Recovering From Surgery Solo
Not Recovering Well Or Quickly From Surgery — My Gallbladder Recovery One Month Later
Hi, I'm April from April On Her Own ~ Later In Life. This is a raw, honest update on what happened after the gallbladder surgery I fought for years and finally had a month ago. I went into the operation expecting the usual—some pain, a few days to recover—but what I didn't expect was how much the physical, emotional, and practical pieces would collide and tip me into a dark, exhausted place. If you're facing surgery, especially as a woman over 50 living alone, I want to share what I learned and what I wish I'd done differently.
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How I got here
I first had gallbladder attacks in my early twenties and lived with them for years. In my forties I finally figured out the cause. Even then, I resisted surgery because when the gallbladder worked it worked—when it didn't, it was brutal. I eventually had laparoscopic surgery. Physically the incisions were small and healed quickly, but the aftermath has been harder than I expected.
The first few days: pain, stopping pain meds, and the little victories
The immediate post-op period went as you might expect for laparoscopic surgery: soreness and some pain. I stopped taking prescription painkillers within a few days because I don't want to be medicated into overdoing things. For me, pain meds can lead to pushing myself too hard while masked by medication, so I tried to taper off quickly.
What blindsided me: fatigue and naps
What I was not prepared for was the exhaustion that lingered a month on. I'm not a napper. I rarely nap. Yet lately I find myself collapsing into naps—two hours some days—and then sleeping fine at night. The fatigue is deep, and it’s changed how I feel about my days.
Mental health: when everything else is fine but you still struggle
One of the hardest parts of this has been the mental fallout. I pride myself on being resilient and have overcome a lot in my life. Still, when my energy drops and I'm not accomplishing what I expect, old negative thoughts resurface:
"What's the point? Why is life so hard?"
Those kinds of questions used to be frequent for me, and though they don't dominate my life now, this episode brought them back. Combine fatigue, isolation (I'm an introvert who lives alone), and unexpected physical symptoms, and it becomes easy to spiral.
Digestive surprises: attacks even without a gallbladder
Doctors often tell you many people return to normal eating after having a gallbladder removed—but that hasn't been my experience. In the month since surgery I've had two episodes that felt like gallbladder attacks: intense pain, nausea, vomiting. Clearly the gallbladder itself wasn't the entire story.
Symptoms I continue to experience:
Intense abdominal/gas pains
Bloating and indigestion
Belching and discomfort even when I haven't eaten
These symptoms forced me to pay attention to my diet in a way I wasn't expecting. Food has been a major source of comfort in my life, and now I have to relearn how to use it without triggering attacks.
Practical choices I regret: recovering solo when I live alone
If you live on your own, hear me loud and clear: accept help. I wish I had. I stayed at a friend's the night after surgery and for a potluck a week later, and those moments of connection were healing. But most of the time I came home, tried to rest on my own, and went back to work after about five days. In hindsight I could have used more time and more company.
Take more time off work than you think you need.
Stay with a friend or have someone stay with you for several days.
Arrange help for chores and errands—moving a trailer or leveling an RV is not something to tackle right after surgery.
My introvert brain: connection helps, but energy limits it
There's a tension in me: connection restores me, but extended social time drains me. I enjoyed tubing with an older couple in my park—they made me laugh and felt soothing—but afterwards my energy was wiped out. If you relate, know that socializing can help emotionally, but plan it in bite-sized doses and make sure you have recovery time afterward.
Scars, allergic reaction to skin prep, and incision healing
I had four small laparoscopic entry points plus residual marks from an earlier appendix surgery. The incisions are tiny and healed quickly, but I had some unexpected reactions:
A rash above my belly button from something used to clean my skin pre-op—this surprised me and was uncomfortable.
One scar at the top where the gallbladder was removed has been more sensitive and a bit larger-looking as it heals.
Bruising that faded fast and smaller puncture marks that should mostly disappear over time.
For anyone worried about scarring: laparoscopic scars are small, and many fade significantly. If you are sensitive to skin prep or antiseptics, mention this to your care team beforehand.
What I'm trying now (and what you might try)
I've started experimenting with digestive enzymes and paying close attention to food triggers. I'm not a medical professional, so if you read this, please run things by your doctor. A few practical steps that have helped or are worth trying:
Keep a food diary to identify triggers for bloating and pain.
Try digestive enzymes or probiotics, but consult your physician first.
Prioritize rest—schedule naps if you need them and accept that your energy may be limited for weeks.
Ask for help and accept it. Practical assistance (meals, errands, someone to stay with you) makes a real difference.
If symptoms persist or you have severe pain, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
Resources and support
If you're recovering alone, reach out to friends, neighbors, or local support groups. Mental health support during a recovery period is normal and appropriate—there's no shame in asking for it. Sharing stories with other women over 50 who are navigating similar health issues can also be comforting and practical.
Conclusion — I'm still healing, and so are you
One month out from surgery I'm doing the best I can. I still have symptoms that surprise and frustrate me—gas pains, bloating, and the odd "attack"—and my energy levels are lower than anything I've experienced before. That combination pushed me into a familiar but unwelcome mental health place. I've always been resilient, and I believe I'll come through this, but I'm learning to be kinder to myself along the way.
"If you're going to have surgery, make sure that you're with friends. Don't do what I did."
If you've had gallbladder surgery (or any surgery) and struggled with energy, digestion, or mental health afterwards, please share your experience. I want to connect with other women dealing with this—especially those of us navigating recovery later in life and often on our own.
For more tips and resources, check out:
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