How long did you take off for gallbladder op?

[itsallbowlsbaby]

I only started my new job six months ago but am fortunate that it offers full private healthcare so am able to have my gallbladder removed privately. They have offered a date for the middle of November. I'm sure work would be fine with me taking the time off, but how long feasibly would I need? I am desk based and primarily WFH apart from one/two days in the office.

Two weeks, but only because it was as a result of an emergency admission, following a week in hospital with jaundice or pancreatitis.
You will probably be fine after a day or two, especially if you can WFH. Just ask your surgeon about driving, as advice can change on that.

I had 3 weeks off. However I had complications, bad reaction to the anaesthetic and a job that involved driving. You might be able to get back earlier.

I was given a mandatory 2 weeks. Straight forward op for me, no complications. Definitely needed the first week and could probably wfh doing admin bits the 2nd week, but to he dair, it took me nearly a month to seemingly get back to myself. I found I tired quickly and had a foggy head (presuming the anaesthetic).

My friend needed six weeks. It really depends on how the surgery goes, what you do for a living and how well you recover.

I was told that two weeks was the norm but I ended up needing three.

Two weeks for me too, it takes a good week to get over it, I was really tired and even when I went back to work it was a good couple of months before I felt normal' again.

Ditto. Although I found standing so much easier than working sitting down.

I must have been really lucky I was up and running the next day, I washed ( mop and bucket) the floors downstairs, vacuumed throughout ( didn't have to carry vac upstairs though, we've got two) made my own food and drink and walked three dogs twice.

Almost exactly this.

I had a total of 3 weeks 1 week before the surgery while I was admitted to hospital on IV antibiotics and they tried to fix the infection without surgery. Then 2 weeks after the surgery because they finally accepted that taking the bloody thing out was the best option.

Six weeks as mine turned, unexpectedly, to open surgery mid-operation. Five days in hospital I think.

I was off work for 6 weeks but it was a physical job

I had two weeks which I was told to take and was the usual. I know I couldn’t have driven comfortably for at least a week to 10 days. I could have WFH for the second week quite happily but my job is all computer based.

I was 4 weeks, with two of those in hospital. I also had a desk job so could take things easier and ease back into things. Had I been on my feet all day, or carrying things, it probably would have been another 3-4 weeks before I was back up to full speed.

It really depends on how old you are, what you do for a job, and how the op goes. I had the Op at age 35ish, no complications, went horse riding a week later. My mum had it in her 60's - in hospital for 10 days, pancreatis, an awful time & lots of pain. They apparently didn't get it all out and then had to do it again

One week as it was Christmas and I had the leave booked anyway.

@itsallbowlsbaby has anyone mentioned "gas pain" you get it in your shoulders it's the weirdest thing. Not trying to scare you, I wasn't warned. I was ill for a while, got a GP appointment and they realised how serious it was and wanted to blue light me to the hospital I refused as ambulances are for poorly ppl! I walked to the hospital

You get told 2 weeks for an elective laparoscopic op.

I was fine after a week but took the 2.

However if you have complications it can be longer

two weeks is fine if you have a normal op but for me it was the mental stress - I found myself quite emotional and stressed really easily when I went back to work. It was the shock of the operation and the anaesthetic I think. It took it out of me. Physically after two weeks I was totally fine.

My oh took a week off but he was basically fine after 4-5 days and could wfh. He went back in to the office after just over a week.
He wasn't told to take two weeks off, I hadn't realised he took a lot less time than many people.

5 days, but then I am self employed so was keen to return to work. The anaesthetic was the worse part!

I was signed off for two, but could have gone back after 1 tbh.

My DD had hers out about 3 weeks ago her surgeon advised 2 weeks off for a lap chole but she got bored and only took a week off

1 week but I worked from home all the time then.

Peppermint tea helps with this

4 weeks and I was in pain for the whole 6 weeks
it took me 8 weeks to recover
I ended up back in accident and emergency twice because of the pain and each time I was told that I am still healing and that was the problem
A year later I was diagnosed with bile malabsorption disorder. It happens for many people who have their gallbladder out. Basically you’re getting too much bile because there is no gallbladder and it was causing diarrhoea stomach pain, gas and bloating. I don’t get the diarrhoea anymore but I still get the pain and bloating so I’m on medication now
. I found my incisions took a little while to heal make sure you’re taking a multivitamin. It really does help with healing. Boots scar serum is good too or bio oil for when it’s fully healed . Stay away from fats