How Long Before Getting Back On The Road After Gallbladder Surgery

If any drivers had gallbladder surgery how long before getting back on the road from the surgery to the road

Howdy!

My situation was unique in that my gallbladder attack mimicked a heart attack and at my age, I sure could have one. It also occurred on Christmas Day 2020 (a Fri during covid). I was visiting family when it occurred. While the emergency room was treating me for a heart attack, I had my sister-in-law call and leave a message with my company because I was due to unload the next morning about 250 mi away.

The next day the hospital realized it was a gallbladder attack and scheduled me for surgery on Sunday. Because I had become very dehydrated, the recovery from the surgery took a bit longer so I did not get out of the hospital until Tuesday the 29th. The doctor gave me a return to duty letter saying I could go back to work that Saturday. In the meantime I had talked with the office and I told them I felt good and probably could get a load and leave out on Saturday.

Fortunately, my safety lady had gallbladder surgery before and said absolutely not and they waited until the following Tuesday, January 5th to get me a load. I was driving a reefer and they got me a load of one ton totes with liquid in them. Oh my gosh! That load moved like a tanker and every time I felt it moving I clenched muscles and boy oh howdy did that ever hurt!

I would suspect you could return to duty within 7 to 10 days. It is major surgery with three to four incisions. I had four. Then you need to take it easy while you're out on the road for a couple more weeks as those areas heal.

Laura