Am due to have my gall bladder removed (hopefully by keyhole surgery) a month before our summer camping trip in mid-July which has been booked for months. Obviously will get medical advice but would be useful to know from anyone who has had this whether I am likely to be in a fit state to help pitch the tent and sleep on the floor? Kids will be devastated if we don't gocamping this summer so was wondering if we should postpone trip for a couple of weeks - means we won't be able to meet up with their cousins as planned but would be better then no trip at all. Main concern is if we leave it til after I've had the op to decide when to go, we won't get into the campsite as it will be high season (and living in Scotland kids go back to school mid-August which doesn't leave us much time.)
------------- Rachel
Sept 07 - Middle Woodbatch Farm
Aug 08 - Langdale / Middle Woodbatch Farm
July 09 - Camusdarach / Auchindarach
April 10 - Hadrian's Wall
May 11 - Drumroamin
July 11 - Drumroamin
July 12 - Drumroamin
July 14 - Sands,Gairloch
August 14 - Drumroamin
I would say a month is plenty - a couple of weeks should do it as long as it's all straightforward, as long as you were careful about lifting etc. I had this done about 12 years ago and I did find I tried to overdo things after the first week cos I felt fine, but tired very quickly. I was back at work by a month though - a very physical and demanding job at the time too.
I had the same op by keyhole surgery plus a hernia op & I were ok within a fortnight. Although I did lay off any heavy lifting for about a month. Never had any problems since so you should be ok.
I`m waiting for the same op, I was told about 6 to 8 weeks for the op leaving 6 to 8 weeks time for recovery for hols in mid June. Phoned hospital appointments and now told 3 to 4 months before op. First went to the Dr`s Oct.6th 2009
I had my gallbladder removed on 29th march this year, I did go to london two weeks after but to be fair I was very tired, I got an infection in one of my wounds so took longer to heal but I felt completely back to normal after 4 weeks. I went away bank holiday weekend and put my large tent up no trouble and felt fine laying down on the ground [that was 5 weeks after keyhole surgery]
good luck with your operation,and take it easy
p.s get some peppermint cordial in, I was given it in hospital and its great for the gas they insert, also get some nighties to wear pj's sit on all the cuts.
------------- kelly x
MARCH - LINCOLNSHIRE
APRIL - SCARBOROUGH
MAY - LINCS
MAY/JUNE - FRANCE / newquay
JULY - WEYMOUTH
SEPTEMBER - SCARBOROUGH
You shouldn't be lifting untill 4-6 weeks after your op and if your driving you need to check with your car insurer as you need to safely be able to perform an emergency stop! Bear in mind it may have to be an open procedure then recovery is longer :(
I had this done as an open procedure 3 years ago and after was out of action for 10 weeks. Even then found it difficult for an extra few weeks picking up my children, so tent pitching would have been completely out of the question. Hope everything goes well for you.
This is the most up to date information on post op recovery times, including most recent research: Fitness after Surgery
Look for Cholecystectomy - laparoscopic, about half way down the page. The sooner you get back back to normal, the smoother your recovery will be. Even after an open procedure, you would be OK to go away as long as you took it easy with the heavy manual stuff.
Had mine done 18 years ago (where the hell does the time go???) at the ripe old age of 35.
Having never been in hospital before I was not a happy bunny, but on going into the ward I passed an old chap leaving who had had it done keyhole a couple of days earlier, looking great and carrying his holdall. `Great, I`ll have some of that!`, thought I, having been told that I should be fine for keyhole.
On waking up I had a huge plaster across my lower chest (didn`t seem right....) and found that keyhole was a no-no, the gall-bladder had been infected and adhered to my liver, meaning a major and lengthy op.
Even so, I was out in 10 days, driving in four weeks ( I did drive after three to get the OHs xmas present, but wasn`t too clever), back at work in 6 weeks.
Whatever, its a routine op now, a huge number are done by keyhole and they are getting even better at it, and if you have suffered ( i had to be hospitalised three times whilst waiting for the op), it will be such a relief to get it done and lead a normal life again. As long as you don`t do `owt daft you should be fine. and you have the best time of year to convalesce!
I had mine removed 7 years ago and went on holiday 4 days later,i can remember not being able to do my own shoes from all the gas in my tummy lol.I did hire a wheel chair as it was Devon and very hilly,As people have commented you do tire more easily.
My friend has hers done about 3 months ago and she was in a lot of pain for 7 days but couldn't beleive how great she felt within a fortnight not even a paracetomal needed.
Just shows were all differant Goodluck.
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Karla-------Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Both my daughter (then 25)and I (then 48) had gallbladder ops 6 months after each other. She had the full op as she was pregnant and they thought it was indigestion so her diagnosis was after she had her baby and she was quite poorly. In hospital 2 weeks and the recovery was a least 8 weeks. Mine was keyhole and I was out next day. Felt slightly sick on coming round but they had a drip ready and that sorted that. Inside you have had as big an op as when you have the large cut so that does take 6 weeks to heal, on the outside you only have three tiny marks so that side of things heals quicker. I ensured I did not reach up, lift or do anything strenuous for the suggested 6 weeks. Hospital staff know what they are talking about and if you do too much too soon you will set back full recovery. It did get exasperating not doing things quickly and remembering to bend slowly and especially at first gently lifting your upper body up when getting up in the morning. If your OH can manage on his own with you doing very minor tasks you could be fine after 4 weeks to go camping but be careful getting up off the lilo - get OH to help you up. When you start to drive again is when as said you can do an emergency stop without pulling anything and be careful with your seat belt. I actually enjoyed the time off work and being waited on. I didn't have young children where it is more difficult getting that time.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Recovery time from Gall Bladder op?
Fingers crossed operation is on schedule....
