or difficulty breathing Severe diarrhea or constipation Dark urine or light-colored stools Two fundamental elements contribute significantly to a smoother recovery after gallbladder removal
Just know that EVERYONE is just as sick of COVID as you are, and we all want this to be over soon
