Gallbladder Removal Surgery: Removal of Gallbladder with Surgery

Gallbladder removal surgery is a procedure that approximately 2 million Americans undergo each year. Called ‘cholecystectomy,’ this common procedure of removing the gall bladder becomes necessary only under the following circumstances:

• The patient suffers from recurring pain from gallbladder attacks;
• The patient has detected gallstones in the gallbladder;
• The patient has an infected gallbladder;
• The patient has a problem functioning well and is showing signs of a “motility problem.”

The surgical removal of the gallbladder includes two types of procedures.

The first and most common one is called ‘laparoscopic surgery,’ wherein four (4) small incisions are made with the aid of minute camera called the laparoscope. The second type is the open cholecystectomy, wherein an incision measuring up to eight inches is made on the right side of the abdomen.

Gallbladder Removal Surgery Recovery

Recovery period after cholecystectomy could take from two days to one week, depending upon the speed of healing of the incision made. Discomfort may be felt by the patient for months, but this is not dangerous, as the gall bladder is not a vital organ, and the human body could survive and function well without it.

Gallbladder Removal Surgery Complications

Complications after gallbladder removal is rare, but when it does occur it may include the following:

• Bleeding;
• Infection;
• Pneumonia;
• Blood clots;
• Heart problems;
• Accidental injury to other organs like the bile duct or the small bowel; and
• Leakage of bile into the abdomen.

Rare side effects from the surgery include Diarrhea or Bile Dumping Syndrome, which causes nausea, vomiting, sweating and dizzy spells.

Gallbladder Removal Surgery Cost

Cost for the surgery depends upon the location of the clinic, the expertise of the doctor, and the severity of the condition. Insurance companies cover costs for cholecystectomy.

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