Gallbladder removal - Recovery 

Recovering from a gallbladder removal  

Recovery after keyhole surgery to remove your gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is usually quick.

Most people are able to eat and drink and leave hospital on the same day as the surgery. In some cases, you may be advised to stay overnight and go home the next day.

After open surgery you will have to stay three to five days in hospital and your recovery time will be longer. Typically, it takes six weeks to recover fully from the effects of open surgery.

Side effects

Side effects after a cholecystectomy are usually temporary and mild. They may include:

  • Feeling sick. You may feel sick as a result of the anaesthetic or painkillers you have been given. This should pass quickly.
  • Pain in the abdomen and shoulders. This is a result of the gas used to inflate your abdomen and should pass after a couple of days. Painkillers can be taken to relieve any pain or discomfort.
  • Diarrhoea. This can come from bile irritating your digestive system. Eating high-fibre food such as brown rice and wholemeal bread will help to firm up your stools. Your doctor may also be able to prescribe a firming agent to help.

Getting back to normal

After leaving hospital after keyhole surgery, most people are back to normal, including working and doing gentle exercise, within 7–10 days. This may take longer after open surgery.

Driving

You can start driving again when you can do an emergency stop without any discomfort. Some insurance companies do not insure drivers for a number of weeks after surgery, so it is best to check what your policy says before starting to drive.

Wounds

If you had open surgery your stitches may need to be removed afterwards. You will be given an appointment for this before you leave hospital.


Last reviewed: 09/02/2012

Next review due: 09/02/2014

Comments

16 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

kimmie25 said on 06 May 2012

after 5yrs of excrucial pain and not knowin what was wrong with me i eventually got answers gallstones although i doubted this seen as i was given all diferent reasons and medication for different things hallelujah i had my op on 1st may 12 an yes it was gallstones i now have no galbladder i got key hole surgery at 9am bk on ward by 11.45 no an feeling great on day 6 of recovestill no pain a bit of discomfert but nowt to moan about didnt need any pain meds on discharge was so worryin bout this opo as it my 1st but thot i gotta be better than sleepin in bath for 15hrs at a time toppn it up with hot water im so glad i did this op my life is gettin bk on track finally s i have 2 young girls to look after my surgeon was amazin nurses great to, i think you need to look around for a very good surgeon if anything id reccomend this op to anyone who suffern the 5yr of hell i did id rather be in labour than suffer that pain also bowels moved not a prob afterwards good luck

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DILKOOSH said on 22 April 2012

Had laproscopic cholecystectomy at Derriford hospital on 16 April 2012. Entered hospital at 8.00am and discharged 4.00pm. Treated wonderfully by all from start to finish. The puncture hole between my ribs is still quite sore to the touch. The others are fine. Slight stomach ache probably due to bile. No difficulty lying down or sitting up. Side effects itchy face, and mouth dry as dust for a couple of days. Looking forward to summer and no more pain from gallstones.

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lesjay18 said on 16 April 2012

I had key hole surgery to remove my gall bladder on Sat 14th of April at roughly 10am, woke up around half one, felt fine, had a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits, dozed a bit more and was dishcharged at 6pm.
A lttle awkward sleeping on my back as i usually sleep on my side, but that will get better. I have had no horrible after effects, i'm a little sore, but that is to be expected. Considering i was petrified about this operation i can only say that it was no where near as bad as i was expecting, the thought that i will get no more horrible unbearable pains in my stomach more than makes up for the little discomfort i now have. I would like to thank all the staff at Ashtead Hospital in surrey, they were brilliant from start to finish, the surgeon explained everything in detail and put my mind at rest, and their after care was second to none.

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Sherlockholmes said on 15 April 2012

Had Gall Bladder removed 11 April 2012. Surgery first thing, 9.30am. Came round about 3pm - very drowsy and nauseous. This from the GA. Had more anti - nausea drugs and this helped. Could have stayed in hospital overnight but wanted to get home. Once I could get out of the bed myself, go for a wee and eat, they let me out. Home by 9pm. Given pain relief and was advised to take regularly for the first few days - paracetamol, Dichlorohydeine and Diclofenec and then as and when. It is day 4 after the surgery, no real need for loads of pain relief, sitting up, coughing, laughing painful for the first 2 days, by day 3 felt much better. Pain in right shoulder as advised by the Consultant - gone now, due to gas reabsorption. Breathing a bit of a struggle - for the first 2 days, I am mildly asthmatic, so took inhalers - all fine now. Generally wake up refreshed and able, but by lunchtime, early afternoon need a nap to keep me going - GA still wearing off. No lifting for 2 weeks - this is imperative for quick recovery. Down side - major diarrhoea though!! Looked up stuff on line says this is a real side effect due to more bile in the small intestine. Hopefully, should go away after a few days, but can last. A bit worried that it amy well last with me. Anyway, it is a side effect of this surgery and one to be aware of. High fibre diet and low fat, little and often it seems too. Difficult when you feel nauseous and bloated. Urgency horrible too.

