Question:
I have to have my gallbladder removed, I need to know recovery time?
I am having my gallbladder out and I need to know what time frame there is for recovery. I was told it is the same day surgery or one day in at the most. What i need to know is there anyone that has had the surgery either open or laproscopicly how long was it before you were up and around? I want to know if after four days were you able to get around pretty well or not? Please respond A.S.A.P., I just started a new job and am worried about a problem after the surgery. — Maria H. (posted on May 14, 2005)
May 14, 2005
Hello,
I saw your post and wanted to respond to it. I had my gallbladder removed
via lap procedure. I had it done on a Thursday afternoon and I was back
playing racquet ball the following Monday. I was super sore for the first 2
days but on the third day I was up cooking dinner and cleaning the house
and caring for our then 3 year old. And then as I said I was playing ball
the next day. However everyone heals differently. Some questions to
consider, Are you super physically active? (I ran upwards of 42 miles a
week as well as strength trained and circuit trained every other day.) How
long ago did you have your WLS? (I had my galbladder removed 5 years prior
to having mine) What is your age? (I was 29 when I had mine removed). How
much weight are you carrying? I was at around 155 pounds at the time of my
removal. These are all things to consider. I was in excellent physical
shape due to exercise.
I also went into my WLS with the twisted insane mis-informed thinking
that I would be up and back to normal in just a few days. (Wrongo!) It
literally took 2 months to feel human again after my open procedure.
You might be able to guage your healing time by other procedures that
you have had, but keep in mind that you would want to compare open
procedure with other opens, as well as Laproscopic with other laproscopic
procedures that you have had done.
One last thought to keep in mind, How much protein are you getting right
now? The greater the amount the faster your body will be able to heal from
any procedure. Also make sure that you are getting plenty of water to
maintain your hydration.
One of the worst things about having the Lap gallbladder removed is the
abdominal pain. I would suggest a pillow for the tummy during position
changes as well as when coughing.
Best of Luck and if you would like any more in depth medical info please
let me know, as I would be happy to point you in the right direction.
Christy Riederer RN-BSN/s
RNY 4/8/04 (265)-135, Currently 130 lbs. 5 pounds from goal.
— Tiny Pixie
May 14, 2005
I had my gall bladder removed lap, 16 months post-op, just about a year
ago. It was, by far, one of the easiest procedures I have ever had done. I
had it on a Monday, stayed overnight (made my surgeon keep me, but it
wasn't necessary). The next morning, I got up, took a shoer, got myself
dressed, and had my sister pick me up at the hospital. She carried my
overnight bag, and we walked 2 blocks to the car. I stayed home for the
first day or so, then went out to dinner with friends. I had the surgery
on a Monday, and went back to work the following Monday. I definitely
could have gone back sooner. Everyone is different, but if you heaal well,
you should be able to get back to work in a week.
— Fixnmyself
May 14, 2005
hi there i had my gallbladder out 4 weeks ago
i went home the next day it was done laproscopic
i was able to stay by myself and get around ok the only problem i had was
sleeping in my bed so i had to sleep on my couch for about 5 days it will
be very hard to turn and or get out of bed because of the inscision and
pain
the pain was bareable and it got better every day you may have discomfort
sitting and may find it better to sit where you can lay back to reduce the
strain on your stomach
i still have lite pain and discomfort but it is not bad i was able to
go out the second week with no problem you just should not lift nothing
heavy for a while but the surgery itself was worth it 2 days after the
surgery i knew i felt better and it was going to be alright
God bless and keep you! MAY
— sparkle56
May 14, 2005
I had Lap Gallbladder removal 18 months ago. It was my first surgery ever
and it was 3 months after having my first child. I was taking care of my
child by my self at the end of 6 days I had no problems it is day sugery. I
went home slept and was up and around (a little slower than normal) the
next day. I was at normal activities by 7 days no problem.
— Amanda A.
May 14, 2005
Hi, Just writing to let you know that I agree with the others. I had a lap
gallbladder removal, and it was one of the easiest operations I had. I had
some pain, but nothing that was out of control. They will give you pain
meds. I was up and about pretty soon after surgery. I felt pretty good in a
week. Good luck.
Lisa
— spiritprism
May 15, 2005
Lap gallbladder surgery is usually an outpatient surgery. Meaning less
than a 24 hour stay. I had mine removed and was home in less than 12
hours. Within two days I could barely tell I had even had surgery. Good
luck.
— RebeccaP
May 15, 2005
Hi Maria,
I had my gall bladder removed in 1990, by open surgery. It was open
because laporoscopics were just developing then. Most gall bladder
surgeries are now done lap. Because my surgery was open, I was in the
hospital for four days. They wouldn't let me go home until I could walk
comfortably, and had to have a bowel movement. My total recovery time was
about four weeks. I have had no problems with attacks since the gb and
stones were removed. I hope this is helpful. Good luck to you, and
congratulations on your continued good health.
— DianaE
May 15, 2005
I had my gallbladder out in March. I was out of work for 3 days. Recovery
time was a piece of cake compared to the GBS.
Debbie
— IamDebbie
May 15, 2005
I must be an oddball on this one. I thought having my gallbladder out was
much worse then my bypass. I had mine done laproscopically, they even used
my bypass incisions. I was in the hospital for 2 days after, but I just
felt like crap for probably about 6 weeks. I had no energy, and honestly
was in a lot of pain. I did go back to work about 7 days after the surgery,
but I had to force myself to do it. Thanks God for my husband and mother,
cause I would come home at night and just die. It did finally get better
but like I said took about 6 weeks.
Bridget
— Mini Gadget
May 15, 2005
I had my gallbladder out on a Tuesday and went home that aftenoon without
any pain. I had already scheduled taking the rest of the week off from
work, which I did, but I was back in the gym on Friday walking on the
treadmill. Not my usual workout as my doctor said to keep it low key for a
little while. I had mine out laproscopically using 2 of my incisions from
my bypass. This was by far the easiest surgery I ever had and I've had 5
other major surgeries.
— Sue F.
May 16, 2005
I had an outpatient LAP gallbladder removal on a Wednesday. Could have
EASILY went back to work on Monday. I really only had 1 day of pain (the
day of surgery) and was out shopping by Friday - no problems. I will tell
you that I walked like an idiot 3 to 4 weeks before the surgery on a daily
basis for about 2 miles. I think it helped in getting the excess gas out
of my stomach which is what causes so much of your pain.
— Patty H.
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