Avani Lekhara clinched gold in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 final with a record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024 earlier today. This marks her second medal at the quadrennial event, following her historic achievement as the first Indian woman to win gold at the Paralympics in 2020. However, five months before the Paris Paralympics, the 22-year-old shooter underwent surgery to remove gallbladder stones, a condition that had been causing her a lot of pain and impacting her training. The pain around her stomach and waist made it difficult for her to spend the usual hours at the shooting range, prompting her decision in March to have the operation.

Despite this challenging period, Lekhara triumphed at the Paris Paralympics, winning gold in the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 final at the Chateauroux Shooting Range. This victory marks her third medal at the Paralympics, adding to the gold and bronze she won at the Tokyo Games three years earlier. Her father, Praveen Kumar Lekhara, expressed relief and pride in her remarkable achievement, saying, “Avani wanted to give her best at the Paris Paralympics. So we decided to get the gallbladder removed in March this year. It took her some time to recover, and it was a tough phase. But at the end of this challenging year, she has achieved a historic feat.”

At the Tokyo Paralympics, Lekhara made history as the second Indian athlete to win multiple medals at the same Games, securing gold in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 and bronze in the 50m 3P event.

Her coach, Chandra Shekar, recalls the difficulty of getting Avani back into form after her surgery-required rest period. “Avani competed in the New Delhi World Cup last year with consistent pain, which hampered her progress. After the surgery, she was advised to rest for two months. When she resumed training, weakened muscles were the main challenge. We went back to basics, focusing on dry/shadow loading. Her body would sometimes shake during shooting due to weak neuromuscular memory post-recovery. Once her neuromuscular memory fully recovered, we gradually increased the number of targets. She was back on track just in time for Paris,” said coach Shekar.

Recovery after gallbladder stone removal, also known as a cholecystectomy, varies depending on the type of surgery performed and the individual’s overall health. Here’s a general overview:

- Hospital Stay: Most patients go home the same day or within 24 hours.

- Recovery Time: Typically, patients can return to light activities within a week. Full recovery usually takes about 2 to 4 weeks.

- Work and Daily Activities: Many people can return to work and normal activities in 1 to 2 weeks.

- Hospital Stay: A longer hospital stay of 3 to 5 days may be required.

- Recovery Time: Full recovery can take 4 to 6 weeks or longer.

- Work and Daily Activities: Patients may need to wait 4 to 6 weeks before resuming work and normal activities.

- Age and Overall Health: Older adults or those with other health conditions may have a longer recovery period.

- Post-Surgery Complications: Infections or complications may extend recovery time.

- Adherence to Post-Surgery Care: Following the surgeon’s advice regarding diet, wound care, and physical activity can speed up recovery.

- Diet: Start with a light diet and gradually return to a regular diet, avoiding fatty foods initially.

- Physical Activity: Light activities can be resumed within a few days, but heavy lifting or strenuous exercise should be avoided for at least a few weeks.

- Pain Management: Pain is typically managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, but stronger medications may be prescribed if needed.

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