Gallbladder Surgery

I just had mine taken out at the end of August this year. My pregnancy caused gall stones so there was no healing it just had to come out. I had it done 4 months after my C-Section to ensure that was all healed up before getting cut up again. So the gall bladder surgery was a breeze compared to the c-section. I had my surgery at about 7am and was home before noon. I just had jello and soup for dinner that day but started eating "normal" food the following day. I just kept things lighter for a few days. I was a bit sore but nothing that kept me from going up and down the stairs. My family wouldn't let me lift my baby for a week so they would just place her in my arms after I sat down. She was squirmy so she hurt my stitches more than anything by kicking me but again nothing too bad. I only took my pain meds for 2 days and then was tired of feeling itchy so I quit. Honestly it wasn't that bad except now I look like I lost a knife fight between the c-section and the 4 gall bladder scars.

It was the best thing I did though. After going through 3 months of tip-toeing around eating too little fat or too much fat trying not to have another attack. I had to find the perfect balance and I would gladly deal with the incision pain over a 6hour gall bladder attack anyday!

It's all going to depend on how your surgery goes and how your recovery process goes...If the surgeon is able to perform it as a lap procedure versus open, I believe most recommendations are no strenuous activity and no lifting over 25 pounds for 3 weeks, then you should have a check up & it will be determined by your surgeon if you're "good to go."

I would definitely suggest talking to your surgeon about this as they would know best! I had mine out in May and was in rough shape for about 2 weeks - my husband had to help me out of bed in the morning and everything. I didn't really feel like myself for a while.

Hope everything goes well!!

Back to normal, for the most part, in 4 or 5 days. Exercise was about 2 weeks later, I believe.

I had mine several years ago. I remember the first couple days were rough. I was so sore and uncomfortable. I wasn't allowed to pick up anything up for 2 weeks which was hard because I had a toddler and nothing over 20 lbs for a month. I felt pretty good around week 4 (kind over did it with picking up my son and my belly button felt real sore, so I backed off that).
Definitely don't push yourself you could tear the incisions. I had laproscope.

When I had mine out like over 10 yrs ago it didn't take me out of work for longer than a week. Back then I wasn't into working out, I do know I was up and walking quickly...so hopefully you can do some light activities.

Abdominal surgery took me out for several months, atleast 6 when I finally felt able to get into a routine. It took me a year before I felt completely back to myself, darn anesthesia. Just remember each person is different so listen to your body, last thing you want is to cause more damage. Take Care

I had mine taken out a couple years ago.

I was in the hospital longer before the surgery then I was after.
They did laproscopy so there are only 4 little scars and they didnt even use stitches, they used that skin glue or whatever its medically called. I was completely fine as soon as I was home, just had to keep the cuts clean until they healed.

The only thing I recommend is staying near a bathroom for awhile after your surgery until you figure out what your body will and will not tolerate. Your bowl movements will change rather drastically.

Its nothing to fear.
Good luck.

Hiya. I had keyhole surgery to remove my gallbladder eight years ago, and everything went fine. I was scared as anything beforehand, never having been to hospital before, but I was worried about nothing. I was sore for just a few days, and I was off work for three weeks, seeing as I have a pretty physical job, but never any problems. Talk to your doctors and go by how you feel. I guess it must be different for everyone. You may not be able to run or jog for about a month, but after a week or so you should be able to walk well enough and do VERY light tasks.....all the best with it! The result is worth the inconvenienience, believe me. No more being woken up at night with agonising stomach pains......blissss!

If you have had gallbladder infections or pain from it bottom line is you need the gallbladder removed.

If the gallbladder is removed by laproscopically (keyhole) and majority are, then you should need at least a week off work, 2 weeks at most. You can exercise gently as you are able but be sensible and listen to the aches and pains of your body. If you are just running that is far better than if you are doing weights and sit ups. If you are doing any toning exercising you shouldn't really be doing sit ups or weights that cause tension on the abdominal wall for about 3 to 4 weeks in order to prevent getting a hernia post-op.

I had mine out in July and kicked myself for postponing it!!
I had it done the less invasive way and was out for two weeks.
The worst pain was from them putting air into you to inflate everything inside. Had this AWFULLLL pain in my shoulder for TWO WEEKS. It normally only should last for a few days. But mine was longer. Ugh worst pain EVER.

EDIT: my scars STILL friggin ITCH!!!!!!!

My sister had it back in the old days 70's and it was a rough road. She spent over a week in the hospital and left there with drainage tubes. Has a hugh long ugly scar. But these days it is out patient surgery. Go in the morning and go home for lunch. My daughter had it and she went shopping at walmart when they released her. Some woman that worked in a bakery at a store I worked at had the surgery one day and went back to work the next day. I am sure either of those things are not advisable, but it made a drastic difference in surgerys and in recovery time. Guess everyone is different too and the drs. will advise you on how much you can do. Good luck for smooth sailing during and after the surgery.

I had mine out in 96. My guy just had his out last week. It will depend on how physical your job is as to how soon you go back. As far as recovery time, pain and side effects....everyone is different. Read up on possible side effects so you will have some idea of what you MIGHT get. I only took 1 pain pill after I drove myself home the day after surgery, after that I was uncomfortable but not in real pain. I think my guy likes his pain meds a little too much but they will be gone soon. Talk to your doctor about how soon you can return to running and lifting, and if you should wear a "support" garment for a while.

Good Luck!

I'm not the typical story.. as soon as my friend got me a few hours after surgery we were eating out for lunch, shopping, and getting pedicures! I don't recommend that though, I just have an insanely high pain tolerance after having my daughter. I only needed pain pills for two days and I didn't have any side effects. Try not to look at it like it'll set you back, you're going to be much better off in the long run!

I just had mine out the day before Thanksgiving. My doctor allowed me to go back to GENTLE walking at two weeks. Next week will be 4 weeks and I can start doing the elliptical again. I have to wait two more weeks after that before I can do any weight training. I feel fine, but the doc wants to make sure I'm completely healed up before I resume. You don't want to risk tearing something inside that isn't quite healed.

I had surgery at 12:30 and was home by 4:30. I was sick as a dog from the anesthesia and really sore, but not really in intense pain. The third day, Friday, I felt HORRIBLE. I think it was that "3rd day syndrome" where you feel worst on the third day. On Saturday, though, I went and watched my sister and niece dance in "The Nutcracker". I had a pillow held to my abdomen, but I did fine. I went to church on Sunday and back to work on Monday.

I know the surgery is not fun and it stops your exercise in its tracks for a little while, but you don't want to put it off. Better to just get it over with! You don't say if you've had any actual gallbladder "attacks", but if you haven't, get it done before you do. The first one I had, I woke up at 2 AM in so much pain I thought I was having a heart attack. Just as I was getting ready to call my parents (my mom is a nurse), I threw up VIOLENTLY (so violently that I burst capillaries in my face!). I felt better after that, but I had 3 more attacks over the next 2 1/2 weeks. You also don't want to put it off because if you have stones, they cause not only pain, but also can cause blocked bile ducts and problems with the pancreas. You definitely don't want to go down that road because the recovery time will be even longer.

Good luck with your surgery!