Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder Disease

What is a Gall Bladder?

A gall bladder is an organ attached to the underside of your liver. It stores bile, produced in the liver and releases it into the small intestine when fatty foods are eaten. Bile helps the body in breakdown of fatty foods, adding in the digestive process.

Sometimes gallbladder can become diseased, or gallstones may form. Gallstones, which are crystallized bile, are the result of chemical imbalances. While some gallstones have no noticeable symptoms, more often they are the cause of pain and other problems.

What is the treatment options of gall stones?

The only option of gall stones is the surgery (removal of gall bladder along with stones). Surgery either be done by open or laparoscopic technique (conventional, mini or micro).

TYPES OF GALL BLADDER SURGERY OPEN SURGERY LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY MICRO LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLE

Hospital stay 4-7 days Usually 24 hrs. Usually <24 hrs.

Recovery Times 20-40 days 2-5 days Less than 1-2 days

Scarring 7 inch Scar 3-4 small marks 3-4 insignificat scar marks

Post-op Pain Significant Minimal Insignificant

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy i.e. removal of gall bladder with laparoscope also called as “Lap chole” is a GOLD STANDARD, effective, with speedy recovery and excellent cosmetic result.

Are you a candidate for Lap. Chole.?

Most patients with gall bladder disease can be treated with the lap chole procedure; however, a thorough evaluation by your physician and a surgeon trained in laparoscopy is the best way to determine whether the procedure is right for you.

The following instruction is for your information and help:

You will feel sleepy immediately after operation due to anaesthesia and sedation.
After the operation, you will be in recovery room for sometimes for the observation and the decision of your shifting to the room depends on many technical factors.
In the immediately post operative period you may feel nausea and may even vomit few times, which should not cause any worry.
You are generally allowed to have liquids by mouth about 6 hours after the operation, soft diet on next day morning at breakfast and normal home cooked meals on second day.
The most important aspect of food is the quantity which should be small at a time. The only insistence is that the intake should be divided in the form of small, frequent meals.
You should try to move the limbs and can sit up immediately after operation. You should also go to the toilet or your own. There are no restrictions whatsoever for the physical movement. In fact majority of the patients will feel much better after they have started the movement. The pain also dramatically reduces once you start moving\walking.
Usually you will be discharge on the next day of operation and are advised to come again after 6-7 days for the follow-up. You are also advised to take bath if the dressings are waterproof.