For many people, their gallbladder is something they’ll never even have to think about. However, for some, it can be a great area of concern. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ lying just under the liver. Its primary function is to store the excess bile created by the liver, which is used to break down fatty foods in your diet. Unfortunately, it is possible for this process to work improperly, affecting the overall health of the patient. When this happens, it might be best to have the gallbladder removed entirely. The expert team at Arizona Premier Surgery has extensive experience in the field of gallbladder surgery. If the following information appears to pertain to you, consider scheduling an appointment at one of our offices in Chandler, Gilbert, or Scottsdale, AZ. Show
What are the signs of gallbladder issues?When the gallbladder isn’t acting as efficiently as intended, it can create a myriad of undesirable consequences due, in large part, to the thick nature of bile. A buildup of bile can create obstructions that prevent the gallbladder from being emptied. If this happens, there are many possible outcomes, the most likely of which is gallstones. Gallstones are solid deposits that can form within the bile of the gallbladder. The presence of these stones alone is not cause for concern. However, if they become stuck inside the gallbladder or within any of its biliary ducts, it can often lead to inflammation, infection, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and/or pain. Outside of gallstones, there are many other conditions that could necessitate the removal of the gallbladder, such as biliary dyskinesia, choledocholithiasis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis. Common signs and symptoms that could signify the need to have your gallbladder removed can include:
How is the gallbladder removed?At Arizona Premier Surgery, we can perform what is known as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for our patients in Chandler, Gilbert, and Scottsdale, AZ. This is a minimally invasive procedure that involves one of our experienced surgeons making four small incisions along the abdomen. These incisions are then used in order to insert a laparoscope — as well as other specialized equipment — toward the abdomen. The abdomen is pumped with gas, causing it to inflate and giving the surgeon much more room to operate. During the procedure, our team will use a camera and monitor to easily navigate and operate on the gallbladder. Once it has been removed, we will take a collection of X-rays to ensure any remaining bile or gallstones are not causing blockages. The recovery time from laparoscopic cholecystectomy is relatively fast, with most patients being able to return to feeling like their normal self within only a week of the procedure. Put your health firstAn inflamed or diseased gallbladder is nothing to take lightly. If you’ve experienced any of the aforementioned symptoms, consider scheduling an appointment at Arizona Premier Surgery today. We have offices in Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Chandler, AZ, each of with is staffed with an expert team of general surgeons, assistants, and administrators in order to provide the highest possible level of care. Contact us today! Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as a cholecystectomy, is a very common procedure. The gallbladder is a small, pouch-like organ in the upper right part of your tummy. It stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fatty foods. You don't need a gallbladder, so surgery to take it out is often recommended if you develop
any problems with it. Surgery to remove the gallbladder is usually carried out if you have painful gallstones. These are small stones that can form in the gallbladder as a result of an imbalance in the substances that make up bile. Gallstones
often cause no symptoms and you may not realise you have them, but occasionally they can block the flow of bile and irritate the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis) or pancreas (acute pancreatitis). This can cause symptoms such as:
Surgery to remove the gallbladder is the most effective treatment in the vast majority of cases. What happens during gallbladder removal surgeryThere are 2 main ways of removing a gallbladder:
Keyhole surgery is used most often because you can leave hospital sooner, recover faster and are left with smaller scars than with an open procedure. Both techniques are performed under general anaesthetic, which means you'll be asleep during the operation and won't feel any pain while it's carried out. Find out more about how gallbladder removal surgery is performed Recovering from gallbladder removal surgeryIt doesn't usually take long to recover from keyhole surgery to remove your gallbladder. Most people can leave hospital the same day or the next morning. You'll probably be able to return to most of your normal activities within 2 weeks. It takes longer to recover from open surgery. You may need to stay in hospital for 3 to 5 days and it could be 6 to 8 weeks before you're feeling back to normal. Find out more about recovering from gallbladder removal surgery Living without a gallbladderYou can lead a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder. Your liver will still make enough bile to digest your food, but instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it drips continuously into your digestive system. You may have been advised to eat a special diet before surgery, but this doesn't need to be continued afterwards. Instead, you should aim to have a generally healthy, balanced diet. Some people experience problems such as bloating or diarrhoea after surgery, although this usually improves within a few weeks. If you notice certain foods or drinks trigger these symptoms, you may wish to avoid them in the future. Find out more about diet after gallbladder surgery Risks of gallbladder removal surgeryGallbladder removal surgery is considered to be a safe procedure, but, like any type of surgery, there's a risk of complications. Possible complications include:
Speak to your surgeon about the benefits and risks of surgery before your operation. Find out more about the complications of gallbladder removal surgery Page last reviewed: 08 December 2021 How you know if your gallbladder needs to be removed?You may need gallbladder surgery if you have pain or other symptoms caused by gallstones — small stones that can form in the gallbladder. They can block the flow of bile and irritate the gallbladder. Common symptoms of gallbladder problems include: Indigestion, with bloating, heartburn, and gas.
How do you know if your gallbladder is giving you problems?Symptoms. Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen.. Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone.. Back pain between your shoulder blades.. Pain in your right shoulder.. Nausea or vomiting.. What happens if you don't get your gallbladder removed?Gallbladder problems left untreated can turn into medical issues including inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, bile duct or pancreas. If the gallstones become lodged and block a duct, you can become jaundice.
What is the most common reason to have your gallbladder removed?Gallstones are the most common reason for gallbladder removal surgery. Gallstones are small, pebble-like substances that form in the gallbladder. They develop when bile contains too much cholesterol or salt and becomes solid.
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