Cholecystectomy - Laparoscopic and Open Techniques

Boise - Caldwell

Gallstone and Gallbladder Removal

If you've ever had a problem with your gallbladder, you're not alone. Harvard Health reports that as many as a million Americans have their gallbladder removed due to cholecystitis or the presence of gallstones each year. Pain from the gallbladder occurs in the upper portion of the abdomen, is one of the worst types of stomach aches you could ever experience, and can require urgent removal. Surprisingly, in some instances, gallstones do not cause symptoms that require treatment at all. When there is an issue with the gallbladder, a procedure to remove the gallbladder, known as a cholecystectomy, can be performed.

Cholecystectomy - Laparoscopic and Open Surgery | Digestive General Surgery

This article will give an overview of what you need to know about gallstones, gallbladder removal, the difference between laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy, and recovery.

What is a Gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is the small, pear-shaped organ situated beneath your liver—this hollow organ stores bile, which is the fluid that helps you digest your food.

What Is a Gallstone?

If your gallbladder fails to function correctly, the bile can become unbalanced, which leads to hard fragments forming. These fragments can range in size from a tiny grain of rice to as large as a golf ball, causing excruciating pain. Gallstones consist of bits of digestive fluid that solidify in your gallbladder. They may be caused by high cholesterol, high bilirubin, or a gallbladder that does not empty properly. Depending on the amount of digestive fluid involved, you may experience one or several gallstones at a time. Although gallstones do not always cause symptoms, they are often characterized by a sudden, sharp pain in your abdomen, back, or right shoulder that may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or a high fever.

What is the Treatment Option for Gallstones?

Minor gallstones that do not cause pain or other symptoms usually will not need treatment and may never be noticed at all. However, you have two main options for treating painful gallstones that disrupt your life:

Medication

Certain medications can be used to dissolve gallstones, but they can take a long time to work and may not always work at all, especially for severe gallstones. In most cases, gallbladder removal surgery is your best option for removing painful gallstones.

Open or Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Gallstone/Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as a cholecystectomy, is a relatively simple procedure. It can be performed traditionally with a large incision (known as open cholecystectomy) or with four small incisions and a camera (known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The latter of the two procedures is much more common since it is least disruptive to the body and therefore allows for quicker healing. With either approach, the gallbladder and any included gallstones are removed from the body.

What Diagnoses Besides Gallstones Can Be Treated by Gallbladder Removal Surgery?

There are a few other reasons your general surgeon may recommend having your gallbladder removed. For instance, cholecystectomy can be used to treat the following conditions:

Cholecystectomy - Laparoscopic and Open Surgery | Digestive General Surgery
  • Gallbladder Cancer - people who have a history of gallstones, are at increased risk of gallbladder cancer.
  • Inflammation of the Gallbladder - this can be caused by eating certain foods, tumors, excessive alcohol use, or infection.
  • Inflammation of the Pancreas - known as pancreatitis - this condition can be caused by excess alcohol, gallstones, drugs, infection, and high levels of fat in the blood.

What Happens During Gallstone and Gallbladder Removal Surgery?

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery tends to be somewhat more straightforward than many other surgeries since small incisions are used. Most surgeons prefer a laparoscopic approach for a cholecystectomy. Since smaller incisions are used, it reduces the risk for bleeding, infection, and the time needed for recovery.

During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon makes extremely thin incisions in your abdomen. Then, they place a trocar through your abdomen for accessing your gallbladder. Long tools and telescopic cameras are used for reaching and removing your gallbladder.

What is the Recovery like for Gallbladder Removal?

Inpatient or Outpatient

After the surgeon has stitched up the incisions from your laparoscopic cholecystectomy, you'll be taken to a recovery room while your anesthesia wears off. You will often be allowed to go home the same day and can expect to fully recover within about a week.

If you were treated with open cholecystectomy, you could expect to stay two to three days in the hospital and have a four to six-week recovery period since you'll have a larger incision. Although there are few risks involved with this procedure, you will need to watch for signs of infection, severe bleeding, and bile leakage during your recovery.

Wound Care and Showers

You'll need to keep the wounds on your abdomen clean. Showers are permitted once the bandages can be removed.

Diet

Consume a balanced, healthy diet, including fiber-rich foods for keeping your bowels moving regularly. To avoid constipation, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Exercising and Driving

You should be able to easily move around the day following your procedure, feeling minimal pain, although you'll probably feel some soreness.

Walk as much as possible, but don't lift anything that could injure your wound. Check with your doctor for specific instructions. Most people can drive and resume their normal activities within a week of their laparoscopic surgery.

