The recovery time after gallbladder surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure that is done.Recovery from open gallbladder surgery, for example, may take up to six weeks, while recovery from laparoscopic surgery may only take a week or two. You can expect to feel some pain while you recover, and you may also feel fatigued or have other symptoms like diarrhea.
Although there are some general postoperative guidelines that apply to most surgical procedures, the number of days in the hospital, thetime that it takes to return to normal activities, and other recovery factors will be different for different people.
This article discusses how long it typically takes for people to recover from gallbladder surgery, as well as what to expect during recovery.
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Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Timeline
Recovery after a cholecystectomy can be hard. Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery performed. For example, recovery is much faster for a simple cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder only) compared to a radical cholecystectomy (a gallbladder removal procedure involving the removal of the gallbladder, part of the liver, and adjacent lymph nodes).
The recovery process may also vary depending on the reason for your gallbladder surgery. For example, if you had surgery due to gallstones, the recovery process of regaining your strength and getting back to a normal diet may be challenging.But if you had gallbladder surgery due to cancer or other chronic conditions, there may be quite a long road to recovery.
Recovery times are also different for a minimally invasive/laparoscopic surgery (provided there are no complications) vs. an open surgery (traditional surgery, involving a large incision). After minimally invasive surgery, a person is often discharged the same day or the following day. The hospital stay after open surgery is two to four days longer, and overall recovery takes longer as well.
You can go up and down stairs on the day of your surgery. The next day, you may take your bandages off and take a shower.
You can expect to feel a little better each day after going home. If not, consult with your healthcare provider.
The first few days after you return home:
- You will probably feel weak and tired.
- You may have some swelling of the abdomen.
- If you had laparoscopic surgery, you may have pain in your right shoulder for approximately 24 hours. This is due to the carbon dioxide gas that is inserted into the abdomen (during the procedure) to make space for the surgeon to perform the procedure and to view the surgical site.
24 to 48 hours after surgery:
- You may take your bandages off and shower if your healthcare provider gives you the OK to do so.Be sure to gently pat the incision dry (avoid rubbing it).
- Avoid taking a bath for the first two weeks or until you have your healthcare provider’s approval.
One to two weeks after surgery:
You may get the OK from your surgeon to return to work and go back to normal activities, if you had laparoscopic surgery, depending on what type of work you do.However, it’s important to follow the instructions of your surgeon or family healthcare provider before resuming a normal schedule.
The first two to four weeks after the surgery:
- You may burp often.
- You may get diarrhea (it may last two to four weeks or longer).
Four to six weeks after surgery:
You may be given the OK to return to work and resume normal activities if you had open surgery. But, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider before resuming normal activities. It may be six to eight weeks before you can return to a more manual job.
Open Surgery Timeline
If your gallbladder removal surgery was performed via an open surgery method, you will need to stay in the hospital a few days after the surgery. Expect to return back to normal activities in around four to six weeks after your procedure.
Recovery time will be slower in other ways as well, for example, your pain may last longer. Your healthcare provider will explain what you should expect in terms of normal recovery time.
Surgery Follow-Up
After gallbladder surgery, it’s important to follow up with your surgeon in two to three weeks after you are discharged. There are some situations in which you should see your family healthcare provider or surgeon sooner than two weeks.
If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away:
- Fever over 101 degrees F
- Severe pain
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Jaundice (a yellowish tinge to the skin or the whites of the eyes)
- Nausea or vomiting
- Inability to eat or drink
- Bleeding or pus around the surgical site/s
- Redness surrounding the surgical site/s (that worsens or spreads)
- Pain that is unrelieved by pain medication
- Breathing problems
- A cough that does not improve
- Gray bowel movements
Managing Pain as You Recover
You will experience pain after your surgery.The severity of your pain will depend on several factors including your pain tolerance, what type of procedure you had, and more.After laparoscopic surgery, it’s common to experience shoulder pain for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Your surgeon may suggest that you take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Using ice on the incision site may help to alleviate pain, but be sure to discuss the best way to use ice with your healthcare provider.
Your surgeon may prescribe narcotic pain medication for the first few days after surgery. If you have any questions about taking pain medications, side effects or other inquiries, be sure to discuss your questions with a healthcare provider.
