How long does it take to heal after gallbladder surgery

Most people go home on the same day as their surgery to remove the gallbladder. However, some people need to stay in hospital overnight. 

After gallbladder removal surgery, it is important to manage your pain with painkillers and take care of your wound. 

When your wound has healed, you have small scars. These scars are pink at first and gradually fade over the next few months.

Pain after surgery

You might have pain in 1 or both shoulders. This happens when your diaphragm (the muscle separating your chest and tummy) is irritated by the carbon dioxide gas used during surgery. 

To ease the pain:

  • lie on your left side with your right knee and thigh pulled up towards your chest
  • walk around to help your body reabsorb the gas
  • use a heating pad on your shoulder for 10 to 15 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day
  • take painkillers as prescribed

You might also have some discomfort around the area that we treated. This should be more comfortable after taking painkillers.

It is important that you take your painkillers regularly for the first few days. This keeps the medicine at a constant level in your body. It will then control your pain better.

After a few days, you can gradually reduce your painkillers until you do not need them.

It is important that you do not take more than the recommended amount (dose) of any medicine each day. Please read the label and patient information leaflet inside the box.

Eating and drinking

You might find it easier to eat small meals more often in the first few days after surgery. You can increase how much you eat at your own pace. 

You do not need a specific diet after your gallbladder has been removed. However, some people find that they do not tolerate (digest) fatty foods as well. 

It is always best to have a well-balanced diet. Please speak to your GP if you need advice on healthy eating. 

We close any wounds with stitches or glue. Usually, we put a special skin glue on top of the wound. This does not need an extra dressing. With the skin glue, you can have a shower or bath as soon as you like, and gently pat the wounds dry.

Do not pick at the glue. It gently flakes off after 5 to 10 days.

If we use dressings, they are usually splash-proof. You can carefully wash or shower, but need to remove and replace the dressings if they get soaked.

There may be paper strips under a dressing. You can remove all dressings and strips a week after your surgery.

You may notice tingling, numbness and itching of the wound, and a hard lumpy feeling as the new scar tissues form. This is part of the normal healing process.

If you have stitches in the skin, they are usually dissolvable and do not need to be removed. Your nurse tells you if this is not the case.

You need to pat the wounds gently when drying. Do not rub the area.

Do not use creams or ointments on your wounds until they have fully healed. This prevents any delay in your wound healing. 

Returning to your usual activities

The general anaesthetic takes 24 to 48 hours to wear off. 

You do not need to stay in bed during this time. Gently moving around helps to get rid of any gas trapped in your stomach. It also prevents blood clots in your legs.

Do not climb long flights of stairs for 24 hours to 36 hours after surgery. Only climb stairs when you feel able.

We encourage you to return to all the activities that you enjoyed before surgery. Most people return to work within 1 to 2 weeks. 

You need to avoid heavy exercise for 10 to 15 days after surgery. This could include running or aerobics.

It is important to build up your exercise gently. Light jogging is fine after 1 week if you feel able, especially if you jogged regularly before surgery.

  • Function
    • What Is the Function of the Gallbladder?
  • Cholecystectomy
    • What Is Gallbladder Removal Surgery?
  • Gall Stones
    • Why Is Gallbladder Removal Surgery Performed?
  • Recovery
    • How Long Is the Recovery from Gallbladder Surgery?
  • Complications
    • What Are the Risks of Gallbladder Removal?
  • Guide
    • How Long Is the Recovery from Gallbladder Surgery? Topic Guide

What Is the Function of the Gallbladder?

How long does it take to heal after gallbladder surgery

It only takes about two weeks to fully recover from a laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. Recovery time is more like six to eight weeks for an open surgery.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that is located under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat in food.

What Is Gallbladder Removal Surgery?

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) surgery is removal of the gallbladder, which is done in one of two different ways:

  • Laparoscopic surgery is the most common procedure for gallbladder removal in which a surgeon uses a long, thin tube with a light and a tiny camera on the end to see inside the body (laparoscope). A few small incisions are made and the surgeon inserts the laparoscope and other special tools through the incisions to perform the operation.
  • Open surgery is performed when the gallbladder and bile duct are too infected or scarred to safely perform laparoscopic surgery. It may also be recommended in patients who are obese, have severe gallbladder disease, or pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy. In this procedure, a larger incision in in the belly is created to perform the surgery directly.

Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia.

Why Is Gallbladder Removal Surgery Performed?

The most common reason for gallbladder removal surgery is to treat gallstones that form inside the gallbladder. 

In many cases, gallstones do not cause problems and surgery is only needed if a stone blocks a bile duct, resulting in a “gallbladder attack,” which causes severe, stabbing pain in the belly that can last several hours. 

Gallstones do not go away on their own without treatment. Medications may be tried first, but they can take months to years to dissolve the stones, and gallstones often return.

In some cases, gallstones can block the bile ducts and prevent them from draining, which results in pain, inflammation, nausea, and vomiting. 

In serious cases, gallstones can lead to yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), gallbladder infection, inflamed gallbladder (cholecystitis), inflamed bile ducts (cholangitis), tears in the gallbladder (which can be fatal), and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). 

Other reasons gallbladder removal surgery may be indicated include:

  • Pancreatitis 
  • Gallbladder cancer
  • Chronic acalculous gallbladder disease

How long does it take to heal after gallbladder surgery

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How Long Is the Recovery from Gallbladder Surgery?

Recovery varies depending on whether laparoscopic or open surgery is performed.

With laparoscopic surgery, patients are usually able to leave the hospital the same day as the procedure. In some cases, there will be an overnight stay required. Patients are advised to rest and avoid sports, heavy lifting, and swimming for at least one week, and patients can usually resume their normal routine in about 2 weeks.

With open surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. Once home, patients are advised to avoid sports, heavy lifting, and swimming for a few weeks. It may take 6 to 8 weeks for a full recovery.

What Are the Risks of Gallbladder Removal?

The risks of gallbladder removal surgery include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Damage to other bile ducts near the gallbladder 
  • Bile leakage
  • Gallstones that remain stuck in the bile duct - “post-cholecystectomy syndrome” (PCS)
  • Bowel damage

References

Medscape Medical Reference

How long does it take for your insides to heal after gallbladder surgery?

Recovering from laparoscopic cholecystectomy will take up to 6 weeks for most people. You may be back to most normal activities in a week or two, but it can take several weeks to return to your normal energy level. You may have some of these symptoms as you recover: Pain in your belly.

Do and don'ts after gallbladder removal?

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Go easy on the fat. Avoid high-fat foods, fried and greasy foods, and fatty sauces and gravies for at least a week after surgery. ... .
Increase the fiber in your diet. This can help normalize bowel movements. ... .
Eat smaller, more-frequent meals. This may ensure a better mix with available bile..

What is the fastest way to recover from gallbladder surgery?

How can you care for yourself at home?.
Rest when you feel tired. ... .
Try to walk each day. ... .
For about 2 to 4 weeks, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. ... .
Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weightlifting, and aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay..

How long does your stomach stay swollen after gallbladder surgery?

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.