Question for those who've had their gallbladder removed

[Malice X Girl 0]

I went in to see the doc. today and he said to get it taken out. I asked him how long recovery time would be and he said to get it out on Saturday and I could be back to teaching on Monday...Tuesday at the latest. I was SHOCKED. What was your recovery time? I'm pretty active and up and about with these elementary kids and just have a hard time thinking that its that easy....

[lamamama 0]

I had my gall bladder removed in 2001. Just small incisions (lap) and they pulled it out of my belly button.. Anyway I was off work 2 weeks. The same surgeon did this that did my band. I couldn't lift, pull, or push anything over 15 lbs. (same thing as now) for 2 weeks. I felt pretty good a week after. If it wasn't for the lifting I could of went back to work then. The recovery from that surgery is similar to the band as far as pain and gas. Except you don't have the port pain. Good Luck!

[piercedqt78 658]

I could have done a desk job in 3 days. I had surgery on Thursday and could have done "light duty" on monday. I took care of a 4 year old all weekend after surgery. I had more gas pain then actual pain. ~Mandy

[Surby 1]

After my gall bladder surgery, I went back to work in about 4 days, but I only worked half days. I was teaching at the time, but I only did pull-outs. If I had still been in the classroom, there's NO WAY I could've gone back that soon. I don't think some people realize how physically demanding teaching is!

[coyotegirl 3]

I just had my GB out Friday and I returned to work (Preschool teacher) today. I was very tired when I got home but no pain.

I thought that after a little rest I could go do some food shopping, Well I was wrong!!! Half way through Wal-Mart I was crying like a baby because I was so tired. People were asking me if I was ok and I would just cry out Yeeesss Ok bad decision. Just take it easy after surgery and you should be fine! Tomorrow it's nothing but work then home to rest!!

Good luck

[Malice X Girl 0]

Thanks for the info guys. It is really rough but it's nice to know that it seems to go somewhat smoothly.

[DeniseC 0]

I had my gall bladder removed this past June after a trip to the ER. The stuck gallstone was 30mm, which is pretty big, and as a result, my recovery was a bit longer than expected. I had the surgery on a Tuesday morning, spent the night in the hospital and was released late in the afternoon on Wednesday. Was in quite a bit of pain until about Monday (but my main incision was a lot bigger than normal due to the size of the stone) and was on some heavy duty painkillers. Finally got back to work (I work remotely at home---office is in CA) that next Wednesday. Then I couldn't lift more than 20 lbs for 6 weeks.

The doc told me that everyone is different in their recovery. Good luck with yours and let us know how it turns out!

Denise

[lisah25 3]

I was off for two weeks, had mine out about 4 years ago. But, I had also had a stone stuck and had an infection, so had to recover from that as well as the GB surgery.

Overall, I think the GB was an easier surgery then the band was to recover from.

[leatha_g 4]

I agree with Lisah. I was off my bed as soon as they got me back into it. It wasn't that easy for me after the band surgery. All in all, my gallbladder surgery was very easy and quickly recovered from.

[seppi 0]

I was off for 3 days including the day of surgery. I was sore but could function fine.

[momof2boys 0]

I think it all depends on what goes on in your surgery. I had mine out and stayed out of work for 2-3 weeks. I had some impacted stones though and they had to be dug out so my pain lasted a bit longer. I actually thought GB surgery was worse than lapband surgery. I could have gone back to work on a Monday after a Thursday surgery with lapband. My situation may have been complicated as I was also 8 weeks post C-section when they took the GB but I think you need to wait and see how you feel.

[Elisabethsew 50]

I thought my gallbladder surgery was a piece of cake compared to the lapband surgery and was out planting flowers 3 days post-op. Be advised that for any abdominal surgery (regardless of surgical approach), no heavy lifting (> 25 pounds) is advised for 6 weeks. Good luck to you!

[babyjessica 0]

I had my gallbladder out before banding. I thought it was a piece of cake compared to banding. I did take a week off and enjoyed myself. I was thinking this is how housewives must feel. I had my surgery on a Friday and took the next week off. I took the baby to daycare everyday and lounge around the house until it was time to pick her up.

[vinesqueen 2]

I had my gallbladder out before my band, by a few years. I needed about 4 weeks before I was feeling like my old self.

My banding was a breeze, compaired to the gallbladder. I was horseback riding withing a couple of weeks of my band. I couldn't have even thought about doing that with the gallbladder.

But then I wasn't sick with the band, I was with the gallbladder...

[early 0]

I had my gallbladder removed in 2000. I was feeling more or less normal after 5 days, but more tired than usual for around 2 weeks. It was quite painful for the first 3 days - difficulty in sitting up from bed, but every day brought big improvements. Good luck!