Introduction
Most patients undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder removal go home the next morning. The surgery itself is one of the most refined operations in medicine, but the days afterwards can feel uncertain if no one has explained what is normal.
This guide walks through exactly what to expect in the first two weeks: pain levels, diet, walking, work, driving, and the warning signs that should send you back to hospital.
What is laparoscopic gallbladder removal?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder through four small (5 to 10 mm) incisions. The operation takes 45 to 60 minutes under general anaesthesia. Most patients are home within 24 hours and back to office work in a week.
The body does not need a gallbladder. Bile continues to flow from the liver to the intestine - just continuously instead of being stored. Within a few weeks the bile duct slightly enlarges and most patients notice no functional difference.
Symptoms & when to seek help
- Mild soreness around the four small incisions
- Shoulder tip pain in the first 24 to 48 hours (settles with walking)
- Looser stools for the first week
- Fatigue in the first 3 to 5 days
Causes & risk factors
- Symptomatic gallstones
- Acute or chronic cholecystitis
- Gallbladder polyps over 10 mm
- Gallstone pancreatitis once recovered
How it is diagnosed
- Daily review during your hospital stay
- First post-operative review at 7 to 10 days
- Biopsy report of the removed gallbladder reviewed at the same visit
Treatment options
- Paracetamol every 6 hours as the baseline painkiller
- Stronger painkillers for the first 2 to 3 days as needed
- Anti-acid for 2 to 4 weeks
- Walking from the same evening of surgery
Recovery & aftercare
- Day 1 to 2: mild soreness, walking around the house, normal soft diet
- Day 3 to 5: short walks outside, driving short distances, light office work from home
- Day 6 to 7: stitch removal or sutures dissolve, back to office, normal diet
- Week 2: gym (light cardio), full social activity
- Week 4: full activity including weight training
Risks of delaying care
- Persistent fever above 100°F - call the surgeon
- Jaundice - yellowing of eyes or skin
- Severe abdominal pain not controlled by painkillers
- Bilious or persistent vomiting
- Redness or discharge from any incision
Frequently asked questions
Reviewed by
Dr. Sanjay Yadagiri
Consultant - Minimal Access Surgery & Surgical Oncology
Over three decades of surgical experience. UK-trained, France-certified in laparoscopic and colorectal surgery, with a long association with the Indo-American Cancer Institute and Omega Hospitals, Hyderabad.
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