Most people can resume normal activities within 7-10 days. People who have had laparoscopic gallbladder surgery have a sore throat for a week. But in 2 to 3 weeks, they will feel less discomfort than those who have open surgery. The patient may feel pain at the incision sites and in the abdomen after the surgery. They may also experience shoulder pain due to the air that is retained in the abdomen during the operation. Shoulder pain goes away within 24 to 48 hours.
The patient can take over-the-counter medicines to reduce the pain. Putting ice on the site of incision can also help. The surgeon may prescribe a small amount of medicine to help relieve the pain. Most people recover from surgery without taking any pain relievers, but some require a few days after the treatment.