Recovery After Gallbladder Surgery: What to Expect

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that measures about 2–4 inches. It is under your liver and stores bile, a digestive fluid. You do not need your gallbladder to live or have good digestion. If the gallbladder becomes inflamed or you develop symptomatic gallstones, your doctor may recommend removing it. Your liver will do the job that your gallbladder did.

A cholecystectomy is the name for surgery to remove your gallbladder. Recovery from gallbladder surgery varies according to the surgical approach and your general health. It ranges from a few days to a few weeks for most people.

This article will explain what to expect after having your gallbladder removed, including tips for recovery at home.

A cholecystectomy is the medical name for having your gallbladder removed. It involves removing the gallbladder and usually occurs due to gallstones. These stones can result from bile stasis or bile production. Galllstones often cause no symptoms.

Other reasons for gallbladder surgery include gallbladder inflammation or gallbladder polyps.

Gallstones block the flow of bile, thus irritating the gallbladder. This condition is called acute cholecystitis. When irritation occurs in the pancreas, it is called acute pancreatitis. Both of these conditions include symptoms, such as:

• stomach pain
• nausea
• jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin or eyes
• fever

Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the best way to treat issues relating to gallstones.

Read more about gallstones here.

Gallstones are hard fragments of cholesterol or other material that form in the bile ducts. Gallstones may not cause symptoms, but if they do cause pain, they will not go away without treatment.

Your doctor may recommend gallbladder removal, which includes different types:

A surgeon will place you under general anesthesia for laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, which usually takes 1–2 hours. The doctor makes small incisions in your abdomen and inserts a flexible tube with a camera at the end. This allows doctors to see the procedure on a video monitor, making the process more precise.

Surgeons can remove the gallbladder with surgical tools through your navel. Some people who have this surgery go home the same day.

Due to certain health conditions, your surgeon may use open surgery to remove your gallbladder. These conditions include bleeding disorders, obesity, or if you are in the last trimester of pregnancy.

The surgeon will make one incision below your ribs, about 4–6 in long, and remove the gallbladder through the incision. The operation usually takes about 2 hours.

The larger incision makes recovery from this surgery slower than the laparoscopic approach. You will probably stay in the hospital for 2–3 days. 

After either operation, doctors may administer pain medication. Doctors may also encourage you to get out of bed, sit in a chair, or walk around with assistance. You may be able to drink some liquids on the day of surgery and eat small meals the following day. 

Read all about gallbladder surgery here.

When you get home, you may feel tired and sore. You should start to feel better in 1–2 days. Your incision may feel numb. Expect some drainage, but seek medical advice if there are any concerns.  

Your medical team will show you how to care for your incision. This may include:

• having non-dissolvable stitches removed
• changing your bandage when it becomes wet
• changing the bandage at least once per day
• removing the surgical clue or strips when they loosen

There are tips you can follow to help the recovery process after gallbladder surgery, including:

• Treating pain: Put a cold pack on your abdomen every couple of hours for 10–20 minutes. Never put ice directly on your body. 
• Resting: Get plenty of rest but try to walk a little each day to prevent blood clots or lung problems.  
• Self-maintenance: You can take a warm shower, as long as it is not too hot. Be sure to carefully pat the incision dry. 
• Eating: Eat small amounts of food throughout the day rather than large meals as your appetite returns.
• Bowel movements: You may have loose stool, diarrhea, or constipation in the early stages of recovery. Ask your doctor about how to address any problems with bowel movements, such as taking fiber. 
• Avoid lifting: For about 2–4 weeks, or as your doctor advises, avoid lifting anything that would make you strain. Typically, you should not lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for up to 6 weeks.
• Exercise: Avoid riding a bike, jogging, lifting weights, or doing physically demanding exercise until your doctor says it is okay.
• Sexual activity: Ask your doctor when it is okay to resume sexual activity. 

It is important to increase activity levels safely after surgery. You can do small household tasks, such as dusting or preparing a simple meal. As you slowly increase your exercise, try walking up and down stairs or taking a stroll. 

Driving and returning to work will depend on what kind of surgery you had and what kind of work you do.

If you had laparoscopic surgery, you will probably be able to return to work in 1–2 weeks. If you had open surgery, you can typically return to work in 3–4 weeks. 

It usually takes several weeks before your energy level returns to normal, but individual recovery time can vary.

Always follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully. Call a healthcare professional with any questions or concerns after your gallbladder surgery. 

Removing your gallbladder is a common surgery and carries minimal complications. You should be able to go home on the same day.

There are many tips to aid in recovery, including getting the right amount of rest, eating a nutritious diet, and cleaning your incision.