The gallbladder is a small and pear-shaped structure found right below the liver. The gallbladder has an essential role to play in digestion. The primary purpose of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate the bile—a digestive fluid that is produced by the liver. Whenever you eat fatty food, bile from the gallbladder will be secreted in the small intestine to digest fat.
Although the gallbladder has its significance in digestion, a regular life without the organ is achievable. In case your gall bladder needs to be removed, the bile production continues in the liver and enters the body consistently instead of being stored in the gall bladder.
In what circumstance does the gallbladder need to be removed?
Gallstones are one of the most prevalent causes of gallbladder surgery.
Gallstones are those hard deposits that form in the gallbladder as a result of an imbalance in the composition of constituents that the bile is made up of.
These gallstones can be as small as sand particles or even bigger. In cases where the gallstones block the bile ducts, one experiences severe abdominal pain and nausea, among others, necessitating the need for surgery.
How will gallbladder removal surgery impact my life?
Gallbladder removal surgery affects how the bile flows in the body, as bile does not get stored in the gallbladder but is rather secreted straight from the liver into the small intestines.
Most individuals go through a period of adjustment in their digestive system following gallbladder removal surgery. You might face difficulty in digesting fats and heavy foods for the first month or two, which gradually becomes better with time.
Is Gallbladder Stone Removal (Cholecystectomy) a major surgery?
Cholecystectomy is a common surgery and is a completely safe procedure. In most people this surgery is done using small incisions, and you can go home the same day of your surgery.
Cholecystectomy is usually done by inserting a tiny video camera and special tools through several small incisions to see inside your abdomen and remove the gallbladder.
In some cases, people need open surgery, but laparoscopic is the standard.
What Steps do I need to take to prepare for gallbladder removal surgery?
You will need to adhere to the mentioned steps:
- Run lab tests to make sure you’re healthy enough for the procedure
- Refrain from consuming certain medications
- Stop consuming alcohol
- Abstain from smoking
What happens during gall bladder removal surgery?
- You’re administered general anaesthesia by the anesthetist
- The laparoscopic surgeon then makes small incisions near your belly button and your upper right abdomen
- Your abdomen is inflated with gas to create space
- A laparoscope (camera) is inserted to view the area on a monitor
- A thin tool is used to extract your gallbladder
- The gas is released; incisions are closed with stitches
For an open surgery:
Your surgeon will:
- Make a 4- to 6-inch incision under your right ribs
- Remove the gallbladder using standard surgical tools
- Place a drain, if needed, and close the incision with stitches
How long does a cholecystectomy take?
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy normally takes about 60 to 90 minutes. An open cholecystectomy takes about one to two hours.
What is the recovery time from gallbladder removal surgery?
Following is the duration for recovery for gallbladder removal surgery:
About 2 weeks: For a laparoscopic surgery
About 6-8 weeks: For an open gallbladder removal surgery
Please note, most people can return to work after one to two weeks. But if you do a lot of physical activity, you might need to modify your routine until you’re fully recovered.
Will I need to change my eating habits after gallbladder removal?
You will be recommended to take precautions after gallbladder removal. Surgery and anesthesia can affect your digestive system, and your body will need time to adapt to the change in how it gets bile. Eat simple home-cooked meals and completely refrain from smoking and drinking. You may have trouble digesting high-fiber or high-fat foods at first. Your surgeon will guide you as to when you can return to a normal, healthy eating pattern.
A note from the MI clinic
Every year thousands of people undergo successful gallbladder removal procedures, and most of them do not experience any problems or complications whatsoever. Thanks to modern surgical techniques, recovery from the procedure is easier now than it ever was before. This elective procedure is highly recommended to deal with gallbladder conditions such as gallstones because these conditions are enormously detrimental for your health.
Also Read: Gallstone: High Risk Groups, Diagnosis And Prevention Tips For Gallstones
About Dr. Vinay Shaw:
Dr. Vinay Shaw, the director of the Mi clinic, has pioneered a safe and effective hug and push technique in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
He has presented the technique at the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) and also at the World Congress of the International Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists, and Oncologists (IASGO). It has a modified critical view of the safety approach with very high success rates with almost zero complication rates.
He was encouraged with a podium presentation of the HAP technique video at the national GI surgery conference IASGCON, 2019, held at the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi