What To Expect After Gallbladder Surgery
Although laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery is usually safer than traditional gallbladder surgery it’s still a major abdominal operation and a certain amount of post-operative pain occurs. Once liquids can be tolerated the patient is usually allowed to leave the hospital. This can occur either the same day or the day after the surgical procedure.
Here’s what to expect after laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery:
- Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon.
- Activity should be limited but this depends entirely on how the patient feels. Walking at a leisurely pace is encouraged.
- A few days after the surgery the surgical dressings will be removed by the patient. The surgeon will tell the patient when it’s safe to do this.
- Patients can usually engage in normal activities like driving, walking up stairs and light lifting 7-10 days after the surgery.
- Patients also usually return to work 7-10 days after the surgical procedure. However this varies based on the type of work the patient engages in . Patients with primarily sedentary jobs (desk and office jobs, computer work, writing jobs, etc.) may be released by the doctor to return to work before those with jobs that require more physical activity (construction worker, package delivery jobs, athletic coaching, etc.). Your doctor will help you make this decision.
You doctor will probably request that you set up a follow-up appointment so your surgical incisions can be examined after the operation. The appointment usually takes place 2 weeks after the surgery.
For additional information on gallbladder surgery recovery issues see:
Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Times
Filed Under Gallbladder Surgery Recovery | 20 Comments
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[...] that outline steps recommended for preparing for gallbladder surgery and provide insight on what to expect after gallbladder surgery. Read Similar posts on Diseases and Conditions [...]
[...] Gallstones can sometimes be treated by having the stones themselves removed (endoscopic surgery) or by being dissolved. The symptoms of gallstones can sometimes be minimized by an adjustment in one’s diet. However, the most common and permanent procedure for removing gallstones is gallbladder removal surgery. As recently as ten years ago this required the surgeon to make a 5″-8″ incision in the abdominal area through which the gallbladder was removed. Presently, most gallbladders are removed laparoscopically, which just requires 4 small incisions through which tiny instruments (a small scope with a camera, a small scope with a cutting tool) are placed. This type of surgery greatly reduces the patient’s hospital stay – many patients return home a few hours after the surgery. Recovery time is also reduced. Approximately 500,000 Americans have their gallbladders removed each year making this surgical procedure one of the most common in the U.S. About the Author: Scarlett Moore has written articles that outline steps recommended for preparing for gallbladder surgery and provide insight on what to expect after gallbladder surgery. [...]
i had my gallblader removed
everytime i eat i get upset stomach go to bath room 15 m after i eat i am rum down bad & week why
what is the swelling around my belly from 2 days after removal?
Had galbladder surgery 4 days ago i am constipated what do i need todo
I also had my gallbladder surgery about 5 days ago. You are constipated due to the pain killers that were prescribed to you. Increase fiber and water in your diet, also you make take a stool softener such as Colace to help with the problem.
I am 19 years old, and had my gallbladder removed 4 days ago. I have been recovering amazingly, but also have a 2 month old daughter to take care of so after the first day i was lifting and holding her. Today i started having not bad but pain in my abdomin where i had the same pain when i had attacks from the gallstones. I was not taking the pain meds because i have an extremly high pain tolerence, and did not feel the need for them and today i had to take them. I just want to know is it normal for me to have the same pain i was experiencing before the surgry? I would have thought that pain would have ended with my gallbladder being removed.
on the 3rd of april i had my gallblatter removed about a week after i would eat and certain foods make me feel sick to my stomach it feels like the food is just laying in my stomach ever since my gallblatter has been removed. I am in so much pain. i was in the hospital for 3 days i was in escruciating pain. I could not void anything (pee) i told the nurses and it was ignored i was pushed out of the hospital practically by the surgeons etc. they did a ultrasound of my blatter and i was holding around 1000ml of urine in my blatter i voided 300ml and that was it… they ended up giving me a fully cath and sent me home i had blood in the bag went to hospital had a UTI i am still in a lot of pain. what could be causing this pain.
