Gallbladder Surgery Your gallbladder is a small bulb-like organ located just below the right side of your liver. As your liver produces the digestive liquid called bile, it flows into the gall bladder where it is concentrated and stored. Bile is used in fat digestion. Most doctors agree that the gallbladder was more necessary in ancient times, when humans ate much more fat than we do today.
Gall bladder problems are, unfortunately, quite common. They are usually caused by the bile salts in the gallbladder turning into hard masses that we call gallstones. Gallstones can block the flow of bile out of the gallbladder or even obstruct the common bile duct. The result is swelling of the gallbladder, pain, and sometimes infection. Fortunately, we don't really need our gallbladder, and removing it provides relief from gallstone formation. Without a gallbladder, the bile flows directly into the digestive system, and in most cases, people do not even need to make dietary changes after surgery. If discomfort does occur, reducing the amount of fat in your diet usually cures the problem. Laparoscopic CholecystectomyLaparoscopic removal of the gallbladder is called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is a minimally invasive procedure and one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep through the entire surgery. During the operation, Dr. Bagnato will make four small incisions to insert the laparoscopic instruments into your abdomen and remove your gall bladder. In most cases, the operation takes about an hour. You will usually leave the hospital within 24 hours. Because the procedure is minimally invasive, there is usually less discomfort and a faster return to normal activity than is typical after a traditional open cholecystectomy. |