If you’re scheduled to have your gallbladder removed, you might be wondering what to expect on the day of your surgery and during recovery. The good news is that this is a routine, safe and straightforward procedure. Dr Richard Babor takes you through a step-by-step guide to help you feel prepared and reassured.
The day of surgery
You’ll arrive at the hospital on the morning of your operation, where our nursing team will check you in and ensure you’re ready for surgery. Gallbladder removal, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour.
During the procedure, we make four small incisions to insert a camera and surgical instruments. This allows us to carefully remove the gallbladder with minimal impact on surrounding tissue. Once the surgery is complete, you’ll be gently woken up in the recovery room.
Immediate recovery in hospital
As you wake up, you’ll be monitored closely in the recovery room. Once you’re fully awake—typically within an hour or two—you’ll move to the ward. At this point, you should be able to move around freely, communicate independently, and even have something to eat.
We generally recommend staying in the hospital overnight. While many patients feel comfortable quickly, the first 12 to 24 hours are when some may need stronger pain relief, and it’s best to have medical support on hand if necessary. Almost everyone is ready to go home the next morning.
Recovery at home
Once you’re discharged, you’ll likely need only mild painkillers for a few days. The small dressings covering your incisions usually come off after about a week. Most patients feel well enough to drive within two days of surgery. While we advise taking a week off work, many people feel ready to return sooner—it’s best to listen to your body and allow yourself the time you need to recover.
Follow-up and final results
After your surgery, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment within a week or two. By then, we’ll have lab results from your gallbladder analysis. In most cases, this confirms mild inflammation, and no further treatment is needed. At that point, we can usually say goodbye, knowing you’re on the path to a full recovery.
If you have any questions or concerns about gallbladder removal, our team is here to help. Feel free to contact us for more information or to discuss your specific situation.
