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Original poster

Returning to work after gallbladder surgery ?

34 replies

lotteloo · 10/04/2023 21:27

What is the norm? From others that have had this surgery?
So far I've taken 6 weeks off sick after gallbladder surgery.
I still have really sore ribs and stomach pains every few days but not every day. My digestive system is all messed up (diarrhoea after eating at least once a day).
I am due back to work Thursday but not sure whether to have longer off but I just feel bad because feel like I should be fully better by now.

OP posts:
FitAt50 · 10/04/2023 21:30

Heck - I thought you were pre-surgery and were asking for recovery time. I had my gallbladder out on the Tuesday and was back at working the following Monday. NHS website suggests 2 weeks off before returning to work.

PickledPurplePickle · 10/04/2023 21:31

I had just over 2 weeks off

Was it keyhole?

WhoWants2Know · 10/04/2023 21:31

Was it open surgery or laparoscopic?

I had a laparoscopic gallbladder removal in August and returned after 10 days because of where the weekend fell. I would have been ok to go back on day 7.

Open surgery would obviously be much longer and depends on the type of work.

Wafflehouse · 10/04/2023 21:33

Depends on what your job is, I was an hca on a ward where there was a lot of heavy lifting when I had mine out (keyhole), my gp wouldn’t let me back before 6 weeks. If I’d had a desk job, probably a week or two?

Original poster
lotteloo · 10/04/2023 21:34

It was keyhole.
Meant to add my job is manual shift work on my feet all day /lifting / pushing etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
lotteloo · 10/04/2023 21:34

FitAt50 · 10/04/2023 21:30

Heck - I thought you were pre-surgery and were asking for recovery time. I had my gallbladder out on the Tuesday and was back at working the following Monday. NHS website suggests 2 weeks off before returning to work.

What is your job?

OP posts:
mynameiscalypso · 10/04/2023 21:35

I think a manual job makes a difference. I was back to my office job after 2 weeks but I got married about a month later and definitely couldn't do anything too active and I was still bleeding.

FitAt50 · 10/04/2023 21:44

lotteloo · 10/04/2023 21:34

What is your job?

Show quote history

I was a catering manager so not much lifting but on my feet all day.

FarmersWife2019 · 10/04/2023 21:47

I was on maternity leave when I had my gallbladder removed last June so I didn’t have to go back to work but I did have a 5mo baby to look after so lots of physical demands. I felt back to normal after a week(ish).
I’m sorry you’re struggling with sore ribs and stomach pains. The diarrhoea may take some time to resolve whilst your body gets used to processing food without a gallbladder. Over the counter Buscopan helped me with phantom pains as it’s an antispasmodic.

MintyCedric · 10/04/2023 21:47

I had two weeks off after mine but tbh probably should have taken longer. I wasn’t too uncomfortable but I’d never had a GA before and I was sooo tired.

I'm not a big sleeper at all but the first week I was probably getting 10 hours a night and having a long afternoon nap.

Original poster
lotteloo · 10/04/2023 21:52

FarmersWife2019 · 10/04/2023 21:47

I was on maternity leave when I had my gallbladder removed last June so I didn’t have to go back to work but I did have a 5mo baby to look after so lots of physical demands. I felt back to normal after a week(ish).
I’m sorry you’re struggling with sore ribs and stomach pains. The diarrhoea may take some time to resolve whilst your body gets used to processing food without a gallbladder. Over the counter Buscopan helped me with phantom pains as it’s an antispasmodic.

Mine actually happened just as my maternity leave finished so I haven't been back to work yet and my baby is over 1.
Thank you will try the buscopan

OP posts:
Mummyme87 · 10/04/2023 21:55

I had laparoscopic and had 4weeks off. I’m a midwife on labour ward so fairly active

Honeyroar · 10/04/2023 22:02

My husband was back within a week or two. He’s a mechanic. I don’t think he did any really heavy jobs for another few weeks, but definitely manual work. He’s a real tough cookie though, and has had some huge operations over the past couple of decades. This felt like a little one to him (not saying it is at all).

hexsnidgett · 10/04/2023 22:10

I was signed off for 4 weeks, but went back after 3 as I would have been disciplined otherwise.
Tbh I really didn't feel completely right for a couple of months. If you are still in pain and don't feel you can be away for the loo for long, then see your gp and get signed off. Everyone is different.

rhow · 10/04/2023 22:17

I had mine out via key hole and I played netball 8 days later.

annonymousse · 10/04/2023 22:27

I was 6 weeks or so. My recovery was apparently slower than average as I had pancreatitis which is why my gb was removed. Going by friends previous experience I was expecting a couple of weeks max. I got told off by my gp for doing too much and trying to go too fast.