It’s common to experience some nausea and vomiting from the anesthesia; these symptoms should resolve in a day or two.Narcotic pain medications are likely to worsen nausea and vomiting.
Try taking your pain medication after you eat (unless your healthcare provider advises against it).Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you are unable to take the pain medication or if your nausea doesn’t resolve itself in a day or two after surgery.
Other Medications
Your healthcare provider will advise you regarding when to start taking your regular medications again after surgery.If you are on blood thinners (or other medications) and you stopped taking them before surgery, be sure to consult with your surgeon or family healthcare provider about when to resume taking them.
If you were prescribed antibiotics, after surgery, be sure to take the full course, as prescribed; do not stop taking antibiotics when you begin feeling better.
If you are constipated after surgery, consult with your healthcare provider.A change of diet, walking as tolerated each day, and increasing your intake of water may help alleviate constipation.
If not and you've been backed up for two or more days, they may prescribe a mild laxative. Don’t take any type of laxative or other over-the-counter medication without your healthcare provider’s approval.
Gallbladder Surgery Recovery Diet
For the initial few days after gallbladder surgery, you will need to follow a clear liquid diet (e.g., broth, gelatin, and other transparent liquids). You will then be able to gradually advance to a regular low-fat diet.
It's only once your stool is no longer liquid that you can gradually introduce regular solid foods. It’s common for people to return to eating a normal diet within a month after gallbladder surgery.
The following diet guidance can help you make food choices as you recover. These are particularly important in the four weeks after gallbladder surgery. In some cases, they may be recommended beyond that.
Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
This list provides examples and is not a full review of all recommended/discouraged foods after gallbladder surgery. Take guidance from your healthcare provider as to what you can eat and when you can eat it.
| Diet in the Weeks After Gallbladder Sugery | |
|---|---|
| Foods to Eat | Foods to Avoid |
| Fruit, especially avocado | Foods fried in oil (e.g., French fries, doughnuts) |
| Broth and clear soups | Meats high in fat (e.g., bacon, sausage) |
| Eggs and egg substitutes | Whole milk and high-fat dairy/dairy products, including cream-based soups |
| Dairy-free milk and low-fat Greek yogurt | Spicy foods |
| White meat chicken and turkey without skin | Pizza |
| Omega-3 rich fish (e.g., salmon, cod, sardines) | Lard, shortening |
| Flax seeds, chia seeds | Butter |
| Gravy made from meat drippings | |
| Skin from chicken or turkey | |
| Chocolate | |
| Oils (coconut oil, palm oil, and other types of oil) and oil-based products (e.g., mayo) | |
| Gas-producing foods (e.g., beans, cabbage) | |
| Convenience foods | |
| Alcohol | |
As you shape (and re-shape) your eating plans:
- Make smaller meals that you eat more often.
- Drink plenty of fluids, unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise.
- Keep eating bland foods (such as plain white rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt) if you have an upset stomach.
- As you start to re-introduce fats, select foods with no more than 3 grams of fat per serving. Choose foods that contain healthy, unsaturated fat vs. saturated fat.
Diet After Gallbladder Removal: What to Eat and What to Avoid
Type of Fat Matters
You might notice that the list of approved/discouraged foods contains some that have fat.
The body’s absorption of fat is compromised after the gallbladder is removed. But that doesn't mean fat needs to be avoided outright. Rather, it’s important to limit your intake of foods that are high in omega-6 fatty acids (the type of fat that most people on the Western diet get too much of).
Foods rich in omega-6s include vegetable oils (e.g., canola sunflower, corn, grapeseed, lard) and products that contain them, such as mayonnaise, bottled salad dressing, and convenience foods. Those made with white flour and/or sugar should be particularly avoided.
Instead, focus on eating more foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These can be found in:
- Fish (wild-caught selections of sardines, oysters, salmon, cod, herring, sardines, and anchovies)
- Flax seeds
- Chia seeds
- Avocados
You can also get them from supplements, including fish oil, cod liver oil, and krill oil supplements.
Returning to a Normal Diet
Reintroducing new foods too quickly can result in gas, bloating, and abdominal cramps. Gradually reintroduce foods that are high in fiber, such as:
- Whole grains (including whole grain bread, quinoa, brown rice, oats, and more)
- Legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- Beans
- Vegetables (such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts)
Keep track of the foods you eat in writing.Keeping a food journal will help you to remember which foods you’ve recently reintroduced, which cause GI upset, andwhich ones don’t.
