Appendix, Appendicitis, Gallbladder Disease Forum - Recovery Time Post Gallbladder Removal?


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Recovery Time Post Gallbladder Removal? Posted: 10-16-05 12:24pm


The majority of stories that I have heard have people going back to work the next day!! Can this be true? One lady said after her day surgery she went back to the office that afternoon for an hour. I can't say I believe this. I, for one, am a wimp. I am scheduled in a few weeks and the office I work in says you will need three days to recover. This is not what I am reading on all the web sites. Any past experience in recovery of gall bladder removal?

Mumsboys

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Posted: 10-16-05 15:48pm


I can only advise what I am going through. I have heard of people going back to work after about a week with no problems. I had mine removed just over a week ago. I am still uncomfy under my ribs & am having some problems with one of my incisions 'pulling' when I try to do too much, but I know there are a couple of stitches in there, which may be the problem. Still cant sleep on my side which is annoying me!! Other than that, I am not too bad. Still finding I am getting tired easy, but I am sure anaesthetic stays in your system longer than the drs make out lol.

Guest

Posted: 10-16-05 18:34pm


I will say two weeks is a good time frame, I had my galbladder out 4 weeks ago, and after about 5-6 days I was feeling well enough to go outside and drive (very little though) and by the following week I was feeling almost normal, if you have a moderately sedentary job than you'll be okay, but if your job requires you to strain yourself physically then you may need to take more time to let your body heal.

Guest

Re: Recovery Time Post Gallbladder Removal?
Posted: 10-18-05 18:45pm

ccorn wrote:

the majority of stories that I have heard have people going back to work the next day!! Can this be true? One lady said after her day surgery she went back to the office that afternoon for an hour. I can't say I believe this. I, for one, am a wimp. I am scheduled in a few weeks and the office I work in says you will need three days to recover. This is not what I am reading on all the web sites.

Any past experience in recovery of gall bladder removal?

i just had mine out in august. It took me a full week. I got worse after all the first two days. I am ok now but have no idea what I can eat or can't. I still feel the same after surgery.

oceanblues

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Joined: 18 Oct 2005
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Post Gallbladder Posted: 10-18-05 18:54pm


Can anyone tell me why I still feel like I have my gallbladder? Same symtoms, etc...... It was removed 08/05 what is the best diet? Thanks in advance!

Guest

Thank God.... Posted: 10-24-05 16:30pm


I am so happy to have found this website I actually cried. I had my gallbladder out last wednesday. Like others who have posted, I did my research and found that a lot folks (including my own Dr.) said I could return to work that friday. Friday came and went, the weekend came and went. Here we are now, monday, and i'm still in pain. It's not excruciating, but it is in my right shoulder, at two of the incision sites and in my back. I haven't tried to drive yet, as the pulling is pretty intense sometimes on my navel incision. I am also very tired still. I try to walk around the house, and I try to go up and down the steps inside, but it wipes me out. I'm nauseaus and can't eat much either. I honestly thought I was losing my mind. How could I be so sick when folks said I should have already been back at work????!!! It was such a relief to see that others took off a week or two, and that it took that long to feel better. I am going to try to stop worrying now and concentrate on getting better instead of concentrating on why I feel so bad! Why in the world don't the drs. Let patients in on the fact that it could be a longer recovery?? I was given no post op instructions beyond the "no lifting or driving for a week; call us if your temp goes above 100.4". I was told, in my post surgical stupor, to remove my own dressings in 48 hours. When I did, I almost passed out from the pulling pain of the surgical strips. Turns out I wasn't supposed to take those off. How, then, was I supposed to get the dressing of plastic off? Would have been nice to have had a nurse clue me in. No diet directions; no follow up instructions; no guidelines. Maybe I don't ask the right questions and should take more responsibility for my health, but I didn't know the right questions to ask. Sorry for the vent, iam just extraordinarily relieved for the first time in five days!!!! I'm not dying....I'm recovering!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Mich

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Joined: 24 Oct 2005
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Posted: 10-24-05 23:26pm


I had my gallbladder out last tuesday, I too went through the same thing. I swore that the dr screwed up, that something was severely wrong cause I wasn't healing and I was still in pain. I was sooo relieved to see this forum, that real people don't heal in 2 days from this. I have another question. I have one of the incisions that still bleeds a bit. Especially after shower or at night if I roll over on my side. Has anyone else had this happen? I haven't taken the steri-strips off yet, but they don't look good. The blood on them doesn't seem to wash off in the shower. The other 3 incisions the steri-strips have been cleaned up. It doesn't hurt too much but the bleeding is concerning me a bit.

