What To Expect When You Have Your Gallbladder Removed – Your gallbladder is a small organ in the upper part of your abdomen. The abdomen is the area in the middle of your body that contains many organs, including the stomach and gallbladder.
The gallbladder collects and stores a fluid called bile, which helps your body break down food. Small, hard deposits called gallstones can form in the gallbladder. This is a common condition. If your gallstones are causing health problems, doctors may perform surgery to remove them. For example, you may need surgery if your gallbladder is no longer working properly and you are in pain. Your doctor will talk to you about this.
What To Expect When You Have Your Gallbladder Removed
In the past, doctors made a large cut (incision) in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. This is called open surgery. Today, doctors can perform this surgery with tiny instruments and only a few small cuts. This is called laparoscopic surgery, because the main instrument is called a laparoscope (say “LAP-uh-ruh-scope”). Minimally invasive surgery is a general term for surgery with these small instruments.
Tumors Of The Bile Ducts And Gallbladder
Gallstones are often the cause. These small, hard deposits form in the gallbladder. They can also enter the bile duct, which connects the gallbladder to the intestines.
You could also have gallstones if other people in your family have them. Doctors do not have a consistent way to prevent gallstones.
Your doctor will likely order a test called an ultrasound. It shows the inside of the body using sound waves. You are awake during the test and have no pain.
If you need more tests, you may have a CT scan or a test called a HIDA scan. The HIDA scan uses an injection of dye to show how well your gallbladder and bile ducts are working.
Gallbalder (human Anatomy): Picture, Function, Diseases, Tests, And Treatments
Gallbladder removal is often the best way to treat gallbladder problems. You can get some relief by changing your diet. For example, eating less fat can help. But gallstones rarely go away on their own.
You may have heard of treatments to break up gallstones or make them dissolve (dissolve). Unfortunately, these usually don’t work well.
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal might be the best option for you because it is the most common type of gallbladder surgery. It may not be an option if:
Ask your family doctor or other health care provider if this surgery is right for you. You should also speak with a surgeon who is trained and qualified to perform laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. They can help you decide.
Some Of The Common Gall (bladder) Stones
You will need a complete physical exam. You may need some tests to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery.
The surgeon who will perform the laparoscopic gallbladder surgery will discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery with you. You will then sign a form saying that you understand and agree to the transaction. Your surgeon’s office will tell you what to do and what to avoid before surgery. The exact instructions are up to your surgeon, but here are some common things to do.
You will need someone to drive you home after surgery. You will also need someone to spend the night with you. Ask your doctor or nurse how much help you may need.
You will have general anesthesia for the laparoscopic gallbladder removal. This means that you sleep during the surgery. When the surgery is complete, the surgeon closes the incisions with small stitches, staples, surgical tape, or glue. These go away as you heal, so the doctor doesn’t need to remove them later.
Symptoms Of A Gallbladder Attack
Once you are asleep, the surgeon makes an incision near your belly button and inserts a small device called a port. The port creates an opening that your surgeon can use to fill the abdomen with gas. This creates space to perform the operation. Then they insert a small camera through the port. The camera shows the surgery on a screen in the operating room. Once the surgeon can see clearly, he places more ports to insert long, narrow instruments. Finally, they gently disconnect your gallbladder and take it out through one of the incisions. Most operations require 3 or 4 incisions, but some have more.
Your surgeon may use a surgical robot to perform your operation. It is done in the same way as the previous description. Your doctor guides the robot instead of manually guiding the instruments. This is often called robotic surgery.
You may have a special x-ray of your gallbladder and bile duct during surgery. This x-ray can find gallstones in the common bile duct. If you have them, the surgeon may need to perform additional procedures during surgery. Or you may need another procedure to remove them later.
It is very important to know the training and experience of your doctor before surgery. Ask about their experience with laparoscopic gallbladder removal and open gallbladder surgery.
What Causes Gallstones?
Some people cannot undergo laparoscopic gallbladder removal. You can have open surgery if you are one of these people. Some reasons to have or switch to open surgery are:
There is no complication (problem) if your surgeon decides to switch to open surgery. They will change if open surgery is the safest option for you. Your surgeon may not know this until after the laparoscopy begins. They will use their best judgment about the safest surgery for you.
You will likely return to your normal activities within a week. Complications are problems that occur during or after medical care. Most people who have laparoscopic gallbladder surgery have few or no complications.
Complications from laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) do not occur frequently. They can include bleeding, infection in the surgical area, hernias, blood clots, and heart problems. A hernia is when a small amount of your intestine (bowel) or other tissue bulges through the muscles that cover it.
Gallstones (cholelithiasis): Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
You should also know that any surgery carries the risk of injuring other parts of the body. This is not likely, but it is possible. Gallbladder surgery may injure nearby areas, such as the common bile duct, large intestine (colon), or small intestine. You may need another surgery if this happens. It is also possible for bile to leak into the abdomen after gallbladder surgery.
Most gallbladder surgery complications are rare, meaning they almost never occur. If you are concerned about any potential complications, please consult your surgeon.
You will probably be able to go home the day of surgery, or you can spend the night in the hospital. You should be able to drink fluids before you go home.
You will have some pain after surgery. Pain at the incision sites and in the abdomen is common. You may also have shoulder pain. This is from air placed in your abdomen during the operation. Shoulder pain should go away in 24 to 48 hours.
What Happens If Gall Bladder Stones Are Left Untreated?
You can take over-the-counter pain relievers unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®) are examples of over-the-counter pain relievers. Putting ice on your incisions can also help. Ask your doctor or nurse about the correct way to use ice.
Your surgeon may prescribe a small amount of narcotic pain relievers to help with the pain. Many people recover from surgery without taking narcotic pain relievers, but some will need narcotics for a few days. If you have questions about pain after surgery, please ask your surgeon or nurses. They should be able to tell you how long the pain will last and what to expect.
You may feel sick to your stomach (nausea) or vomit (vomit) after surgery. Surgery and anesthesia can make this happen. You should feel better in a day or two. Tell your doctor or nurse if you continue to vomit or feel nauseated.
You must be as active as your body allows you. Doctors recommend walking. You may go up and down stairs on the day of your surgery. The next day, you can remove your bandages, if you have them, and shower. You can expect to feel a little better each day after you go home. If not, call your doctor.
The Cholecystectomy Diet
If you do physical work that involves heavy lifting, ask your doctor when you can return to work. You may drive 24 hours after anesthesia if you are not taking narcotic pain medications.
If you had open surgery with a large incision, you need more time to recover. You will likely need to stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery. Expect to return to your full activities in 4 to 6 weeks. You may also recover more slowly in other ways. Your doctor can tell you what to expect.
This brochure is intended to provide an overview of the surgery. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical care or a discussion between you and your surgeon regarding the need for surgery. Specific recommendations may vary among healthcare professionals. If you have any questions about your need for surgery, your alternatives, billing or insurance coverage, or the training and experience of your surgeons, please do not hesitate to ask your surgeon or his office staff. If you have any questions about the operation or subsequent follow-up,
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