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Original poster

Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Time

10 replies

OvertiredAndUnderwhelmed · 18/02/2023 20:31

Hi all - I had my gallbladder out a few days ago but due to the time I was discharged at there wasn’t any doctors on to do me a note for work. I need to go to the GP next week to get one but was just wondering how long people had off after having the same surgery? I also have a (heavy) 9 month old and am wondering if people who have had similar could say when they felt comfortable lifting their children again?

OP posts:

Deut28 · 18/02/2023 22:49

I took three weeks off in the end, which was longer than I was expecting. I was back and forth to the hospital a few times in the first week and one of my wounds reopened, so it wasn't the most straightforward recovery. I didn't look after my toddler on my own for those three weeks either as I couldn't lift her. Hope your recovery goes smoothly!

Claymorekick · 18/02/2023 22:55

I was given a sicknote for 2 weeks post surgery but I could have gone back after 1 week 🤷‍♀️ I had a non manual office job.

Can't remember about lifting my baby if I'm honest. I had a 3 yo and a 1 yo when I had it done but no idea when I was able to lift them again.

bathbombaholic · 18/02/2023 23:17

I was given a sick note for 2 weeks but could have gone back after 4 days

familyissues12345 · 18/02/2023 23:53

I'm having mine out soon, my surgeon said she routinely gives a 2 week note but due to my job being physical in places she anticipates I may need a bit longer. I've been told no lifting for 6 weeks

EweCee · 19/02/2023 00:05

3 days. Doctor said they recommended 2 weeks but once I was out of hospital (was kept in overnight due to bad reaction to anaesthetic) i recovered really quickly. Don't have a young child needing lifting thought and have a desk based wfh job.

Mother87 · 19/02/2023 00:34

I was also ok after 5/6 days really and doing normal stuff/looking after dc's...

peppermintteagirl · 19/02/2023 04:09

I had two nights in hospital and two weeks off work.

LindorDoubleChoc · 19/02/2023 04:24

I went back to work after 5 or 6 days but it was a part time desk job.

Poppiesway1 · 19/02/2023 04:44

I was off for 4 weeks. My wounds didn’t heal so was at GP’s getting them re dressed a few times a week for three weeks.. at the time of my op I had to isolate going in to hospital too, so he 5 blissful weeks off work (drastic way to get time off I know!)

Merryweather80 · 19/02/2023 05:15

Mine was started as laparoscopic but was converted to open surgery due to a complication. So recovery for me was not great. I was in hospital for five days but once I came home I was ok with pain relief and was hoovering, driving, cooking, lifting within a few days.

My children are older so I can't comment on picking them up etc but I did lift a heavy sack of pet food at around two weeks, big sacks of compost etc. I think I should have left it longer as I had an enormous bruise the following day and had to visit my GP, who naturally raised an eyebrow.
Stitches were internal, so nothing to remove. I do have form for doing daft things post op though. Like running three days post c section.

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