Ted27 · 10/04/2023 22:29

@lotteloo

I had 4 weeks off and could probably have done with another week. I worked in an office.
Ive seen so many of these threads - there will always be someone who was running a marathon after a week. I was torn to shreds on one thread for saying I was off for four weeks.
Truth is there will be many factors in your recovery. I was quite poorly for the seven or so months I was on the waiting list so my recovery was not just about the surgery itself. It was 5 days before I could walk for more than a few minutes and a week until I had a meal which wasnt soup or toast. The first meal I had I was violently sick and couldnt eat for another two days.

Take the time you need and don’t worry about what other people did.

junebirthdaygirl · 10/04/2023 22:32

Teaching and went back after 3 weeks as recommended by the surgeon. But doing manual work is different and l had absolutely no issue with diet etc so l was good to go. Listen to your own body.

Original poster
lotteloo · 11/04/2023 10:46

Ted27 · 10/04/2023 22:29

@lotteloo

I had 4 weeks off and could probably have done with another week. I worked in an office.
Ive seen so many of these threads - there will always be someone who was running a marathon after a week. I was torn to shreds on one thread for saying I was off for four weeks.
Truth is there will be many factors in your recovery. I was quite poorly for the seven or so months I was on the waiting list so my recovery was not just about the surgery itself. It was 5 days before I could walk for more than a few minutes and a week until I had a meal which wasnt soup or toast. The first meal I had I was violently sick and couldnt eat for another two days.

Take the time you need and don’t worry about what other people did.

Thank you. I thought people may be a bit harsh on here which they can be.
The problem is , if I was genuinely 100 percent I'd be eager to get back and I only do 20 hours a week anyway (since having a baby). But the kind of place I work they run you into the ground and have no sympathy (eg wouldn't put me on lighter duties). I have phoned GP and asked for an extension for 2 weeks.
If I was going back to a job that was well managed and I know I'd be eased back in with a lot of support I may have pushed myself to go in.

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 11/04/2023 13:11

I hope I didn’t sound harsh when I said my husband went back to work quickly and is a tough cookie. It’s just what happened and I’m not judging. You’re ready when you’re ready.. I had the same shoulder operation twice. One time took ages to get movement back, the other time it came back much quicker.

Marchforward · 11/04/2023 13:13

I had key hole surgery. I was off for two weeks, admitted as an emergency on the Monday, operated on the Thursday, home on the Friday and then I had another week off.

I was tired after the GA and lack of sleep in hospital. I was a teacher so lots of pressure to return, I found teaching OK but sitting to mark was uncomfortable.

PinkButtercups · 11/04/2023 14:45

Not the same surgery but DP had keyhole hernia operation two weeks ago and gone back to work today. His sick note did cover him for 6 weeks but he simply can't afford to.

Have you spoke to anyone about the pain you still experience?

Original poster
lotteloo · 11/04/2023 16:45

PinkButtercups · 11/04/2023 14:45

Not the same surgery but DP had keyhole hernia operation two weeks ago and gone back to work today. His sick note did cover him for 6 weeks but he simply can't afford to.

Have you spoke to anyone about the pain you still experience?

At my work we get full sick pay luckily.
Yes I have contacted Gp. I never had a follow up with the surgeon they just discharged me.
Worried as to why I'm still experiencing pain. My friend who had hers removed said her bowels have never been the same since though so I may have to just find ways to manage that side of things.

OP posts:
Original poster
lotteloo · 11/04/2023 16:47

Honeyroar · 11/04/2023 13:11

I hope I didn’t sound harsh when I said my husband went back to work quickly and is a tough cookie. It’s just what happened and I’m not judging. You’re ready when you’re ready.. I had the same shoulder operation twice. One time took ages to get movement back, the other time it came back much quicker.

No you didn't sound harsh, just sharing your experience. I consider myself a tough cookie too and never really had sick time until this happened. Also with a baby to care for 24/7, it's not been easy.

OP posts:
DPotter · 11/04/2023 16:58

I was back within about 2 weeks - I'm on my feet all day, usually lifting heavy-ish stuff too which I avoid for a while..
Can't recall having much pain after 10 days or so. The only bowel changes I've had are slightly looser and paler stools. I'd get yourself checked over

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