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herladyship said on 10 January 2012

Had this procedure on 6th January 2012 (private hospital). The first few hours afterwards were very uncomfortable as it hurt to breathe deeply and I couldn't find a comfortable position to sit or lie in. Some nausea and dizziness but I think this was due to lack of nourishment - apple juice helped enormously. Stayed overnight, small amount of eggs and toast for breakfast. No problems with eating (light diet), drinking or going to the loo, although it took a few days for my bowels to get going! Bruised and tender around the holes in my belly and hard to get into and out of bed/chairs for the first few days. Pleasantly surprised by how rapidly the body recovers.

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a bingo said on 09 January 2012

On 2nd Jan 2012 rushed in with abdo pain on 3rd had gall bladder removed was sent home that night.
Back to work (office based on 5th) Pain across tummy still bad other than that all ok. today being the 9th still sore and stiff so not driving but otherwise am thinking best thing done,
Still a little concerned about diet and sicky feeling!

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H2 said on 31 October 2011

it's only 6 days since I had my laparoscopic cholecystectomy and I only had mild discomfort until yesterday. I seem to have developed what I think is neuralgia across my abdomen...it hurts at the slightest touch. there's no redness or heat and most of the swelling has gone so I'm sure there's no infection. there is slight bruising around my wounds. I've been taking paracetamol and ibruprofen but they aren't having much effect on the neuralgia. has anyone else experienced this? if so, how long did it last and how did you manage it?

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WorryTooMuch said on 18 September 2011

Had my gallbladder out on Fri 16th Sept at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. They were so good, and i felt fully informed about everything. It was my 1st ever operation so i was a total wreck going into the theatre but the anaesthetist put me to sleep no probs (i actually woke up thinking i was at home!) stayed overnight as I was in agony when I tried to move any part of my torso, but came home yest afternoon. I was really nervous about taking a shower last night in fear of what lay beneath the 4 plasters on my tummy, but when I finally plucked up the courage to take them off it wasn't that bad - only 4 little cuts with bright blue stiches in them. Quite funky really, even if my far right one was slightly inverted (bleugh, i have a hole where my g/b once was!) Only problem lurking now is the small issue of bowel movements. I suffer chronically from anal fissures (reoccuring and v painful tears) so it's usually a feat in itself going to the loo on a normal day, let alone after a boat load of anaesthetic, paracetemol & oxygen, all aiding in drying me out! Been 3 days since went to the loo last (weeing is no problem) so slightly concerned about 1) the pain it will endevour, 2) the fear of writhing so much i cause injury to myself or tear the stitches and 3) i have tried a little bit but can't seem to get the backside muscles to do the right thing! We have a paramedic in the family who says it'll start doing its thing soon enough, but has anyone else suffered from toilet-issues after this operation?

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Jentoarr said on 08 June 2011

Was admitted to Crosshouse unexpectedly on 25 May and had laparoscopic cholecystectomy at around 4pm that day. Back on the ward by 6.30 with tea and toast and visitor by 7! Left hospital at 10.30 following morning but would have been sooner if my lift could have come earlier. This operation has been a real success and I was back in the office (allbeit temporarily) on the 27th. I've had very little discomfort, only a bit of bruising around the wound sites and no problems with passing urine or moving bowels. The only side effect I've really noticed is that I am a bit like a puppy; I wake up in the morning full of beans but then suddenly run out of steam and need a wee nap. Everyone at the day surgery unit was efficient, caring and kind. Can't give them high enough praise. Planning on being back at work tomorrow which will be two weeks after the procedure. My mother had a cholecystectomy back in the day and had the full Frankenstein scar right down her tummy; she was in hospital for a couple of weeks and it took her a long time to recover. I've got 5 wee puncture marks and job done and dusted in two weeks. Grand.

