My Mum has just had a gallstone removed from her small intestine. She is 86 but has come round from the op very quickly and is back on a normal ward Does anyone know how long she will be in hospital and how long before she can drive again. She is very independent and hates to be housebound.
Hi wow 86 and driving fantastic.
i think your specialist will be the best to give advice .
If it was key hole . You leave hospital on the day or next day . But.
Your mums age may affect the times.
but I was told 6 weeks to drive as although you could drive ok you would find it hard to apply an emergency brake with your weakened abdominal muscles due to the incisions..
i would quiz the surgeon with regards to mums age he may presume wrongly that she isn't independant you need to explain her situation and character. And she will get a new lease of life in a few weeks time when she heals and is no longer suffering gall bladder symptoms. She will be a spring chicken again 
thanks for your reply. It wasn't key hole but we were told she would be in ITU for at least 24 hours and that didn't happen. She is only on plain water at the moment and on intravenous pain killers . She'll just have to slow down for a few weeks. What you said about the emergency stop is very important. We have use of a private road where I can fully check her when the time comes.
We'll done Mum! As the Lady is 86 she may need a little longer to recouperate wound assessment etc and tiredness which comes with most ops..reactions to anaesthetics..so for this op I would wait until follow up clinc at least if there is an appointment. Otherwise depends on how Mum feels really ?
It's longer if it's not keyhole .
Cant be sure but think it's 3 months before you can lift drive etc....
they will give you all the info when they discharge your mum.
It's a large scar if it's not keyhole .
You may have to sit on her for a while you snot want her to have complications .
I am sure her body will tell her or let her know how much to do.
Hope she recovers well sounds like she will .
She will feel tired post operatively! Especially at 86 was this an emergency? Normally they would leave well alone at that age..common sense really everyone is different! I would wait til she is given the all clear at the follow up.
Yes it was an emergency with a total blockage so it had to be done quickly. As the surgeon said, there was no choice. They did expect her to be in ITU for a couple of days but she was awake and lucid a couple of hours later and after a night in HDU she was moved to an ordinary ward. She showed me her dressing, scar is from her stomach to navel. No more bikinis!!
Aww she doing well give her my regards...xx