Gall Bladder Surgery

The Surgical Group of Southwest Michigan

The Surgical Group of Southwest Michigan

269.381.4577, or Toll-Free at 1.800.211.0666

Medical Specialties Building

1535 Gull Road, Suite 020

Kalamazoo, MI 49048

vascular Laboratory

Accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL), our Vascular Laboratory is located within our office in Suite 020 of the Medical Specialties Building. We perform carotid artery evaluation, arterial and venous evaluation of upper and lower extremities, thoracic outlet evaluation, abdominal aortic evaluation and various general ultrasound and studies.

Our certified vascular laboratory offers screening of carotid arteries, abdominal aorta and peripheral arteries at nominal cost. All three exams take less than 20 minutes and results are given to the patient and sent to the primary care physician upon request.

Watch for these things, and call if you note any of them:

Increased swelling or pain.
Increased redness.
Foul smelling drainage.

Check your incision areas daily until healed. If you are unable to see the incisions, use a mirror or have a family member check it for you.

Do not apply lotions or ointments to the incisions.

Leave the dressing on until you are seen for your first follow-up visit to our office.

Check your temperature if you feel warm, and call if it remains over 100 degrees for 2 days.

It is normal to have some referred pain in the shoulders and upper chest area after your surgery. This pain is produced by the gas used to assist the laparoscopic surgery, and may last for a few days. Moving about will help this pain decrease.

If bowel activity does not return in three to four days, call the office for further instructions.

Activities:

There are no lifting restrictions.
Be careful when pushing, pulling or straining.
Walking up and down steps is permitted.
Showering is permitted with the dressing over the incision sites. No tub bathing.
No driving until after your first follow-up visit.
No long trips during the first two weeks following surgery.
Sexual activity may resume depending upon comfort level.

During the first week, general movements around the house are encouraged. Increase your activities gradually on a daily basis.

You may increase your movements during the second week, gradually increasing the time you walk each day.

By one month after surgery, your activities should be back to normal.

Diet

Follow a low-fat diet for about one month following surgery. You may then resume a general diet as tolerated.

Medications

We will review your medications with you at the time of your discharge from the hospital. Please call if you experience any adverse reactions (hives, rash, swelling, dizziness, itching, nausea, vomiting) to your medications.