Gallbladder Surgery

The Gall Bladder is an internal organ that sits in the top right side of the abdomen. It is close to the liver and the bowel. It functions with these organs to help them digest food. It does this by adding Bile to the gut to aid with the digestion of the fats we eat, and some important vitamins. 

Sometimes the Gall bladder needs to be removed. This is usually because stones have formed within the organ and they are causing problems. The stones can cause a blockage of the gall bladder which leads to pain and sometimes an infection. These stones may also travel to the pancreas and give you pancreatitis which is a painful and dangerous condition. Rarely there are polyps or even cancer in the Gall bladder. 

The surgery to remove the Gall Bladder is most often performed Laparoscopically (Key Hole surgery). X-ray is performed at the time of the surgery to ensure no stones are in the ducts attached to the Gall bladder or liver. Usually there are 4 small cuts in the abdomen after the operation, and most people go home the day after their operation. 

Your surgeon will explain the operation in more detail at your review and can give you some reading materials to take with you.