“How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery?”
I will have gallbladder removal surgery. How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery?
4 Answers
About 3-6 months.
Post-Operative Instructions – Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
You will find yourself feeling weak and tired for 1-2 weeks after going home (and maybe longer). This will eventually resolve. Listen to your body and rest when you feel you need to. Do not “push through the pain”. You might experience soreness like a sprain in the right shoulder or back. This is due to the gas that is put into your abdomen during the surgery- it will go away in 2-3 days. Apply heat to your shoulder and back and take your pain medication as prescribed. Try not to lie flat. Elevate your head on several pillows and place a pillow under your knees to promote comfort and decrease the risk of developing shoulder soreness. Your belly will feel bloated for about one week; you may not be able to close your pants. This will pass as the gas in the abdomen is absorbed. In the meantime, you might be more comfortable in loose-fitting clothing. You will probably develop bruising around one or more of your incisions
ACTIVITIES
You will feel easily fatigued for at least one week after discharge; this is normal. Rest as much as you need to. You may take short trips in a car as desired. You should not drive until you have stopped taking your narcotic pain medications. You are encouraged to take short walks two to three times daily. You can also go up and down stairs as desired. Do NOT strain your abdominal muscles for at least two weeks. For most people, this generally means no lifting over 20 lbs. Refrain from sports and exercise during the first two weeks at home. After two weeks, you may return to all normal activities, as you desire (avoid very heavy, sudden lifting that causes increased discomfort). However, it may take a total of 4 weeks after your surgery before you reach your normal fitness level. Depending on the physical activity requirements of your job you will probably be out of work for a minimum of one week but this should be discussed with your surgeon. A work note can be provided for you if needed.
DIET
You may wish to avoid heavy food following your surgery and perhaps just take liquids that day. The day after your surgery you may eat anything you wish. You may want to avoid carbonated beverages for several days. The gallbladder is part of your digestive system, and so you should expect changes to your normal gut function. Most changes resolve within three months of surgery. There are no diet restrictions after gallbladder removal. However, eating a large meal or a high-fat meal may lead to bloating, indigestion, gas, or diarrhea. Eating small, frequent meals at the same time each day can help control these symptoms. A food journal may help to identify problem foods.
INCISIONS
Your incisions are closed with absorbable sutures which will not need to be removed. You will have Steristrips over these incisions. Leave the Steristrips alone for two weeks or until they fall off. An additional bandage will be placed over the wound. This can be removed or replaced after two days, depending on your preference. On the second day after surgery, you may shower. Do not soak your wounds in water (i.e. bathtub, hot tub, swimming pool) for two weeks.
MEDICATIONS
Use the narcotic pain medication as prescribed. You should switch to Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) as soon as possible to reduce side effects from the narcotic. Take stool softeners until you have a bowel movement. If you have not had a bowel movement by the third day after surgery, you may take a gentle laxative such as Milk of Magnesia or Dulcolax as directed.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
You will find yourself feeling weak and tired for 1-2 weeks after going home (and maybe longer). This will eventually resolve. Listen to your body and rest when you feel you need to. Do not “push through the pain”. You might experience soreness like a sprain in the right shoulder or back. This is due to the gas that is put into your abdomen during the surgery- it will go away in 2-3 days. Apply heat to your shoulder and back and take your pain medication as prescribed. Try not to lie flat. Elevate your head on several pillows and place a pillow under your knees to promote comfort and decrease the risk of developing shoulder soreness. Your belly will feel bloated for about one week; you may not be able to close your pants. This will pass as the gas in the abdomen is absorbed. In the meantime, you might be more comfortable in loose-fitting clothing. You will probably develop bruising around one or more of your incisions
ACTIVITIES
You will feel easily fatigued for at least one week after discharge; this is normal. Rest as much as you need to. You may take short trips in a car as desired. You should not drive until you have stopped taking your narcotic pain medications. You are encouraged to take short walks two to three times daily. You can also go up and down stairs as desired. Do NOT strain your abdominal muscles for at least two weeks. For most people, this generally means no lifting over 20 lbs. Refrain from sports and exercise during the first two weeks at home. After two weeks, you may return to all normal activities, as you desire (avoid very heavy, sudden lifting that causes increased discomfort). However, it may take a total of 4 weeks after your surgery before you reach your normal fitness level. Depending on the physical activity requirements of your job you will probably be out of work for a minimum of one week but this should be discussed with your surgeon. A work note can be provided for you if needed.
DIET
You may wish to avoid heavy food following your surgery and perhaps just take liquids that day. The day after your surgery you may eat anything you wish. You may want to avoid carbonated beverages for several days. The gallbladder is part of your digestive system, and so you should expect changes to your normal gut function. Most changes resolve within three months of surgery. There are no diet restrictions after gallbladder removal. However, eating a large meal or a high-fat meal may lead to bloating, indigestion, gas, or diarrhea. Eating small, frequent meals at the same time each day can help control these symptoms. A food journal may help to identify problem foods.
INCISIONS
Your incisions are closed with absorbable sutures which will not need to be removed. You will have Steristrips over these incisions. Leave the Steristrips alone for two weeks or until they fall off. An additional bandage will be placed over the wound. This can be removed or replaced after two days, depending on your preference. On the second day after surgery, you may shower. Do not soak your wounds in water (i.e. bathtub, hot tub, swimming pool) for two weeks.
MEDICATIONS
Use the narcotic pain medication as prescribed. You should switch to Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) as soon as possible to reduce side effects from the narcotic. Take stool softeners until you have a bowel movement. If you have not had a bowel movement by the third day after surgery, you may take a gentle laxative such as Milk of Magnesia or Dulcolax as directed.
I typically quote my patients 80% recovery at 2 weeks, and full recovery by 4-6 weeks. Recovery entails resolution of pain, normalization of appetite, increase in energy, and return to full activity. Most of my patients who work desk jobs can return to work within 1 week. Those who do manual labor or heavy activities can usually return within 2 weeks.
This is a question for a general surgeon, but I have seen most patients leave the hospital 1-2 days after this type of surgery
