Gallbladder Surgery Recovery: What to Expect & Timeline

Gallbladder surgery is a commonly performed surgery. The gallbladder is a small organ that stores a digestive fluid called bile.

Reasons

• The gallbladder is removed to relieve symptoms related to gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder or pancreas.

Types

• The two types of gallbladder surgery are laparoscopic cholecystectomy and a traditional or open cholecystectomy. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less invasive involving three to four small incisions as opposed to a traditional cholecystectomy which involves a six-inch incision.

Length of Surgery

• A laparoscopic cholecystectomy or a traditional cholecystectomy each take about one to two hours to perform.

Recovery Time

• After a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, recovery time is about one week, and you can usually return to work in a few days. After a traditional cholecystectomy, recovery time is about four to six weeks, and you can usually return to work in about a week or longer.

Risks

• The risk of complications during gallbladder surgery are unlikely, but can include a bile leak, bleeding, blood clots, heart problems, infection, inflammation of the pancreas, pneumonia and damage to nearby organs. Although extremely rare, organ damage can lead to death.