Gallbladder surgery recovery

[Blizy]

I'm due to have my gallbladder removed next week and wondering how long the recovery is on average. I work in childcare and would like to know how much time off I'll. need to recover.

I had mine out yesterday so watching with interest!

Dorothy how are you? Hope you are not in too much pain.

I had mine out mid Feb. I would say I was feeling fine within a week but deliberately did not drive or carry heavy shopping for 3 weeks. There is a risk of hernia and I was keen to avoid that. So I would have thought 2-3 weeks for looking after children. I only took painkillers for 2 days as I am allergic to a lot of them, so this meant that I took it easy for longer that a lot of people would.

Really, it is a minor operation and I was surprised at the lack of pain. I did not get any pain at all from where my gallbladder was, but I got twinges from the lower incision sites if I stretched.

My husband had 3 weeks off of work- I think he felt a bit rough for 3 days, a lot better by the end of the week, more mobile by week 2 but week 3 was just rest to be 100% all was healed, you have to be careful of the glued incision points.

He doesn’t get pain anymore.

Not too bad thank you. I feel a bit sore and bruised but nothing like my c section. I'm up and about but having to have little rests haha.
It really wasn't as bad as I though either. I'm managing on paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Had mine out in 2012 and had a couple days that were stiff and uncomfortable but no pain afterwards.

Walking as soon as possible (and I'm talking once your clear of anaesthesia a couple hours after surgery) will help clear the gas out your body.

Most of my ache was muscular so I took unbranded Iburpofrn and lysine (aka feminax) and it kept me pain free. You can become constipated after the surgery so ask for a stool softner like laxido to help out.

For trip home you may want a pillow to hold to your stomach over the seatbelt and when coughing etc.

Oh yes, I forgot, the only pain I had to speak of was the trapped air! That hurt my neck when I lay down. That cleared within a couple of days though really.

I had my surgery last Tuesday. Stayed in overnight and got home the following morning with a prescription for solpadol, difene and something for an upset tummy. I needed to take those for a few days but by the weekend I was taking less and fewer painkillers. I was v pleasantly surprised by how easy I have had it so far! I'm off work for another 2 weeks to ensure that I continue to recover well.
Trapped air around my shoulders was probably the worst part for me infact I think there is still some discomfort in my shoulder area but not as bad as it was.

I had mine out as keyhole surgery - I was home on the same evening and had my son on my own that night. It was a bit tender for a couple of days but I was out and about the next day and took him to his swimming lesson 3 days later (with everything heavily wrapped in cling film lol!)
To be honest, it was such a relief not having the attacks anymore that I was able to get straight up and get going (but as a single parent didn’t have much choice!)

I'm so pleased to see it's now minor surgery. I had mine removed in 1981 and it was a major operation! One month in hospital, 4 months off work. Scar about 7 inches long, stitch scars 2 inches across! Whenever I go into hospital nowadays, junior doctors gather round with interest to see the scar At least yours will be nothing at all like that, OP Wishing you well

Thank you all for your replies, very much appreciated. I hope those of you who are recovering are back to 100% ASAP.
I can't wait to get the bloody monster out!

I had mine out mid afternoon, went home the following morning. I was a bit tender fir a few days, not unbearable at all. Was back at work about 12 days post op, I work on my feet all day but not too physical. When I went back I still had stitches in so I’d maybe allow 3 weeks off if you work with children.

I had mine out via keyhole surgery. I had the op in the morning, felt sick and hot and dizzy throughout the afternoon (I think that was the anaesthetic though) and was home by evening.

If the op day was day 1, days 3&4 were the most painful because of trapped wind hurting my chest and I had to sleep propped up on the arm of the settee for the first 5 days in order to feel comfortable.

After that I was up on my feet and back to normal (apart from a slight infection in one of my wounds which meant I couldn't wear a bra for a few more weeks!)

Just to add, I'm a teacher and ended up having 6 weeks off (but 2 of those weeks were due to infection and 2 more because it was the Easter holidays).

Thank you all, I had surgery on Tuesday and it didn't quite go to plan. It took over 4 hours as my gallbladder was in a state and stuck to my liver. I'm home now but in a lot of pain and feeling very nauseas and dizzy.
Onwards and upwards now the beast has gone!

Hi @blizy sorry to hear it didn't go so well. Having mine out was the best thing I've ever done but I've got to say I felt rough for two weeks so needed three off work- hope you're recovering ok.

I had my gallbladder removed 4 months ago, now I have dry burning eyes, dry skin on backs of legs and arms, not digesting essential fats, hoping this will improve with time but it's very worrying, GP is useless,
can't tolerate any fatty foods or meat gravies, if I do it's run to the bathroom, liquid poos and smelly gas,

it's not as easy as they make out, not sure I should have had it removed at all but it's too late for thinking about it now anyway. this is really getting me down.
I tried ox bile, digestive enzymes and an artichoke drink from a health food shop, didn't help, might even have made things worse, stopped taking them now, also tried sea bucthorn for the dry eyes, helped a bit I suppose,
just hoping and praying that my body will adapt in time and be able to digest the essential fats.