In the initial Visit your doctor may:

• Ask your medical history and the current medications that you are taking and any history of allergy to any drugs.

Note: Inform your doctor if you are pregnant so that the doctor can take adequate precautions while doing the surgery.

• Request some investigations like blood tests, urine examination, X-rays and certain scans like Ultrasound (USG)/ Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) before the procedure.
• Ask you to discontinue medications (if you are on blood thinners), 5 to 6 days before the surgery, as they increase the risk of bleeding during and after the procedure. 
• Explain the procedure and about any follow-up surgery if needed, after the initial surgery.
• Inform you to arrange the necessary things that you would require during your hospital stay. You may be allowed to go home the same day after surgery but usually, overnight or 1 to 2 days stay in the hospital is advised. 
• Advise you not to eat any food or consume any liquid (nil per oral), 8 to 12 hours before the surgery.

Before The Surgery, in the hospital:

• You will be given a hospital/theatre gown to wear before going to the surgery.
• You will be given an enema to empty your bowels.
• You will be asked to take a shower with an antiseptic scrub lotion/liquid before the surgery.
• The nurse will shave off any hair present in your abdominal/groin area.
• You will have a fitness check-up with the anaesthetist before going ahead with the surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed in the hospital under general anaesthesia, which means you will be unconscious and will not feel any pain during the surgery. 

• An intravenous line in your arm will be established for infusion of anaesthetic drugs and other fluids and a tube will be passed down your throat into your trachea (windpipe) that will enable you to breathe involuntarily (without effort) when you are unconscious during the surgery. 
• A few (3 to 4) small incisions (cuts) on your abdomen will be made. A thin tube with an attached video camera will be inserted into the abdomen through one of these incisions (a laparoscope). The surgeon will guide the other instruments (tools) through the incision and will also inflate your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas.
• The gallbladder is cut and removed with the stone(s) (if present) and any debris (crushed stones) is also removed by the instruments through the incisions.
• After removing the gallbladder, the doctor will perform an x-ray with a dye injection or an ultrasound to look for any abnormalities in the bile duct structure. Once your surgeon is convinced that there is no abnormality or stone in your bile duct, your abdomen is closed and incisions are stitched up with sutures or staples. A small dressing (bandage) is done on all the incisions.
• After the surgery, you will be shifted to the post-operative care room for monitoring.

After the procedure, you will stay in the recovery room for a few hours until the effect of the anaesthesia wears off. 

• Your vital signs such as pulse rate, body temperature, and blood pressure will be monitored during this time. Painkillers will be given by your doctor to provide relief.
• Once you are stable, you will be moved to a general ward and will be advised to start ambulating (walking) with assistance the same day after your surgery to prevent the formation of blood clots and infections.
• You will be given a fat-free diet and will be instructed to follow the same diet for some days at home.
• You will be discharged the next day or in 2 to 3 days after surgery, once the pain subsides and you are able to ambulate.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has several advantages such as:

• Smaller incisions and therefore smaller scars 
• Less pain as the wound heals quicker
• A shorter recovery time
• A shorter hospital stay and therefore lower expenses