Guest

Posted: 10-25-05 05:10am


Mich, maybe book in to see a nurse & have that incision looked at. She will be able to take the dressings off, clean it up & re-dress it for you. I had my gb removed a little under 3 weeks ago. I am still a little sore in the region of my incision (in the middle under my ribcage) and under my right ribcage. It still feels a little 'pully'. I have a dissolvable stitch in there, which is still causing me a bit of discomfort. I must say though, that I was very worried & went to the drs last thursday (2 wks post surgery) because everyone kept saying 'you'll be back to normal after a week' & I was very uncomfortable & getting very sore by the end of the day. She basically told me, that some people just take longer to heal on the inside & checked that there was no infection lurking anywhere. So dont be disheartened or worry, if it is taking you longer to heal. Take more time off work, do some regular stretching and walking & you will get there eventually :o)

Guest

Gallbladder Removal Posted: 11-04-05 20:30pm


It sure feels good to see that others did not heal in 2 days, and then go back to work. I thought I was a wimp, but i've had 5 children, and I knew that I wasn't a wimp. I just took a little longer to heal. I feel great, though. I thank god that I can handle pretty much so any food that I eat. I do not feel as bad as I did before the surgery (i had it approximately 2 weeks ago). I still feel tired, though, but I think that when you teach and have 5 children, you get worn out so much faster. I also found out the hard way that I am still not strong enough to climb up and down on counters. I hurt my back, because after the surgery, the core of your body is not as strong. Take my word for it, just stay on level land for a while. I feel great, though, and I hope that everyone else recovers quickly and is back to normal soon.

loobyloulou

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Joined: 03 Nov 2005
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Posted: 11-05-05 08:21am


I'm on day 9 and still can't move too well also I still have 2 of the wound sites steri stripped they came off yesterday but 2 of them were gaping wounds the surgeon didn't put me back together to well :shock: I still have difficulty getting up and down and cant bend good job my 3 kids can pretty much get themselves sorted out in the mornings,i cant sneeze because it pretty much makes me cry and it's a nightmare coughing although a cushion does help a little,i've had many ops before and I feel like a wimp because I still cant get up and go,nut at least I can now eat without being in agony so I suppose that is one thing to be grateful for,i'm so glad i'm not the only one who thinks the doctors view of returning to normal with in days is basically rubbish,it's a major op no matter which way you have it,the only difference I have found is I have a smaller scar (i have a friend who had the same op done a few months back and she seemed to recover better than me and hers was open not lap!)

Guest

Posted: 11-15-05 23:41pm


I had my gallbladder out 8 days ago. 2 days ago I was bent over cleaning and had a horrible pain where my gallbladder used to be. Has anyone else done this? It still hurts and I wonder if I tore something inside. I go to see the surgeon tomorrow for a follow up so we will see. The first 2 days after the surgery I felt great and was up doing light house work. I think I overdid it, the next 2 days I had a fever and felt really bad! I am better now other than the pain from bending over on sunday.

Guest

Posted: 11-16-05 11:45am


You probably just pulled on the clips they use to close off where your gb used to be, or just pulled on something. 8 days isnt that long ago & you will take longer to heal internally. Mention it to the surgeon at the follow up, to make sure you havent done any damage, but I am sure you'll be fine

Guest

Posted: 11-16-05 13:24pm


I am 5 days post op and I have to say it has been a lot easier than I thought it would be, I was in a bit of discomfort when I came home from the hospital, and needed help getting out of bed the first few days but now I am feeling better day by day, I did have bit of drainage from my belly button inscision and really only have discomfort from the inscision straight up from my belly button.. Not nearly as bad as I thought.. I am very gassy and hope that goes away soon, but I have not been nearly as nauseated as I was before the surgery, and no pain in my back or shoulder blades.. So far so good, I go back to the dr tommrrow for my first follow up and hope she says things are normal.. If things keep going this well, the surgery was so worth it... Also I have not taken any pain pills since day 2 cause they make me sick to my stomach and I am moving around and not in really any pain just uncomfortable...Good luck to everyone dealing with this...

Guest

Hi Posted: 11-17-05 10:11am


I had my gb out in 1990, I was one if the first in my city to get it out the belly button. I had a wonderful surgeon. You need to do your research on the Dr. I know people who have had a terrible time and those who have not. It depends on the bowel clean out the days before and how much gas is used in the poceedure. I was on my feet that day and moved cross country the next week with 3 kids and a husband. It did not clear me on all the pain though. The next year I had a stint put in my bile duct to keep it from collapsing. I think the recovery depends on the person and how your body recovers. Good luck!

loobyloulou

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Joined: 03 Nov 2005
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Posted: 11-17-05 16:37pm


Well i'm on the 3rd week I could've done with a follow up but my surgeon didn't want one ,i'm still very sore when I cough or sneeze and turn I guess I just need patience,but one good thing I am starting to eat properly again,i was terrified of having anything but I ate the one thing that hospitalized me (cheeses on toast) and it was good no pain nothing so I feel good in a way.

chrystah

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Wow I Guess We Are Not Alone... Posted: 08-28-06 00:02am


