How Long Does It Take to Recover From Gallbladder Surgery?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 12, 2020

A full recovery from traditional gallbladder removal surgery, or open cholecystectomy, is four to six weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic. In contrast, typical recovery from the less invasive laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is about seven to 10 days, according to WebMD.

After an open procedure, patients spend two or three days in the hospital, according to the Mayo Clinic. After laparascopic surgery, the patient often is able to go home the same day. However, some patients may spend one or two days in the hospital if their condition requires it. While the laparascopic surgery has a faster recovery time, WebMD points out that surgeons sometimes have to switch to an open surgery because of inflammation, scars or other unexpected issues.