Gallbladder Surgery

What is gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy)?

Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is a common procedure to remove your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located just below your liver that stores bile, a digestive fluid. This surgery is often recommended when gallstones or other gallbladder conditions cause pain, infections, or complications.

This procedure is minimally invasive and is preferred because it results in a faster recovery and less post-operative pain compared to open surgery.

Why might you need a cholecystectomy?

Your doctor may recommend gallbladder removal surgery if you have any of the following conditions:

• Gallstones: Hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can cause pain, block bile ducts, or lead to infections.
• Cholecystitis: Inflammation of the gallbladder, often due to gallstones.
• Biliary colic: Severe pain caused by gallstones temporarily blocking the gallbladder or bile ducts.
• Gallbladder polyps: Growths inside the gallbladder, which may rarely become cancerous.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas caused by gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct.

If you’re experiencing pain, infections, or complications related to gallstones or other gallbladder conditions, removing the gallbladder can prevent further issues and improve your quality of life.

Preparing for cholecystectomy

Before your surgery, you will undergo a series of assessments to ensure the procedure is safe and effective for you. This may include:

• Blood tests: To check your overall health and liver function.
• Imaging scans: Such as an ultrasound or MRI to examine your gallbladder and bile ducts.
• Pre-operative consultation: To review your medical history and discuss the procedure in detail.

You will need to fast for several hours before the surgery. It is also important to let your doctor know about any medications you are taking, particularly blood thinners, as these may need to be temporarily stopped to reduce the risk of bleeding.

What does cholecystectomy involve?

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is performed under general anaesthesia and usually takes about 1-2 hours. Here’s what to expect:

• Small incisions: The surgeon makes 3-4 small cuts in your abdomen.
• Inserting the laparoscope: A thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) is inserted through one incision to provide a clear view of your abdomen.
• Removing the gallbladder: Special surgical instruments are used to carefully remove your gallbladder through one of the small incisions.

This minimally invasive approach typically results in smaller scars, less pain, and a quicker recovery compared to open surgery. Most patients can go home the same day, though some may need to stay overnight.

What are the potential risks and complications of cholecystectomy?

Gallbladder removal surgery is generally safe, but like any procedure, there are some risks. These include:

• Infection: At the incision sites.
• Bile leakage: Into the abdomen.
• Injury: To the bile ducts, liver, or intestines.
• Blood clots or bleeding
• Post-cholecystectomy syndrome: Persistent digestive symptoms after surgery.

Your surgeon will discuss these risks with you beforehand.

Recovery after cholecystectomy

Recovery times vary, but most people who have laparoscopic surgery can return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks. Here’s what to expect during recovery:

• Incision discomfort: You may feel some soreness at the small incision sites.
• Shoulder pain: Caused by the gas used to inflate your abdomen during surgery, this should resolve within a few days.
• Fatigue: It’s normal to feel tired for a few days as your body recovers from anaesthesia.

Your doctor will provide pain relief medication and specific aftercare instructions. Light activities, such as walking, are encouraged to aid recovery and prevent complications like blood clots. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for 4-6 weeks.

Diet after cholecystectomy

Your gallbladder stores bile, which helps digest fats, but you can live without it. After surgery, your digestion may temporarily change. Some people experience:

• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Indigestion, especially after eating fatty or spicy foods

These symptoms usually improve over time. To help your body adjust, eat smaller, more frequent meals and gradually reintroduce certain fatty, or spicy foods into your diet.