Now accepting Telehealth appointments. Schedule a virtual visit.
Skip to main content

GALLSTONES / GALLBLADDER SURGERY FAQ’s


 

How long is the operation?

Most laparoscopic cholecystectomy operations take about 45min to 1 hour.

What are the risk of laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered safe and relatively low risk, but with all surgeries there are risks and unforeseen complications that can happen and must be taken into consideration by the patient.  Some of the specific risks include but are not limited to the following:  bleeding, infection, arterial or venous injury, liver injury, bowel injury, biliary injury or post operative leak conversion to open surgery.  Another serious potential injury is a biliary duct injury or injury to the bile ducts.  These complications may require conversion of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery to an open cholecystectomy surgery which may lead to additional surgery(s) and complications.  As with all surgeries, there is always risks of bleeding, infections, pain, anesthesia risks and death.

Do I need my Gallbladder?
As strange as it may seem, the general medical consensus is that you don’t need your gallbladder because the gallbladder is simply a storage bag for bile.  The liver is capable of adapting and making more than enough bile to help digest your food after your gallbladder is removed. Rarely, people may have bowel changes such as loose stools after this type of surgery.

When can I shower?
If Dr. Klause used skin glue, you can shower, go the pool or ocean the same day, but if there are steri-strips or staples, you may shower in about 3 or 4 days.  Usually, the glue will fall off in 1-2 weeks.  You can remove it in three weeks if it is still there.

When can I work or drive?
Most people can drive and work soon after pain is well controlled. The criteria for driving is that the patient should not be taking any narcotic pain medication and the patient can move around comfortably enough to drive safely.

Is bruising normal?
Yes, some bruising and swelling is expected and is considered normal.  If the bruising or swelling is getting larger or expanding, call Dr. Klause’s office or go to the Emergency Room.

Do I need to have my stitches removed?
No, almost all the stitches are under the skin and will absorb in time.  They do not need to be removed.

How will I know if I have an infection?
Infections are rare but do happen nonetheless.  They generally present with expanding wound redness a few days after surgery and can present even weeks later.  Redness following surgery is normal and usually resolves in a few days.  A purple pink wound is a normal – healing wound.  If it does not clear up or goes away but then comes back again, contact Dr. Klause’s office to get instructions or go to the Emergency Room.

What should I do if I am constipated?
Constipation can happen after surgery and often does to many people. Several options for treatment include milk of magnesia, fleet enemas, Miralax, prune juice, mineral oil. Also, please drink plenty of water and consume a high fiber diet. Metamucil, Citrucel or Benefiber can also be helpful to treat and prevent constipation. If these treatments are not working, please call the office as soon as possible. Dr. Klause will commonly prescribe a stool softener to be used as needed for constipation after surgery.

Elvira Klause, MD, FACS

General Surgeon located in South Orange County, Laguna Hills, CA

Dr. Elvira Klause, M.D., FACS, is a highly skilled, board-certified general surgeon specializing in hernia repair, hemorrhoids, laparoscopic surgery, abdominal surgery, robotic surgery, breast surgery, oncological procedures and dermatology procedures at her warm and personalized offices in San Clemente, CA. Praised by patients for her small-town hospitality and extreme quality of care, Dr. Klause brings over 15 years of experience in caring for the general, breast, advanced laparoscopic, robotic, colorectal, oncologic, skin cancer and hemorrhoid surgery needs of patients throughout South Orange County. 

Dr. Klause earned a bachelor of science degree from UCLA in 1989. She received her medical training at the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1993 and completed her residency in surgery in 1999 at Martin Luther King Hospital. After earning the Chief Resident Award, she was chosen for a fellowship in trauma surgery and critical care from Martin Luther King Hospital in 2000.

In addition to providing quality care to her patients, Dr. Klause was also a clinical preceptor for the University of Southern California and a clinical associate professor for the Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant program for many years.  She was also a member-at-large for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center from 2008–2010, and Chief of Surgery from 2013-2014 also was on the Cancer Committee and the Chart Review Committee.