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A Success Case said on 23 May 2011

I had my operation 4 days ago and am amazed how well I have recovered so far.
The surgery took place at 4pm and by 6pm I was back on the ward ready for visiting time. I felt drowsy for 3 or so hours but actually felt hungry and requested a snack by 10pm. A yoghurt and tiny bite of a chicken sandwich washed down with apple juice was enough but went down well with no nausea. Passing water needed a little effort, probably due to the settling of the internal organs post surgery, however, not painful other than bending to sit on the loo.
Mild pain killers taken for a couple of days kept the pain at bay. Worst things is the gas left me bloated and restricted bending and mobilty for a couple of days ( but not painful or that bad really). Getting on and off the bed - very tricky for 2 days. Lots of propping up with pillows required. Slightly bruised around the entry sites now, 4 days later, but all healing well.
Previous symptoms caused by a dodgy gall bladder now gone. Hopefully this feeling of well being persists. The surgeon said the anasthetic stays in the system 4-6 weeks causing exhaustion but advised being signed off work for only 2 weeks - but I think I may need an extra week because of the pressure and stress of my work load may have a negative effect on long term recovery - we'll see.

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Jo anna said on 13 May 2011

I had this surgery on the 9th May 2011. I came home on the 10th May. I went to theatre at 11am and was on the ward at 6pm the actual op took about 90 minutes. I was in recovery and on oxygen. I had oxygen until 10.30pm. I just take longer to wake up I guess! The hardest part is the discomfort in the tummy muscles, laughing, coughing etc. Getting from sitting to lying and vice versa is a bit difficult. The other thing is the bloating, after 3 days of miniscule amounts of food I feel as though I have had about 6 courses! Great way to loose weight?
Generally I feel positive about the surgery and have lost that aweful nausea I had all the time. No bile coming into my throat every morning after sleeping is the best too. I found drinking water helped to clear the system, no loose stools though. Fresh air helped too to clear the body of anethestic. Passing urine was tricky at first but I think it was lack of fluid in the body that did that ,together with the lack of sensation to wee, due to the organs being moved, not sure but I needed to concentrate to be able to go! Not an issue now! I still feel tired but have been sensible and retired to bed for 2 to 3 hours each afternoon and been able to function until about 9pm when sleep calls again. I think thats ok, passed worrying now just want to get better and feel that I have listened to my body and am doing what it tells me to. All the best to those going through the same thing, it is worth it in the end.

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k tivey said on 24 November 2010

i had my gall bladder out by key hole on thursday 18th november, waking up from the op i was in alot of pain and it was really painfull to move around i stayed in over night and was aloud to go home the next day with painkillers i had alot of pain in my shoulders and ribs this went after a few days. i am on day 6 of recovary now and feel much better i am looking forward to getting back to work and having a normal diet.

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sorebutgettingbetter said on 03 September 2010

I had mine out on Tuesday 01/09/10 and yes it is extremely sore to try and sit up. My problem was trying to stay awake. I went down at 10am and back up at 2pm but even at 8 I was still zanked out.
I was on Oxygen longer than I thought (the next morning) and even now Friday, my breathing still doesn't feel right.

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sorebutgettingbetter said on 03 September 2010

I had mine out on Tuesday 01/09/10 and yes it is extremely sore to try and sit up. My problem was trying to stay awake. I went down at 10am and back up at 2pm but even at 8 I was still zanked out.
I was on Oxygen longer than I thought (the next morning) and even now Friday, my breathing still doesn't feel right.

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Gillyb62 said on 08 August 2010

I am having my gallbladder removed by keyhole surgery on Friday 13th August. This is only 2 weeks 5 days before I am due to fly to Cyprus on holiday. I am also holidaying alone.

Am I going to be fit to fly I wonder?!

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wozwozzick69 said on 06 August 2010

I had my laparoscopic cholecystectomy done on Tuesday 3rd August 2010. The op ran from 10am to 11:40am and I awoke at 12pm with quite a bit of discomfort.

The hardest thing is sitting up when Im in a laying position..thats impossible..I need help! lol Im able to do most things with discomfort, but coughing, laughing, sitting up (and wiping yourself after peeing) is REALLY difficult.

Its now Friday 6th August...I can sit up by myself today but Im still really sore and tired. You definitely need someone with you for a MINIMUM of 3 days after you come out of the hospital

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