Good question. I think the medical progress is tremendous. My grandfather needed weeks before he could sit up again without serious pain, and he had a scar that went all across his abdomen. I had four small incisions (the largest was about 2cm long) and was on my legs and walking around without trouble the next day. I did not even need or get serious pain medication. As long as I stayed in the hospital, the doctor looked at the incisions every day to see if there was any sign of inflammation or infection. About the only serious discomfort I had was from the gas they used to inflate my abdominal cavity; but that was not so much painful as uncomfortable.

As far as I can tell, gall bladder removal is a fairly routine procedure by now, and the risks and possible complications are well enough understood that a competent surgeon can tell after three days if the procedure went well or if there are any problems. (Also, they told me to come back immediately if I experienced any pain or fever, or the incisions appeared not to heal properly.)

I Germany, hospitals usually get flat fee per case depending on the diagnosis, so there is an incentive to release patients as soon as possible. But all the doctors and nurses I have met so far take the health of their patients very seriously, and I do not believe they would release somebody who was still in need of medical care. Plus, ethical considerations aside, that might incur legal repercussions for the hospital and the doctor ordering the release, even in Germany.