Gallbladder Surgery
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a gallbladder for?
Think of the gallbladder as a liquid soap dispenser that helps
the digestive tract absorb fatty foods. Bile is like the soap,
formed in the liver and stored in the gallbladder for use when
a fatty meal is eaten. With normal function, the gallbladder
does this painlessly and automatically.
What are gallstones?
All liquid soap dispensors form soap scum with dehydration.
Essentially, gallstones are dehydrated soap scum largely
composed of cholesterol. They are originally soft and mushy,
like Play-Doh, but harden with time.
How does the gallbladder cause pain?
Gallbladder pain usually indicates an obstruction of the
outflow of the exit of the gallbladder, commonly caused by
gallstones or a kink or twist and its subsequent inflammation
of the exiting bile tube. Pain is a warning of more pain to
come and potentially serious complications.
Can gallbladder problems be serious?
Yes! Gallbladder removal is one of the more common
emergency operations performed in America. Gallstones
commonly obstruct the outflow of the gallbladder, resulting
in severe pressure that can cause gangrene in the
gallbladder. In addition, infections can occur when the bile
is thick with sludge. This is more common in people who
have depressed immune function, such as diabetics.
Gallstones can also migrate, causing obstruction of the bile
tubes from the liver or from the pancreas gland. Severe
pancreatitis can result in months of hospitalization and
severe diabetes mellitus.
What are typical symptoms of gallbladder trouble?
Typically, pain is experienced below the right ribcage in the
upper abdomen, radiating through the right shoulder and
back, and can be severe to moderate. Often, pain occurs after
eating meals, though many patients are awakended in the
middle of the night with this pain, preventing sleep for hours.
Other common symptoms include burping, fatty food
intolerance, a full feeling, increased heartburn, and bowel
irregularity. If a patient with gallstones suddently turns
yellow, even in the absence of pain, this is a severe
sign of bile tube obstruction to the liver.
over
Gallbladder Surgery
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (cont.)
Can this be managed without surgery?
A low-fat diet may result in less frequent and less intense
symptoms. For those who have attacks at night, sleeping on
the right side may make those attacks less frequent. The pills
available to dissolve gallstones are toxic to the liver and
generally not advised. Lithotripsy has been tried to crush
gallstones, however, that form of therapy was abandoned by
the late 1980's.
Is minimally invasive surgery available?
The standard form of treatment for symptomatic gallbladder
trouble is minimally invasive laparoscopic cholecystectomy
surgery. This is usually an outpatient surgery under general
anesthesia, where a small camera is introduced into the
abdomen through an incision near the navel. Three other
small incisions allow the surgeon to work in the abdominal
cavity without opening the abdomen all the way. The
operation usually takes around an hour, and during the
operation, x-rays are usually taken of the bile tubes to make
sure that there are no migrating gallstones left behind.
What is recovery like?
This is usually an outpatient surgery. Discomfort and possible
nausea are most bothersome in the first 24-48 hours. After
that, a low-fat diet is advised for a few months. This minimizes
indigestion while your body adapts to functioning without a
gallbladder. Most people are off pain medicine and driving
within a week, and have returned back to light duty work
within a week. For those doing heavy work, lifting over 15
pounds is not advised for about a month.
How do I choose a surgeon?
Experience and technique are the keys to surgical excellence.
Bedside manner, cost and availability need also be
considered when choosing a surgeon. Dr. Robert C.
Wright has performed nearly 3000 minimally invasive
laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. Many were performed
as day surgery in his Meridian Surgery Center for Hernia
and Minimally Invasive Surgery, providing his
patients with excellent care and
privacy with less exposure to
hospital related risks.
Meridian Surgery Center
1703 S Meridian Suite 201 & 304
Puyallup, WA 98371
(P) 253.840.1999 (F) 253.445.4125 Robert C. Wright, MD, FACS
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