Dr. Klause is a board-certified diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She holds hospital privileges at Saddleback Memorial Medical CenterLaguna Hills, Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach, Surgery Center at Saddleback, Foothill Ranch Surgery Center and the Laguna Niguel Surgery Center. She is a specialist at the highly advanced single-incision laparoscopic surgery method and Robotic assisted surgery.

Dr. Klause happily lives in South Orange County along with her loving husband and three children. In her free time, she loves being a supermom for her children by helping them with crafting adventures as well as cooking delicious gourmet meals.

Elvira Klause MD FACS

Dr. Elvira Klause, M.D., FACS, is a highly skilled, board-certified general surgeon specializing in hernia repair, hemorrhoids, laparoscopic surgery, abdominal surgery, robotic surgery, breast surgery, oncological procedures and dermatology procedures at her warm and personalized offices in San Clemente, CA. Praised by patients for her small-town hospitality and extreme quality of care, Dr. Klause brings over 15 years of experience in caring for the general, breast, advanced laparoscopic, robotic, colorectal, oncologic, skin cancer and hemorrhoid surgery needs of patients throughout South Orange County. 

Dr. Klause earned a bachelor of science degree from UCLA in 1989. She received her medical training at the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1993 and completed her residency in surgery in 1999 at Martin Luther King Hospital. After earning the Chief Resident Award, she was chosen for a fellowship in trauma surgery and critical care from Martin Luther King Hospital in 2000.

In addition to providing quality care to her patients, Dr. Klause was also a clinical preceptor for the University of Southern California and a clinical associate professor for the Western University of Health Sciences Physician Assistant program for many years.  She was also a member-at-large for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center from 2008–2010, and Chief of Surgery from 2013-2014 also was on the Cancer Committee and the Chart Review Committee.

Dr. Klause is a board-certified diplomat of the American Board of Surgery and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She holds hospital privileges at Saddleback Memorial Medical CenterLaguna Hills, Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach, Surgery Center at Saddleback, Foothill Ranch Surgery Center and the Laguna Niguel Surgery Center. She is a specialist at the highly advanced single-incision laparoscopic surgery method and Robotic assisted surgery.

Dr. Klause happily lives in South Orange County along with her loving husband and three children. In her free time, she loves being a supermom for her children by helping them with crafting adventures as well as cooking delicious gourmet meals.


Read less
Why My Patients Prefer the THD Treatment
  •  Quick out-patient procedure; allows you to be home the same day!
  • NO cutting or removal of tissue, providing minimal discomfort & rapid recovery!
  • Most patients return to their normal activity within 4 days!

Call my office for an appointment, "let us see if THD can help you too!"

For more information about the noninvasive THD treatment please visit our Hemorrhoids FAQ page. 

 

Videos

Insurance

Please verify with your insurance company of the payment details and coverage.

Aetna
Blue Cross
Blue Shield
Cigna
Great West
Greater Newport Physician
HealthNet
Humana
Medicare
Memorial Care
Mission Heritage
Monarch Healthcare
Tricare
United Healthcare
Our Team

We are here to help

  • Louise  Heffern
    Louise Heffern
    Office Manager
Testimonials

Words from our patients

  • "Dr. Klause performed surgery and left me HAPPY and PAINLESS!!!, I will definitely and highly recommend Dr. Elvira Klause to my family, friends and all."

    Imani L.
  • Vitals

    "I love Dr. Klause. She is very caring and has taken excellent care of me for the last 7 years. She is the best!"

    Verified Patient
  • "Staff couldn't have been nicer. Went above and beyond to help us. I especially want to thank Louise for all her help."

    Sharon T.
  • "I highly recommend her for any kind of procedures that falls into her expertise...Thank you very much Dr. Klause"

    Stephen S.
  • "Each time I used her, despite my fears, she used her knowledge, skill and care to make every procedure very successful. I would recommend her 100%...she is the BEST!!!!"

    Verified Patient
Ask us

Feel free to email us regarding any scheduling or general questions!

Name
Email Address
Comments
Follow Us
Hours

Elvira Klause, MD, FACS
23961 Calle de la Magdalena
Suite 417
Laguna Hills, CA 92653