Hi there, well I had surgery over a month ago now, and well i'm still not back to work, my husband is freaking out.. Got to pay the bills you know.. And well I was under the assumptions as well that you can go back to work in a few days.. Well my issue is, since the surgery, every time I eat, I end up in the bathroom either vomiting or have diarrhea... Oh my god.. It is driving me nuts, how are you supposed to go to work, when ever 2 hours you are in the bathroom for an hour. I tried going back part time, and well it was still uncomfortable. I have had some incision pain, put not alot. My main issues, are excessive gas, bloating, and diarrhea and vomiting. I have went to the doctors and they say, "well it's normal until your body gets used to not having a gallbladder to disperse the bile.." wish I would have known this.. I wish I would have been more prepared with the post surgery issues... I am glad to hear others are having problems as well. I would like to know if anyone out there has figured out a diet or some kind of resolution to this problem.. My boss is very impatient with the recovery and stress probably isn't helping. I would like to know what to eat, not eat, or even when not to eat.. Help... Anyone.. And like others have said, it would be nice for someone to have told us from the start.. My doctor told me the day after surgery, "back to your regular diet...." well that didn't work and neither did, just liquids, so semi soft foods, doesn't matter what I eat, it comes back up or out.. The greasier the faster .. Of course.. Thanks for hearing my story...

lisa c

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Posted: 09-08-06 17:51pm


Hi, I really hope people are still visiting this site as replies seem old, anyway here goes, I had my gallbladder removed on 6th december 05 and although in post op pain was glad to see the back of it, however the pain I felt at after op, i.E cant lie on my side and stitch like pain [after running kind] has just got worse and worse over the last few months, im a carer with the elderly so I am lifting or carrying shopping every day and it makes it worse, ive been on holiday recently for 2 weeks and I had the pain once, now back at work its killing me, anyone else suffering??

mymeka

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Gallbladder Recovery Time Posted: 09-12-06 09:06am


I had my gallbladder out laproscopically and would have been o.K. To go back to work within a week, but had a complication - a stone stuck in my bile duct. Due to this, I was rushed to emergency, had to have an ercp (removal of stone) and was in the hospital for 3 more days. I can relate to the person who posted above, as I now have the classic "dumping syndrome", even 3 months post-surgery, where I get tummy rumblings and diarrhea after eating (and I eat very low fat, due to my also having reflux). Surgeon prescribed "questran" for me, which is a powder you put in water or juice. It works the day I take it, so I take it only when necessary, per my surgeon. Wondering if anyone else has/had the dumping syndrome and how long it took them to shake it. Lori

kperkat

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Posted: 09-12-06 13:31pm


I had my gallbladder removed yesterday at 7:30 am pacific. It was done laproscopically (not sure of spelling - - apparently anesthesia makes you forget how to spell - ha ha) all I remember is being really scared, the anesthesia person being late and couldn't find a "20cc" (?) and not being able to breathe. From what I can piece together I had an asthma attack as I was going under cause I woke up with lots of oxygen, a medication machine treatment and was given an inhaler and sent home with the groggy memory of instructions as all groggily mentioned above. But even without the asthma episode, which was odd since I only have extremely mild adult onset asthma and use an inhaler once every 4 months, I do not believe I will be going back to work tomorrow. Again ha ha. Everything from my elbows up to the top of my neck by the base of my skull is in pain on the inside. When I lay, I can only lay on my back with no pillows. I've slept on a mattress on the floor for years. My body (and back) got accustomed to it while traveling for extended visits to the orient so much, so you'd think I wouldn't have a problem. But now i'm thinking I should have purchased a western style bed. Takes me a good 15 minutes to get up and my arm and thigh muscles are killing me from using them instead of my stomach muscles. But on the positive side, if I could only use my calfs, legs, head, not breathe in too much and not eat (can't figure out why my throat is so sore), i'd be fine. I will admit, a lot of the pain is probably unecessary, cause I don't take prescription painkillers. But I said all that intensely personal stuff to say that my symptoms before the removal were far worse. There was a constant nausea, pain, vomitting and diareaha within minutes after I ate. After a colonoscopy and endoscopy, which both showed only minor things that should not have caused the symptoms, the gallbladder and subsequent stones were thought to be contributory if not the cause. I can tell thru the muscular aches that the other pain and the nausea are gone. Can only assume the diareaha is gone since i've eaten some eggs and toast this morning without the running screaming to the bathroom. Of course, maybe my colon hasn't woke up yet too. I too fell for the...Oh it'll only take you a couple of days story from someone (not being stereotypical here but...) a man who had a wife and kids to wait on him hand and foot and who's job is sitting all day in an upscale lobby cause this is his "thing he does since he's retired." its just possible that the 2-3 dayers have a lifestyle that allows them not only physical rest and comfort but mental comfort also. Or I could be wrong. Maybe i'm just whiney cause I hurt and he didn't. (smiles) good luck everyone and with that I will spend the next 15 minutes trying to lay down again and get some rest.

dotti

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Recovery Time For Gallbladder Surgery Posted: 09-18-06 15:03pm


I have been reading over some of the replys. I had my surgery last thursday, 9-14. The surgery went well, had to stay in the hospital until 6:00pm and had the surgery at 9:45. The pain was a little more than I anticipated. I slept, the next day and by saturday I was up and about. I'm not sure what to eat. I still have pain in my shoulder(s) and back at times and my stomach. Tylenol helps a little. Does anyone else get the pain in the back? It's more of an ache. I tire easily and on occasion I have diarehea. I'm thinking of going back to work next week. I am a secretary at our local middle school. I also get a left side stitch on occasion. Anyone else?