What to Expect: Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery and Recovery

October 2, 2026

If you have gallstones and your doctor has recommended gallbladder surgery, you probably have a lot of questions. You may even be a little nervous. Rest assured, gallbladder removal surgery, called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. People typically go home the same day, and most feel like themselves again within a week or two.

Here’s a look at what actually happens during surgery, what recovery looks like day-by-day and which symptoms mean it's time to call your surgeon.

"A laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is removal of the gallbladder through small incisions, is one of the most common surgeries we do in the United States," said Wm. Ross Strong, M.D., Witham Chief Medical Officer and General Surgeon. "And it's definitely the most common surgery I do. I do about 200 to 300 laparoscopic cholecystectomies every year."

What to Expect

Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is done under general anesthesia. You'll be asleep the entire time. Your surgeon starts by making a small incision near your belly button and inserting a device called a port that fills your abdomen with gas to create room to work.

A small camera and other tiny instruments, called a laparoscope, are inserted into small incisions in your abdomen. This allows your surgical team to see your gallbladder on a screen and perform the needed operation. Your surgeon then carefully separates your gallbladder from your liver and bile duct and removes it through one of the incisions. The cuts are closed with tiny stitches, staples, tape or surgical glue that doesn’t need to be removed later.

"The surgery takes about 30 to 45 minutes and you're back to work in 2 to 3 days," said Dr. Strong. "I use a special numbing medicine that lasts about 24 to 48 hours, so my patients don't require any narcotic pain medicine and they're going up and down stairs, taking a shower, and eating and drinking whatever they want within 24 hours.”

Hospital Stay

For most people, laparoscopic gallbladder removal is done on an outpatient basis. That means you’ll usually go home the same day as your surgery. You may need to spend the night if there were any complications during the procedure or if your doctor wants to monitor pain control.

Typically, before you're discharged, you'll need to show you can keep liquids down and can move around easily on your own. You'll need someone to drive you home.

Recovery Timeline

Every recovery looks a little different, but most people move through the same general stages after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. Here's what to expect in the days and weeks ahead.

First 24 hours

Expect some grogginess from anesthesia and soreness at the incision sites. You may experience some pain in one or both shoulders. This comes from the gas used to inflate your abdomen during surgery and typically goes away within a day or two. Walking as soon as you're able helps move that gas along and lowers your risk of blood clots.

First week

Nausea and fatigue are common in the first few days. You can usually shower and remove bandages the day after surgery. You should be cleared to drive again after about 24 hours, as long as you’re no longer taking narcotic pain medication. Most people generally return to normal activities within one week of laparoscopic surgery.

Return to normal activity

You should be back to your normal routine within a week of surgery. If your job is very physical or involves heavy lifting, you may need a longer recovery period. Ask your surgeon when it's safe to return to work based on what you do.

Dietary Adjustments After Gallbladder Removal

Your body can digest food perfectly well without a gallbladder. After the surgery, bile simply flows from your liver straight into your intestine instead of being stored and released in bursts. A small number of people have softer, more frequent stools after gallbladder removal, because bile now reaches their intestine more continuously. This is usually temporary.

Large or very fatty meals can be harder to digest right away. After surgery, your surgeon may recommend easing back into eating with smaller, lower-fat meals and gradually returning to a normal diet. Eating more fiber and staying well hydrated can also help regulate bowel habits as your body adjusts.

Warning Signs That Should Prompt a Call to Your Surgeon

Most people who have laparoscopic gallbladder removal don’t experience complications related to their gallbladder surgery.

Call your surgeon promptly if you experience:

A fever over 101°F
Severe or worsening pain or swelling in your abdomen
Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice)
Persistent nausea or vomiting, or an inability to eat or drink
Blood, pus, or spreading redness around any incision
Pain that isn't relieved by your prescribed medication
New breathing problems or a cough that won't go away

General Surgery at Witham

If gallstones mean gallbladder surgery is in your future, Witham's General Surgery team is ready to help close to home. Our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive gallbladder removal, with next-day consultations and no referral required. Witham makes it easy to get the expert surgical care you need, close to home.

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