Gallbladder Removal

In acute or severe cases of gallbladder disease, cancer or other related conditions, it may be necessary to take it out. Gallbladder removal is not an uncommon procedure and is generally a safe treatment, but there are some things that every patient should know before any surgical procedure is performed. This includes the proper preparation for the surgery and the risks that may be involved.  

Doctors will decide whether or not a complete   is necessary based on the severity of the symptoms and number of gallstones that have been formed in the organ. In cases where the gallbladder causes severe attacks of pain in the side under the rib cage or between the shoulder blades or constant diarrhea then the doctor will opt for the removal. The same goes for when you have many gallstones which can, even if dormant now, can cause a lot of trouble later on. 

Once the decision has been made to have the gallbladder removed, then you will have to do some things in advance to reduce risks and make the procedure go as smoothly as possible. A week before the actual gallbladder removal you will have to stop using painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen. The doctor will remind you of this and it is also best to ask for permission before taking any OTC drugs. The day before the surgery is scheduled you will have to get a good night’s sleep. The doctor will also determine when you should stop eating food and drinking before the procedure takes place.  

There are two different ways that the gallbladder removal is done. The one is known as an Open Cholecystectomy and here a large incision under the rib cage is made. The procedure lasts one or two hours and requires a hospital stay of up to five days. The other is Laparroscopic Cholecystectomy and only four very small incisions are made. It takes up to a couple of hours to complete, but for that you may not even have to stay in the hospital overnight. After surgery the risks include infection of the incision area, fever and bleeding.