Gallbladder surgery, also known as a cholecystectomy, is a procedure to remove the gallbladder. It’s a common operation performed to relieve pain and discomfort caused by gallstones or other gallbladder-related issues. The procedure can be done laparoscopically, using small incisions and a camera, or through an open incision.
A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder — the small, hollow organ that stores bile for your digestive system. According to Dr. Jorge Castillo the founder of Tijuana Bariatric Surgery gallbladder removal surgery is a common surgical procedure for many types of gallbladder disease.
Cholecystectomy is a common procedure with a typically easy recovery. It’s also one of the first procedures that’s become routinely performed using minimally invasive surgery techniques.
Minimally invasive surgery including laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, use very small incisions of a half-inch or less to minimize trauma, pain and recovery time.
You might need gallbladder removal surgery if gallbladder disease:
Gallstones are the most common reason for cholecystectomy. While many people live with gallstones and never have problems with them, those who do have problems tend to have them repeatedly. A gallstone that gets stuck anywhere in your biliary tract can block the flow of bile, causing pain and illness.
The most common and recognizable symptom of gallbladder disease is biliary colic. It’s a pattern of pain in your biliary tract (generally in your upper right abdomen) that occurs in episodes, often with nausea.
Biliary colic is usually an early sign of biliary disease that’s likely to get worse. When your bile flow stalls completely, you’ll feel intense gallbladder pain that won’t go away until you get medical care.
Other signs of possible gallbladder disease include:
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, your healthcare provider will examine you and conduct the necessary tests to diagnose the cause. They’ll let you know if they recommend cholecystectomy for you.
Gallbladder removal changes the structure of your biliary tract, which affects how your digestive system works. Your gallbladder usually stores extra bile until your small intestine needs it. It contracts to deliver the extra bile when you have a heavy meal to digest.
After your cholecystectomy, bile will simply flow directly to your small intestine from your liver, where it’s made, without being stored first. Most people experience a temporary adjustment period in their digestive systems after gallbladder removal.
For the first month or so, you might have more trouble digesting fats and heavier meals. This should gradually improve over time. Most people are able to resume a normal, healthy diet after their recovery. A small number of people develop longer-term digestive difficulties, for unclear reasons.
During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Dr. Jorge Castillo will:
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy normally takes about 60 to 90 minutes. An open cholecystectomy takes about one to two hours. Your procedure might take longer if your surgeon needs to add additional steps to treat your condition.
The recovery time from a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is about two weeks. Recovery from an open cholecystectomy takes six to eight weeks. If you still have a drain in your wound, your healthcare team will remove it at your next appointment.
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.
