Gallbladder surgery- recovery time?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Oct 22, 2006

A week laparoscopic, if there are no complications.

But, the more you put off getting it done, the worse the condition gets, the more the odds increase for an open procedure, which will take a lot more time, and a lot more pain meds to get through.

Achoo!, LPN · Oct 22, 2006

Thanks Marie. Hopefully I can get my ultrasound and hold off until the end of the semester. The pain is definately getting worse and coming more often.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 22, 2006

Thanks Marie. Hopefully I can get my ultrasound and hold off until the end of the semester. The pain is definately getting worse and coming more often.

I had my lap chole done on a Friday. Sunday, I went to an all-day party, was out pulling weeds on Tuesday, and was back to work on a med/surg floor the following Thursday. Not that I would recommend that to anyone else, but the fact is, it can be done, even if you're old and fat like me.

Please don't delay; as Marie said, the longer you wait, the more apt you are to have complications that will keep you off your feet longer. Best of luck to you......this is a miserable condition, and the sooner you get it taken care of, the better.

KellieNurse06 · Oct 22, 2006

I had my GB out back in '91 and it ended up being the old open way...I was hunched over for a few days and had a drain in place for a week until I got the staples out & drain yanked......it took a while to feel better.......and as for the pain getting worse as time goes on...heck ya! Get it out now while you have a better chance of having a lap done....I had a lap done 4 years ago for female problems with my tubes...and I know it's not the same as a GB surgery, but I was in & out of the hospital in a matter of about 6 hours total from admission until discharge....I was walking around that afternoon like nothing was done...and I had no pain at all....never even needed pain meds..I think I actually took some tylenol the first 2 days to nip any possible pain in the bud, but that was it. You can go back in a couple of days if everything goes well & all......but I say get it over with..suffering is not fun...I remember my attacks with my GB & I was in agony & I had immediate relief after my surgery........good luck with yours!

land64shark · Oct 22, 2006

I don't want to rain on your parade, but we had a girl who scheduled a lap chole over Spring break last semester. She went in on Wednesday and missed the first few days of the next week that she hadn't planned on. She was forced to drop because she had already missed some days prior because of daycare issues and they told her she would not be able to make them up.

Hopefully yours will go much more smoothly.

WDWpixieRN, RN · Oct 22, 2006

Emphasis on the "don't wait"...I worked with a gal in a bank many years ago who put it off until one afternoon she ended up in the breakroom with a bad sweat and vomiting....ended up taking an ambulance trip the hospital for emergency surgery...wasn't pretty....

Take care of yourself!

Achoo!, LPN · Oct 22, 2006

Thanks everyone. I will make an appt this week.

kukukajoo, LPN · Oct 22, 2006

I had mine out on Aug 30 and was there for 1st day of class Sept 6th. I was told by docs some pts do so well they walk out of the hospital and next day are fine. They say older you are better you do overall, but not a standard. A friend had 2 coworkers who were next day-ers.

Oh I also had a partial mastectomy same day- figured I would get 'em over with at the same time!

I had complications unrelated to surgery that hospitalized me later that week as I have pulmonary problems. Evidently I had a 1" cyst in my lung during surgery which was not picked up. I know now to have chest xray before any procedure from now on. Live and learn. Had more complications from this than the surgery.

BoonersmomRN · Oct 22, 2006

I had a lap choley 9 years ago. I recovered in just a few days:). I was in and out of the hospital in about 6 hours as well. I went home w/ a script for vicodin and only took about 8.

BoonersmomRN · Oct 22, 2006

I also echo the dont wait crowd. I had a horrible attack while DRIVING. I thank god everyday I was able to make it to pull off on the shoulder. It was not easy

lisabeth · Oct 23, 2006

I wouldnt wait either. I kept putting mine off until I thought I was having a heart attack. My ex rushed me to the hospital and they scheduled surgery for the next day. There was gangrene already setting in. I hope things work out for you.