Is it normal for harding in the surgery areas from galbladder surgery
I had surgery 3 weeks ago and had my gall bladder removed and near the belly button and the incision above that are rashed and have been since I went home from the surgery, and it itches sooo bad that I have a hard time sleeping at night…what is going on??? It drives me crazy and benedrill cream is not helping much. Is there a problem?
I had surgery 6days ago. I keep loosing weight. My stomach was always tight but immediately after surgery it was distorted real bad and still is. I have no problem with bowel movements but I stay real weak. I feel, from all the stories I hear, I should be a lot mre ambitious than I am. I still have minimal pain in various areas.
I hope you all don’t get upset with me but I could not find help anywhere else. my neighbor’s Yorkie had gallbladder surgery Nonday and now when he drinks water he throws it back up. Should his water be limited for a few days. I am very sorry you all are having these problems and I sincrely hope you feel better.
Just had gallbladder surgery 4 days ago, the pain is terrible, but I won’t tell anyone. I think these insurance companies, doctors and hospitals throw you out way too fast ! How do they know if you have a reaction to anything ! They wonder why they are being sued so much ! I felt like I was an object – not a person during this operation. What the hell is this medical field coming too ? People aren’t going into the medical field to help anyone anymore – it’s all for the money !!
I had my gallbladder out 2 weeks ago Im still suffering from back and abdominal pain feeling stressed about eating anything is this normal to still have this pain really disappointed
I am right there with all you gallbladder removal patients.. Ugh !!! This is now Day # 8 … and I did not feel this bad before my surgery !!!
I perhaps have done too much. but I am bored and not used to lying around. I have not had pain meds for two full days and today I had to take a percocet. The mid region of my belly hurts and feels like it is tight and pulling. I am aware that stitches were made inside and out .. and therefore as it heals there will be some pulling.. But I was pain free for two days and now I hurt !!! Arrrgh !! I go back to the surgeon in a week and praying I did not over do anything . I sympathize with you all and I am sorry I had it removed !!! I think these blogs are great and it is helpful to see there are others in the same boat as me !!
If I can be of any help.. Just ask !!
Thanks and Happy Healing !
Beth
Im sittin in the hospital. just got an ultra sound. Now waiting to have my gallbladder removed. Im in so much paid. Now. Im praying I dont feel pain like this after the surgery.
I had gall bladder surgery a little over two weeks ago. After surgery, I had soooo much pain from the gas they put in my stomach, but I’m feeling much better now. Take lots and lots of gas x and alternate between the pain pills and ibuprofen (MAKE SURE TO EAT SOMETHING WITH THE PILLS or you’ll be throwing up which is NOT fun), but keep ahead of the pain. Also, I’ve found that wearing a “support” tank top helps and keeps pressure on it.
What I’m having problems with now is a spasm like pain that comes and goes around the middle incision from the laproscopic surgery. Quite literally, like I have a stitch in my side. lol I go back to the doctor Thursday, but just wondering if this is normal or should I call them before I go back? It isn’t constant or so painful that I need to take something. Just really annoying and for that split second, I’m in really bad pain.
I had my gall bladder removed 2 days ago. I am happy to say that I feel better than i felt during my gall bladder attack. I have had some gas, but I continue to slowly walk around. I made sure to take my pain meds every 4 to 5 hours so that I did not have terrible pain. My stomach is a little swollen and my belly button is a little raw from the tape, but neosporin is helping. I had a great experience at the hospital(Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta..Great People)and i am resting comfortably.
I just had my gallbladder removed on April 30th 2012. I am a 55 yr old woman. It is day 2 and all I am having is some pain around the area the gallbladder was removed. I have had no headaches, nausea , shoulder pain, and no pain by the other two incisions. I have had no problems with eating or drinking. Of course I have not a full blown meal yet. No issues with using the bathroom. I am very happy with the outcome so far.
I had my gallbladder out 6 days ago, May 4th 2012. It was removed laproscopically. Around one of the incisions it is a bit swollen and very sore. It is not red or feverish, just swollen. I kind of looks like a vein swollen.????? Anyway, been very constipated and nauseated (after I eat)…WHEN WILL THIS GET BETTER????? I’m getting very frustrated.