Gallbladder

I was out of work for a week after my surgery , and I am on my feet 12 + hours a day at work and never sit down. After I woke up in had tremendous pain but it went away after about an hour. After I went home the first three days where the hardest, I needed help getting out of bed ect.. I had the bad shoulder pain from the gas, if you have this you need to walk! I think even if you don't have it you should walk, it helped me tremendously. And I think I recovered quicker because of it. That being said don't over do it, don't eat too much, eat small low fat meals. Good luck!

Carol,

?It's pretty much major surgery.  Depending on your pain tolerance, and what they find, will be the basis of your recovery.   Yes, there is some pain, but the surgeon will prescribe pain meds for you.  I took mine for about a week and then I was fine without them.  Get plenty of rest, and walk.  As the other person said, don't overdo it.  Your body will be healing, and adjusting to the missing gallbladder.  Drink plenty of water, as this helps flush out the anesthetics.   To fully recover takes about five weeks.  Do not lift anything and you will want to wear comfortable stretchy type slacks for a few weeks.  You will find some foods you cannot eat, like high fat.  Remember, that little gallbladder was a regulator for the bile that will now be flowing directly out of your liver and through your digestive system.  So, eat several small meals a day.  Not three regular meals.  Other than that, if you have anything out of the norm, call your surgeon or primary doctor.   Do what your doctor tells you and you should be just fine in five weeks.  

Hi Carol, I'm due to have mine out soon but I haven't got a date yet. Could you not return to work on part time hours on the first week back so you can see how you feel? As an employer in the UK, we have to provide staff every opportunity to return to work especially reducde hours after major surgery, which is what you will have had don't forget. Ask them, if they are good employers and they value your work then they will work with you until you are fully better and upto strength.

Take care and let us know how you get on.

I took 2 weeks. There is more of a discomfort where the holes are from the instruments and from the gas they use.

The first couple of days, just relax and watch tv.

Good luck and no worries!

Hi

?I'm over 60 and had stones for years, had the surgery finally 10 days back due to things worsening.

?No pain after surgery really. just a super dry mouth and throat.

?At home only needed paracetamol.

?Days 3-6 were the worst with a tight band feeling under ribs and some cramps and pains where gb used to be, but still managed with paracetamol and buscopan.

?I did not have any shoulder pains, maybe a bit of backache but all this is to be expected I think after a surgery.

The incisions were neat and healed well so far, some bruising around but not untoward.

?I did go on to develop a respiratory infection from the dry throat though which as slowed down my recovery as I have been coughing night and day (not good after a surgery). Cushion on abdo helped, but it has prolonged the sore chest area and increased tiredness. Not many others seem to get this - I think I was unlucky - several of my family have coughs so it is likely something going around anyway.

?As to how long downtime, they gave me a two week note (I have been made redundant anyway) but due to the chest infection, I think I would have opted for needing more time and I think even without that I'd not feel ready in the next week, but I had a very bad year waiting for surgery and have other ailments so that makes a difference.

?I'd just say, go back to work only if you feel ready and confident, maybe ask for a phased return if you need it. But you are best avoiding heavy lifting, etc for 6 weeks or more to avoid a hernia. Good luck with everything!

Had my gallbladder out dec 30 of 2016, it's been 10 days, have pains still but have to deal with surgery pain . Seen dr about lump on one of my cuts and what to take for pain, Tylenol is good to take if you are afraid of the other pain meds, I use ice pack. Pains are scary to wear I feel like I am having a heart attack at times and want to pass out. Went to hospital nod all looks normal, sent home and told to rest and no lifting at all. So here I am again with pains. Take ice pack, Tylanol and listen to music or watch tv to get pain out of my mind..  Hang in there and try to rest and not use your stomach musels . No lifting,  I also had a hernia removed along with my gallbladder so I will take more time to heal. Keep your self comfortable and rest, use a heating pad. If you would like that will help. I c my surgeon Tuesday . Will know more when I c him and see what he thinks on. Y pains and recovery.

Had my gallbladder out dec 30th 2016, pain after surgery, well did not have any for the drug from hospital was still working. Was sent home the same day, later. In the afternoon I started to get pains, dr gave me pain meds to take, hydromorphone.its a ok drug but messes with my mind and not the pain. Can't take hydrocodone allergic to it. Did not like the side affect of this drug so I use ice pack and heat. Yea  of course we will get pains after surgery. But in time it will go away.  I had open heart surgery years ago and by the time I was sent home after 1 month in hospital, the pain was bearable to take and went back to the things I love to do.    After gallbladder surgery I have to heal first and learn what to eat that I can digest. Low fat diet, low food intake. In time it will be back to normal. Just have to rest and heal first.  Remember no lifting of any kind and rest. Good luck.