Gallbladder surgery? How soon can i get back to working out?

jessica182517
jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am going to be having surgery in 2 weeks to get my gallbladder removed due to serveral stones and lots of pain! I have heard some people say that i should be back to normal within 2 weeks and some say not to lift anything over 5lbs for like 6 months!!! I had a c-section after 23hrs of labor now that is a HARD recovery! couldnt even lay down had to sleep on th couch, couldnt really get up from sitting on my own it took about at least 4 weeks till i felt like i could walk around without being in pain and could actually sleep in my bed with only a little trouble getting up cuz it hurt my incision area. But by 6 weeks i was back at work and doing fine so i dont see how this surgery can be worse since i wont be having contractions for 23hrs before hand to make my stomach muscles sore LOL BUT i was just wondering if any of you have had this surgery and how long was your recovery? How long did it take you to get back to your full workout routine? How long should i wait to lift weights or do any heavy lifting?

Replies

  • crobl
    crobl Posts: 380
    Although I haven't had a gall bladder surgery - I have had 2 athletes I work with that recently underwent the procedure. They were 20 and 19 year old collegiate softball players. Both were back to full activity right around a month. They were allowed to start running within a week or two. The reason they had to wait a bit longer for full activity was because of the torque that is put on the abdomen during hitting/throwing - the doctor didn't want to run the risk of ripping incisions open. Thus we waited a bit.

    My mother also had her gall bladder removed when she was 48 - she wasn't allowed to lift anything heavier than a jug of milk for 2 weeks and then had to wait another 2 weeks to lift anything heavy overhead. Again, to allow the incisions to heal.

    I would wonder if the person who said they had to wait 6 months had some sort of complications? Because in my personal and medical experience....that's far from the norm!
  • jessica182517
    jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
    I would wonder if the person who said they had to wait 6 months had some sort of complications? Because in my personal and medical experience....that's far from the norm!

    The person who said that was in one of the forum posts here so im not sure exactly how things went for her. But it seems like most people are saying 2-4 weeks
  • 4everchanged101
    4everchanged101 Posts: 50 Member
    If your having the laser surgery you'll be fine pretty quickly. If they have to open you up it can take a few months.
  • ladynica
    ladynica Posts: 329 Member
    Took me about 6 weeks to get back to normal. Took longer for me because I'm a single mom of a toddler and there was no one else to care for him during my recovery. Slowed it down quite a bit. Everyone else who I knew who had the surgery took a little under a month.
  • tolae2006
    tolae2006 Posts: 54 Member
    Follow your doctors directions that important
  • Luvmichnata
    Luvmichnata Posts: 186 Member
    I agree with going by your doctors advise. I had mine out about 2 years ago and I recall being told to wait 6 weeks before exercising.
    Mine was laparoscopic. You'll likely not want to be pulling those muscles for a good 6 weeks.
  • rosebud12078
    rosebud12078 Posts: 14 Member
    I just had my gallbladder out in Sept. of last year. You can't do any lifting for about 4 weeks. So I walked as long as I felt good. After a few day you can walk all over and you will still be getting some sort of exercise but you can't lift! Wish you lots of luck and trust me you will feel so much better when it is gone!
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    Follow your doctors directions

    This. no advice you get here will be as good and as relevant to you as your doctor's advice regarding this.
  • jessica182517
    jessica182517 Posts: 390 Member
    I will be following my Dr's instructions, but i havent talked to the surgon yet i will make sure to ask all the good questions when i do :) i was just courious as to what everyone elses recovery was like and how soon they got back to thier normal routines. Thank you all for your advice :)

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