How long does it take to recuperate from gallbladder surgery

Prior to Surgery

• Talk to your doctor about any medications/vitamins/herbs you are taking as you may need to stop certain ones before surgery.
• Stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), Clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin (Coumadin), and other blood thinners one week prior to surgery.
• Certain diet drugs or St. John's Wort should not be used for the two weeks prior to surgery.
• Discuss any possible bleeding disorders or other medical conditions that you may have
• The day before surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• The surgeon may ask you empty your colon and cleanse your intestines prior to surgery by drinking only clear liquids for one or several days prior to surgery. These include: water, clear chicken or beef broths, apple, grape or cranberry juice, Tang, Hawaiian Punch, lemonade, Kool Aid, Gatorade, tea (sweet or unsweet), black or sweetened coffee, clear jello, popsicles without fruit or cream and Italian ices.
• You will have blood samples taken in case you need a blood transfusion.
• Do not smoke. This will help you to recover quicker.

On the Day of the Surgery

• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.

After Surgery

• You will stay in the hospital up to one day, depending on your surgeon's instructions.
• You may experience some nausea and vomiting after surgery since the procedure was done in your abdominal region. You will be encouraged to sip liquids to reduce these sensations.
• Walking is encouraged, based on your energy level.
• You will be able to remove dressings and shower one or two days after surgery.

Recovery: What to Expect in the Next Few Weeks

• Most patients will feel better within seven days following surgery and can resume some normal activities, such as driving, walking and some duties at work; however, do not lift, push or pull any heavy objects until you are cleared by your surgeon.
• Full recovery takes four to six weeks to allow for internal healing.

Alternative Names

Gallbladder removal; gallstone surgery; laparoscopy gallbladder surgery.

Gallbladder Surgery Q&A

What does the procedure involve?

Four incisions are made while the patient is under general anesthesia. A tiny camera is inserted to visualize and magnify the organs. An x-ray may be performed to show the surgeon where the stones are located to ensure that all are removed. Stones may be removed from the bile duct prior to removal of the gallbladder.

How many incisions are made?

Four tiny incisions are made in the abdomen.

How long do I stay in the hospital?

In most cases, patients stay no more than a day. In some cases, patients may be discharged the same day.

What is the recovery time?

Most patients are recovered within a week, but a full recovery takes four to six weeks. Patients can work (light duty only) and drive after a week, but are asked to not lift, push or pull heavy objects.

What reasons would the surgeon have to perform an open surgery instead of a minimally invasive procedure?

The surgeon may recommend an open procedure due to a patient’s weight or history of prior abdominal surgery that has left scar tissue, making visualization of organs with the camera more difficult.

WakeMed has many board-certified general surgeons who perform laparoscopic gallbladder removal. Find a WakeMed surgeon.

If you’re having your gallbladder removed, you may be focused on the procedure itself and on preparing for it. But knowing how to take care of yourself after your operation is just as important.

Here at Desert West Surgery in Las Vegas, we’ll do everything we can to minimize your discomfort before, during, and after your gallbladder surgery. In this blog, we want to share three helpful tips you can use to stay comfortable after surgery.  

Allow time for healing

While everyone’s recovery is different, it can take your body 1-3 weeks to recover from gallbladder surgery. During your recovery, you may experience:

• Belly pain
• Sore throat from the breathing tube
• Bruising at the incision site
• Nausea and vomiting

You may also experience pain in your upper back and shoulders from the gas we used to inflate your belly to improve visibility during your surgery. This pain may linger for up to a week.

It’s also not uncommon to experience loose stools after eating when you’ve had your gallbladder removed. This side effect can last 4-8 weeks and sometimes longer.

Keep moving

You’ll need to take it easy after we remove your gallbladder, but that doesn’t mean you should sit and watch TV for the next three weeks. Generally, you should only need complete rest for the first 24 hours. After that, you should attempt to get up and walk as often as possible. Being active may even help you recover faster. Your body is good at telling you when you’ve reached your limit, so listen and rest when it tells you.

You may need to limit how much you lift for a period of time. In general, we advise patients to not lift more than 10-15 pounds for up to six weeks to allow your incision sites to fully heal and prevent unnecessary injuries.

Modify your diet

We generally advise patients to resume their normal diets once they’re home, but you may need to make some modifications depending on what you consider your normal diet.

Your gallbladder served as a storage unit for something called bile, which is a substance made in your liver that helps digest fat. With your gallbladder removed, you may need to watch your fat intake until your digestive system adjusts.

Eating fried or fatty foods may lead to abdominal cramping and diarrhea. Instead, fill your diet with low-fat, healthy foods that are high in fiber. We recommend:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Healthy proteins, such as poultry, seafood, or lean red meats
• Beans, peas, or lentils

Over time, your liver will compensate for your missing gallbladder and deliver the bile directly into your small intestines to help you digest the fat.

You may want to keep your meals small so you won’t overload your digestive tract. You should also drink plenty of water to keep things moving and to stay hydrated.

Gallbladder surgery is common, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t serious. We want your recovery to go as smoothly as your surgery.

To learn more about what’s involved with gallbladder surgery, call Desert West Surgery today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Do I Need to Have Surgery If I Have Melanoma?

Melanomas are the deadliest type of skin cancer, so they need aggressive treatment to stop them in their tracks. But does every melanoma lesion need surgery? Here’s what you should know.

Understanding the Two Types of Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, but not all surgeries are the same. There are two basic approaches to gallbladder removal. Here’s how they compare.

5 Types of Hernias That Can Affect Your Quality of Life

Hernias affect millions of Americans, causing painful symptoms and interfering with many activities. Some hernias are hard to identify at first, but knowing about these five common hernias can help you seek care right away.

When Should I Consider a Colectomy?

Many problems involving the large intestine can be treated conservatively. But sometimes, surgery is the better choice. Here’s when our team recommends colectomy to remove all or part of the colon.

Recovering from Gallbladder Removal: What to Expect

Gallbladder surgery is very common, but it can still be nerve-racking, especially if you don’t know what happens afterward. This post gives a quick overview of what to expect during your recovery period.

How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic gallbladder surgery?

What is the fastest way to recover from gallbladder surgery?

Is gallbladder surgery a hard recovery?

Is a gallbladder surgery a major surgery?