Worried

Its been 8 weeks since my operation, It took about 3/4 weeks to recover, make sure your taking it easy and just walk around nothing strenuous. Get well soon

Hi,  I didn't take any time off before the operation - although I do remember a number of days being in absolute agony and not realising why.  I'm a teacher, so you always have the guilt attached to taking time out of the classroom.  I'm 3 weeks post op.  I took two weeks off.  The first week and a half I didn't feel great, but since then I've been feeling much better.  I completed last week without any problems, although I'm counting down to half term - which is in two weeks.  

 

This is major surgery.  If you have a lap procedure the external incisions should heal in 6-8 weeks, it can be sooner for some people.  As to internal incisions and stitches, it will take much longer.  And, you only have this chance to heal, so go easy on yourself.  Your body will also need to adjust to not having a gallbladder, even though it wasn't working.  Though most people feel better at 8-12 weeks, some folks take a lot longer to feel better.  Each person's different.  

I had already been off due to another issue but was in hospital for a week in July then 6 weeks later I finally got the gallbladder out after another week in hospital. It’s now been almost 7 weeks and I’m due to back to work in a week. I’m a nurse so a pretty demanding job and not one i could do whilst in so much pain. I’m still getting some pains though and not sure why. Definitely don’t go back to work until you’re ready! Good luck with the recovery xx

Hi Louise

I had mine removed in March and I ended up taking 3 weeks off of work due to being self employed. It all depends what type of work you do, if its very physical then I would suggest longer or get your employer to give you some other work to do if they can. I certainly wouldn't go back full time, ease in with part time for a couple of weeks. It'll take alot longer than this to get back to normal as your body has to recover and learn to live without a gallbladder. It'll be months to fully heal but you should feel better each week as long as you don't over do it. Speak to your employer and doctor but in the end it all depends on how you feel.

Take care