Gallbladder surgery in Nepal is typically performed using one of two methods:

Dr. Surendra Shah is a pioneer renowed laparoscopic surgeon and performed thousands of laparoscopic cholecystectomy successfully.

Immediate Post-Surgery Recovery (Hospital Stay)

Day of Surgery

After your gallbladder removal surgery in Nepal, you can expect:

• Recovery Room Monitoring: You'll initially be taken to a recovery area (post-operative ward) where medical staff will monitor your vital signs for 2 to 4 hours then shift to ward.
• Pain Management: You may experience some discomfort around the incision sites. Nepali hospitals typically provide pain medications to manage this.
• IV Fluids: You'll receive fluids intravenously until you're able to drink on your own.
• Limited Movement: Nurses will encourage you to move your legs and assist you for early mobilization (out of bed) to prevent blood clots, but overall activity will be limited.

Hospital Stay Duration

• Laparoscopic Surgery: Most Nepali patients are discharged within 24 hours.
• Open Surgery: You may need to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days.

Diet After Surgery

Nepali cuisine is diverse and flavorful, but you'll need to modify your diet initially:

• Four to 5 Hours After Surgery: Clear liquids like water, apple juice, and clear broths.
• Ten to-12 Hours After Surgery Soft foods like oats meal, scrambled eggs, porridge (Jaulo), lentils soup, yogurt, etc.
• From Next Day After Surgery: Slowly add solid foods, starting with plain rice (bhaat), dal (lentil soup), and simple vegetables or plain roti with vegetable.
• Foods to Avoid Initially: Spicy foods (like traditional achar), fried items (like sel roti), and high-fat dishes including milk should be avoided for the first 2 weeks.

The First Week at Home

Pain Management

• Medication: Your doctor will prescribe pain medication available in Nepali pharmacies. Common options include paracetamol and NSAIDs.
• Incision (wound) Care: You will be adviced to clean wound on alternate day. Keep surgical sites clean and dry. Suture or stapler will be removed after 7 days

Physical Activity

• Walking: Short, gentle walks around your home are encouraged, gradually increasing distance as you feel able.
• Climbing Stairs: If you live in a multi-story home or apartment building in Nepal, take stairs slowly and with assistance initially.
• Lifting Restrictions: Avoid lifting anything heavier than 5 kg for at least 2 weeks.

Weeks 2-4: Progressive Recovery

Physical Activity

• Daily Activities: Most patients can resume normal daily activities within 1-2 weeks.
• Work: Office workers can typically return to work after 1 week. Those in physically demanding jobs common in Nepal (agriculture, construction) should wait 3-4 weeks.
• Exercise: Light exercise can resume after 2 weeks. Traditional yoga practices can be beneficial but avoid poses that strain the abdomen initially.

Dietary Adjustments

Your body will be adjusting to digesting food without a gallbladder:

• Low-Fat Diet: Continue with a low-fat diet, gradually introducing normal foods.
• Meal Timing: Smaller, more frequent meals may be easier to digest.
• Local Foods to Include: Incorporate easily digestible, nutritious Nepali foods like khichdi (rice and lentil porridge), gundruk soup (fermented leafy greens), and sisnu (nettle) soup which is high in iron. Oats meal (preferably with yogurt rather than milk) and all kinds of fruits are beneficial to health.

Long-Term Recovery and Lifestyle Changes

Digestive Changes

Without a gallbladder to store and concentrate bile, some patients experience:

• Diarrhea: Some patients experience looser stools, which usually improves over time.
• Fat Digestion: Your body may take time to adjust to digesting fatty foods. Nepali ghee and oil-based dishes should be consumed in moderation.

Follow-up Care

• Post-Surgical Visits: Attend all follow-up appointments with your surgeon at the recommended medical facilities in Nepal.
• Laboratory Tests: Most of time you don't need to do any tests. Histopathology examination of gallbladder will be asked to collect and consult your doctor.

Recommended Foods for Recovery

Conclusion

Recovering from gallbladder surgery in Nepal involves a combination of following medical advice, proper nutrition, and gradual return to activities. Most patients can expect to fully recover within 4-6 weeks, with minimal long-term lifestyle adjustments.

By understanding the recovery process and following your healthcare provider's instructions, you can ensure a smooth transition back to your normal life after gallbladder removal surgery.