Gall bladder removal...?

Question

...I've just been told that I will be having my gall bladder out within the next 3 weeks. All being well, this will be done via keyhole surgery, although I have been warned this might not be possible.

If it keyhole, does anyone know how long I will need off work, and will I have to not drive for a time?

Thanks!

I was so stunned at being told this was going to happen this quickly, that I completely forgot to ask about work - and I'll need to give them some idea!

Answer 1

When I got my gall bladder removed (through small incisions as well), I had it done the Friday morning before Memorial Day. I had the long weekend to recover, and I was fine to go back Tuesday. I definately could not drive at all on Friday, and wasn't feeling up to it Saturday or Sunday, but Monday I was fine. I'd say listen to what your doctor says, but also trust the way you feel. If the doctor says you can drive the next day, but you feel yucky...don't drive. Good Luck!

Answer 2

I was in a similar situation to you. Only thing mine was more acute and had to be dealt with in a couple of days. On the pre op tests the surgeons noticed that apart from an inflamed gall bladder I also had a gangrenous appendix so they decided to both at the same time.This ruled out keyhole surgery and I had to have a laparotomy, which meant I was opened up from my breast bone right down to the bottom of my abdomen. I also had 3 days in intensive care on a ventilator and lost 3 days being completely unconscious. I was in hospital for a further week. I couldn't drive for about a month. I was retired so the time off work was not a factor. Your health is the most important thing. Don't worry about work If it takes 2 weeks or a month does it matter? You might be able to drive after a keyhole op in about a week.

Answer 3

I had this surgery at age 55; I have 4 - 1/2" incisions on my abdomen. I went home the same day. I was able to schedule it for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving; I then took Friday off.

It was mentioned that if the gall bladder was not removable due to size, I would need a longer incision and more recovery time.

Someone did drive me home due to the anesthetic; I think that is required. But I could drive in a couple of days.

As it was relatively painless, I could have gone back to work after only one day following the surgery. I never even needed any pain medication. Just rested a little.

Answer 4

I had my gall bladder removed by keyhole surgery. The actual surgery was fine and I wooould have been out on the same day but unfortunately they found that when they started the op, my gall bladder was so infected that it had stuck to my liver...quite rare apparently and there was a leak from my bile duct, so I had to stay in hospital for a week. I was pretty sick but if it had gone smoothly I would have been in and out of hospital in one day.I think you can drive within a couple of weeks (I can't fully remember now) and I do'nt think it takes that long to get back to work.It is a nice clean operation.I have 5 very small incisions on different parts of my stomach which healed lovely. good luck with your op and you'll feel loads better than having painful gall stones x

Answer 5

Hiya, I had this done in November 2000. I had had to wait 6 weeks to have it done because the gallbladder was really infected, and nearly had to be cut open properly but in the end I had keyhole.

I can remember being in hospital for 2 days and being in quite a bit of pain, and altogether I'd say it was a week or so before I felt "right". I can remember being told they had had to put a lot of air and water in there to manoeuvre my gallbladder out or get at it, and I think that was what made me feel worst. When I came round and for the time I was in hospital I felt like someone was sat on my abdomen, but that passed. Once the recovery period was up I felt better than I had done in a long time, everyone around me noticed the difference!

Good luck!

Answer 6

I had my gall bladder out a couple years ago using the "keyhole" method. I was told I would be off work for at least a week. If they had to "cut me open" they said it could be two - three weeks before i felt well enough to return to work. the doctor compared the healing time to that of a c-section.

Answer 7

gillian...did you have a post surgery follow up visit with your doctor? you should be able to start back on your exercise by now, although limit it at first...ease your way back into it. I had the same surgery a year and a half ago. The only pain that i still suffer from it is occasionally, especially first thing in the morning and with an empty stomach, i get pains similar to the gall-bladder attacks...i have found that drinking about 4 ounces of milk immediately alleviates the pain.

Answer 8

That depends on what type of work you do and how quickly you bounce back. Some can go back to work within a week others take weeks off. If you have a job where you have to lift you will need more time off.

As far as driving as long as you are on pain meds you should not be driving.

Most of our patients are off the pain meds and back to driving within a week. That depends on how much pain you can stand.

If you get up and move around daily you feel better and will heal quicker.

Good luck.

Answer 9

laparoscopic surgery is still major surgery, plan on being off work at least a week to give yourself time to heal internally.
You don't want to climb stairs or lift anything heavier than a fork for the same amount of time. And no you should not drive as long as you are taking pain relief medication, and there will be pain.

Answer 10

Its generally a day surgery if they can do it laprscopic. All you should need is a couple of days off work unless they have to open you up then it will be 4 days or more. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home the day of the surgery but after that it should be no problem