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
If you experience any of the following as you progressively return to a normal diet, contact your healthcare provider:
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Worsening or severe abdominal pain
- Jaundice (yellowish tinge to the skin or whites of the eyes)
- No bowel movement or inability to pass gas for more than three days after surgery
- Diarrhea that lasts more than three days after surgery
Activity
Even on the day of your surgery, it's important to get up and walk as often as possible. This will help you recover faster and avoid blood clots.
General guidelines after cholecystectomy include the following:
- Be sure to rest whenever you feel tired; getting plenty of sleep will promote healing and help you recover. To avoid putting pressure on your incisions, it's recommended that you sleep on your back and avoid laying on your right side after surgery.
- Attempt to take a walk each day after the first 24 hours.Initially, walk a short distance, then increase the distance (by a little further) each day and gradually increase the distance that you walk.Walking will improve your circulation while helping to prevent pneumonia and promoting normal bowel function.
- Avoid any type of lifting for at least two to four weeks after your surgery (this includes lifting your child, carrying objects such as groceries, a briefcase, backpack, dog food bag, cat litter, a vacuum cleaner, or more).Again, be sure to follow your surgeon’s instructions on when you can resume lifting heavy objects.
- Avoid any type of strenuous activity, including exercising such as bike riding, running, lifting weights, aerobics, or other types of exercise until you get the OK from your healthcare provider.
- Once you stop taking pain medications, you can sit comfortably for relatively long periods of time and you can quickly move your foot from the gas pedal to the brake, it is usually OK to drive, but be sure your healthcare provider has given you the OKbefore resuming driving.
- Don’t have sex until you get the OK from your healthcare provider.
Is It Better to Lay Down or Sit Up After Gallbladder Surgery?
While it's important to let your body rest and heal after surgery, it's also important that you slowly get your body up and moving as soon as you are able to. Your healthcare team will likely ask you to get out of bed within a few hours after laparoscopic surgery or the day after open surgery.
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Diet
Coping Emotionally
It’s important to learn to take care of yourself.Reach out when you need help (both physically and emotionally).Strive to implement self-care techniques every day (such as mindfulness, meditation practice, or deep breathing/relaxation techniques).
Oncolink, a website aimed at educating patients and healthcare practitioners about cancer, recommends deep breathing exercises after gallbladder surgery; deep breathing can offer many health benefits, including:
- Helping with pain management
- Keeping the lungs healthy after anesthesia
- Promoting good drainage of lymphatic fluid
- Lending itself to relaxation and lowering stress and tension.
Close your eyes while sitting in a comfortable position, take five to 10 slow, deep breaths, relax your muscles, and slowly roll your head and shoulders.This deep breathing exercise should be done a few times each day and any time you feel tense, particularly in the first week after surgery.
Outlook After Gallbladder Surgery
Many people go on to lead normal lives without a gallbladder, but the gallbladder does help in the digestion of fatty foods.The function of the gallbladder is to store and secrete bile (a greenish-yellow substance that helps breakdown and absorb fats). Without it, you may experience bloating and gas when you eat these types of foods. For most people, however, long-term dietary changes aren't necessary.
It's estimated that around 10% to 15% of those who have had their gallbladder removed will experience post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). This is a condition where you still experience symptoms like upper abdominal pain and indigestion even after your gallbladder has been removed.
One study found that post-cholecystectomy syndrome was associated with eating cholesterol, animal protein, and eggs. The study concluded that eating vegetables did not cause negative symptoms.
Post-cholecystectomy syndrome is typically treated with adjustments to your diet. Some people may need a second surgery to relieve symptoms.
Summary
Gallbladder surgery recovery time depends on the type of procedure performed. Recovery from open gallbladder surgery may take up to six weeks, whereas surgery performed laparoscopically may take one to two weeks. During the recovery period, it's important that you follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding medications, activities, diet, and follow-up care.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Shirah BH, Shirah HA, Zafar SH, Albeladi KB. Clinical patterns of postcholecystectomy syndrome. Ann Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2018;22(1):52-57. doi:10.14701/ahbps.2018.22.1.52
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By Sherry Christiansen
Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research.
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