Out patient gall bladder removal questions

wonderfulworld · ‎12-05-2012

I am going to be helping out a 60ish female friend who is going to have this done. Can anyone tell me what the day of surgery and trip home is like and the recovery time after? How long might she need someone to stay with her?

She is in good health and mobile.

Many thanks!

CareBears · ‎08-30-2015

I had my gall bladder removed about 8 years ago, they made me stay in the hospital overnight due to the time my surgery was performed (night), I left the next day. For me the recovery was very easy, I slept most of the day the day I got home, with little pain.

Two days after surgery I was at the bridal store helping pick out a wedding dress for my daughter, moving a little slow, but that was to be expected.

pegomyheart · ‎03-28-2010

I had it done several years ago, and was living alone at the time. In my 60's and in good health. My son drove me home. I was to take it easy for a few days and eat mild and soft food. The nurses gave me suggestions. It easy no problem at all. I remember going to my Aunt's wake 3 days later and I was just fine.

brandiwine · ‎03-11-2010

What a nice friend you are. I did very well. Home several hours after surgery. After surgery they will talk to you and her and give instructions. Take a list of questions to ask so you know what they recommend for her. Each person comes out of anesthesia differently. They will also tell you what kinds of things she should eat and what her limits are for the first few days. Best of luck.

wonderfulworld · ‎12-05-2012

Thank you for your replies!! If all goes well do you think she will need someone to spend the first night with her?

pegomyheart · ‎03-28-2010

No not really. Unless it would make her feel more secure knowing you are there.

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

Depends on how they do the surgery. If it's a simple removal she won't need lots of help. But I'd take it one step at a time. Plan on staying overnight just in case, but if she's getting around then you can leave. My DD had hers out at 8 am and we were back home by noon. She slept all day and went shopping 3 days later.

I had mine out 2 yrs ago and had a totally different experience. I was in the hospital for 3 days, had lots of pain, and took a week to recover. With mine, the surgeon dialated the bile duct and went in scooping out stones. It was more extensive.

Different people have different results. Just roll with it.

DrKelli · ‎03-10-2010

Sometimes the doctor wants someone to stay overnight with you the first night. I was supposed to be outpatient, but the surgeon was running late, so I ended up having my surgery late in the day and had to stay overnight in the hospital. The worst thing for me was the pain that can occur when the gas they use to "inflate" your abdomen is dissipating. I have a friend who is a nurse and she told me to get up and walk to get rid of it faster. It seems to travel right to your shoulder if you don't.

I was starving the next morning when the surgeon came to see me and she made sure I got the 'regular' breakfast. That night, I went out for Mexican food (I would NOT recommend this). When I had my stitches out a week later, I told the surgeon and she said "And how did that work out for you?" Really, I had no adverse effects, but the look on her face was priceless.

Mine was laproscopic, so my recovery time was much less than if they have to cut you wide open.

software · ‎06-08-2016

@wonderfulworld wrote:
I am going to be helping out a 60ish female friend who is going to have this done. Can anyone tell me what the day of surgery and trip home is like and the recovery time after? How long might she need someone to stay with her?

She is in good health and mobile.

Many thanks!

She will be "out of it" so she will probably need some direction as far as getting somethng to drink and maybe help to the restroom. She will most likely sleep a lot.

Depending in the surgeon, she may not need any attention to the wound. You are very kind to help.

I had robotic surgery last year, I sent my family home! I wanted peace & quiet to sleep. They don't let you rest in a hospital!

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

I had mine out in 2008--piece of cake --was in and out. It is surgery so she will be sore for a few days; first night or 2 may be hard to get comfy. Think I only took tylenol or maybe ibuprophen. Had to eat lightly and I think I went back to work a week later. I fended on my own just fine. Had family there for the first couple days but after that I did fine. No heavy lifting, just take it easy. But oh, the relief and being able to eat again. I was eating normally pretty fast and no trouble since.