Cholecystectomy - Laparoscopic and Open Surgery | Digestive General Surgery

Other Considerations

  • Fortunately, most people who've had a cholecystectomy can live healthy lives without their gallbladders.
  • After the gallbladder has been removed, bile directly flows from the liver into the small intestine instead of being stored in the gallbladder.
  • Thus, you can have normal digestion following a cholecystectomy.

Why Choose Dr. Daniel Gay for This Procedure?

Dr. Gay believes in treating people how they would like to be treated, applying the Golden Rule. He creates a partnership with each patient, stressing the importance of health education, along with an individualized approach. Don't continue to suffer from gallbladder problems.

Cholecystectomy - Laparoscopic and Open Surgery | Digestive General Surgery

Dr. Daniel Gay specializes in laparoscopic surgery, which makes the recovery process much easier for his patients. His extensive expertise in laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy has made him one of the top Boise surgeons for this procedure. Contact Dr. Daniel Gay today with any concerns you have about gallstone removal or to schedule an appointment!

Dr. Daniel Gay's Robotic Surgery YouTube Channel

See how the da Vinci Si platform assists Dr. Daniel Gay in his surgical procedures by checking out the YouTube videos below! Click on the thumbnail for any of the procedures listed below to be directed to a YouTube video for the procedure. Warning: Images may be graphic.

We Accept All Major Insurance Carriers:

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Testimonials

Patient Testimonials

Rating
5.0
83
reviews
chris brooksby
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Gay and his whole team, everyone I dealt with was very friendly and took lots of time to explain everything and make me feel comfortable with the procedure that I had scheduled. Additionally Dr. Gay spent a lot of time going over how the surgery had gone with me on my follow up appointment-I never felt like he was trying to say a few things then push me out the door so he could move on to the next patient as I have felt in other doctors offices in the past. That all being said I can’t recommend Dr. Gay and his team enough, they are fantastic! I hope I never need their services again, but if I do I know I’ll be in good hands.
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Dan Rueb
Dr. Daniel Gay is a likeable, friendly surgeon who took his time with me to answer my questions in a patient, thorough manner, explaining my options, & who offered his surgical services at the Nampa St. Luke's Hospital. I highly recommend him.
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Kelly Dawson
10 out of 10!!!! Dr. Gay and Sarah are such a beautiful blessing. I had been having intense symptoms of suspected gallbladder issues for months, but all testing was coming back normal. Because tests were coming back normal, my PCP couldn't get a surgeon to even talk to me. On month 3, she finally reached out to Dr. Gay who was graciously open to having a discussion with me and got me in quickly. He spent so much time explaining things to me & my husband in so much detail. I could immediately tell he genuinely cares for his patients, his practice, and the level of care that is provided. His standards of excellence are high. It felt so good to finally be heard. I had been suffering 4 months of intense gallbladder attacks 1-2 times a week with 2 ER visits. It was completely debilitating. After completing additional testing (which all came back normal), and my attacks becoming more intense and frequent, Dr. Gay agreed to proceed with removing my gallbladder. During the removal he found TWO gallstones that were causing the issue. It was amazing how quickly I started to feel human again. Sarah is an incredibly reliable and personable MA who took care of all my FMLA paperwork like a champ. I didn’t have to worry about a thing. Dr. Gay is such an amazing doctor (a wonderful human) and so down to earth that I felt comfortable with him right away. I have so much gratitude that he was my surgeon. You're doing great work Doc ... keep it up.
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Emily Richcreek
Appreciative of the office and staff, as well as Dr. Daniel Gay himself. Dr. Gay took time to listen and trust me as a patient and that what I was going through was legitimate. Between normal labs, scans, and tests, Dr. Gay took the time to trust what I was feeling and made an important medical decision; which greatly improved my health. In doing so I’m now pain free and feeling amazing. To the office and Dr. Gay himself, thank you for listening and thank you for the wonderful care you provided me. Also this office is amazing with children! Had my pre-k shadow tripping at my feet the whole time. They did amazing keeping him occupied and loaded on suckers. They’re all amazing.
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Glenn Mabey
Did a fine job
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Stewart Galbraith
Referred to Dr. Gay for bilateral inguinal hernia surgery. He explained the procedure well, and the follow-up appointment was also informative. Recovery has gone well, with no complications. Overall, I am very pleased with his service.
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Byl Kravetz
Start to finish, Dr. Gay and his staff were friendly and efficient. All of my questions were answered and the procedure went as smoothly as a procedure can go. Highly recommend their services.
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Dan Cunningham
I couldn’t ask for a better experience than with Dr Gay. Very happy. Not only a good surgeon but takes the time to get to know you. Very please
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Dr. Daniel Gay, Member of the Independent Doctors of Idaho