If you have been diagnosed with gallstones or a dysfunctional gallbladder, you have probably already undergone tests, such as an Abdominal Ultrasound or HIDA Scan. Your surgeon has likely explained to you that the gallbladder is an organ which aids in digestion and, once removed, its function is taken over by the liver; most people live healthy lives without the gallbladder. He or she has now recommended surgery for removal of the gallbladder.
Relax. It’s not as scary as it seems. The days are gone of the painful open gallbladder removal. More and more qualified surgeons are choosing to perform the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, instead. According to information gathered from Dr. J. M. Villafani, Board Certified General Surgeon, the lap chole is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure that allows the patient to return to normal activities in a minimal amount of time.
Risks and Complications
Any surgery is not without complications. For gallbladder surgery, these risks include indigestion, blood clots, neuroma, bleeding, injury to surrounding organs or common bile duct, and stones that may continue to develop or remain in the common bile duct.
Before Your Surgery
Watch what you eat. Fatty foods will aggravate the symptoms of right-sided upper-abdominal pain, nausea and/or vomiting. Your blood will be drawn and you may undergo a chest x-ray or other tests based on your health history. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. You may be given other instructions by your surgeon or anesthesiologist.
The Procedure
After you have been put to sleep through general anesthesia, four small incisions will be made on your abdomen: right upper side, upper middle, right mid-abdomen and another just above the navel. Your abdomen will be then be inflated with carbon dioxide gas, which will allow your surgeon to see and manipulate the instruments inside your abdominal cavity. This gas will be removed at the end of the procedure; however, some may remain, causing a feeling of being bloated and gassy for a few days after your surgery.
During the procedure, a cholangiogram (x-ray) may be used to see if there are any stones in the bile duct (the small tube connecting the gallbladder to the liver). If stones are seen, they may be removed at this time. Tiny metal clips may be used to close off the blood vessel at the base of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is then clipped and removed from the body through one of the small incisions, and the incisions are then sutured closed. Your doctor will release you to go home on the same day, usually two to three hours after your surgery, unless there were complications. He may prescribe pain medication to help you for the next few days.
Recovery Time
In most cases, you will be up and walking around the same day, and back to your normal activities in as little as two weeks. Your surgeon may ask you not to lift anything heavy for two more weeks, so that you do not re-injure any of the surgical wounds. Make sure to monitor your temperature, look for any excessive bleeding and/or unusual redness or swelling. These signs could indicate infection and your doctor should be notified immediately. Your doctor will want to see you again in his office 7-10 days after your surgery to make sure you are healing normally.
Before too long, you will be back to normal, feeling well again, and eating a normal diet.
For More Information:
Diagnosing Gallbladder Disease
Lori L. Board - Meet Lori Board. She is a married, busy mother of four; two teenagers and two adults, and grandmother of three. She has spent much of her ...
