Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is a surgery that removes your gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver. It is located on the upper right side of your stomach or abdomen. Bile, a digestive juice produced by the liver, is stored in the gallbladder. The most common reason for a cholecystectomy is to treat gallstones and the complications that they cause. It is a standard surgical procedure with a low risk of complications. In most cases, you will be able to leave the hospital the same day as your cholecystectomy.

Who Performs Cholecystectomy?

It is performed by surgeons who specialize in biliary disease and surgeons who specialize in other areas.

Types of Cholecystectomy

The gallbladder can be removed using one of two methods: surgical removal or laparoscopic removal.

  • Open method: One cut (incision) about 4 to 6 inches long is made on the upper right side of your belly in this method. The surgeon locates and removes the gallbladder through the incision.
  • Laparoscopic method: 3 to 4 tiny incisions are used in this method. One of the incisions is used to remove the gallbladder. It employs a long, thin tube known as a laparoscope. The tube contains a small video camera as well as surgical tools. Through the incisions, the tube, camera, and tools are inserted. While looking at a TV monitor, the surgeon performs the surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a less invasive procedure. That is, it makes tiny incisions in your abdomen. There is less blood loss. Recovery time is usually less than that of open surgery. In some cases, the laparoscope may reveal that your gallbladder is infected. It may also indicate other issues. The surgeon may then have to perform open surgery to remove your gallbladder safely.

Preparations Before Cholecystectomy

  • Your surgeon will walk you through the surgical procedure. You may ask them any questions.
  • You may be asked to sign a consent form authorizing the procedure. If anything is unclear, read the form carefully and ask questions.
  • Your medical history will be questioned by your doctor. You may also be subjected to a physical examination. This is done to make sure you're in good health before the procedure. Blood tests and other diagnostic tests may be required as well.
  • Before the procedure, you must fast for 8 hours. This frequently entails abstaining from food and drink after midnight.
  • If you are pregnant, notify your doctor.
  • Tell the doctor if you are sensitive to or allergic to any medications, latex, tape, or anesthesia medications (local and general).
  • Inform your doctor about all of the medications you are taking. This includes both OTC and prescription medications. Vitamins, herbs, and other supplements are also included.
  • If you have a history of bleeding disorders, inform your provider. Inform your provider if you take blood-thinning medications, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood-clotting medications.

How long does cholecystectomy take?

The gallbladder is removed during open gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) through a single large cut (incision) in the abdomen. The surgery will take 1 to 2 hours and will require general anesthesia. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy takes one to two hours to complete.

Risks Associated with Cholecystectomy

A cholecystectomy has a low risk of complications, which include:

  • Bile leakage
  • Bleeding
  • Structures, such as the bile duct, liver, and small intestine, can be injured.
  • General anesthesia risks include blood clots and pneumonia.

The likelihood of complications is determined by your overall health and the reason for your cholecystectomy.


Cholecystectomy Benefits

A cholecystectomy is done to relieve the pain and discomfort caused by the dysfunctional gallstones. Multiple treatments which are done in place of Conservative treatments, such as dietary modifications, usually can't stop gallstones from recurring. A cholecystectomy is the only way to prevent gallstones. Most of the times people don't usually face any other or digestive problems after a cholecystectomy. But there are cases when people might experience occasional loose stool after the procedure, which generally cures over the passing time.
Following your procedure, you are supposed to discuss with your doctor any changes in your bowel habits and activities. The pace and quality of your recovery is also dependent on your overall health and the type of procedure you have gone through. People undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be able to go back to work in a matter of days while the ones undergoing an open cholecystectomy may need a week or more to recover enough to return to work.

Cholecystectomy Recovery

Most people are allowed to go home the same day as the treatment. There are a few cases of complications but it does not require a stay in the hospital for more than a day. In the cases of a long incision in our abdomen, the doctor might recommend us to stay in the hospital longer than usual. We can not always know about what type of procedure will be used as it depends on the condition and the doctor’s decision.

To make your recovery quicker and easier you should:

  1. Ask a friend or family member to drive you home and stay close the first night after surgery.
  2. Anaesthesia takes time to wear off, keep yourself company to stay safe.
  3. Recovery varies depending on your procedure
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

People are recommended to go home on the same day as their surgery. You can eat and drink without pain and are able to walk without help.

  • Open cholecystectomy

Expect to spend two or three days in the hospital recovering. Once at home, it may take four to six weeks to fully recover.

What To Do After Cholecystectomy:

  • Rest whenever you feel tired. 
  • Get enough sleep to recover quickly.
  • Try to have an activity, walk every day. Gradually increase the time you walk for every day. 
  • Avoid the activities which might tire you out such as biking, jogging, weightlifting, and aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay.
  • You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery if the doctor suggests. 
  • Eat smaller meals more often instead of fewer larger meals.
  • Drink plenty of fluids

Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to book an online surgical procedure through Marham.pk or you can also call us at 04232591427 or 0311-1222398 from 9 am - 11 pm to book an online lab test.

Cost varies depending on the type of surgery and locality.

Yes Cholecystectomy surgery available in Pakistan?

A cholecystectomy is a surgery that is done to remove our gallbladder.
The gallbladder is an organ which is placed right underneath our liver and the upper side of our abdomen. Our gallbladder’s duty is to store the digestive fluid which our liver produces.
Your doctor may recommend a cholecystectomy if you have: • Gallstones in the gallbladder (cholelithiasis) • Gallstones in the bile duct (choledocholithiasis) • Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis) • Large gallbladder polyps • Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) due to gallstones
In many cases, a person is suggested to go home on the very same day as the treatment.
The procedure of cholecystectomy is done by inserting a tiny video camera and special surgical tool through four small incisions in our body. Its purpose is to see the inside of our abdomen and remove the gallbladder. This is also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• Rest whenever you feel tired. • Get enough sleep to recover quickly. • Try to have an activity, walk every day. Gradually increase the time you walk for every day. • Avoid the activities which might tire you out such as biking, jogging, weightlifting, and aerobic exercise, until your doctor says it is okay. • You may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery if the doctor suggests. • Eat smaller meals more often instead of fewer larger meals. • Drink plenty of fluids.
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: People are recommended to go home on the same day as their surgery. You can eat and drink without pain and are able to walk without help. • Open cholecystectomy: Expect to spend two or three days in the hospital recovering. Once at home, it may take four to six weeks to fully recover.
You should avoid the following foods: • Fried foods • Fatty meals • Fatty dairy products • Pizza • Food with a lot of butter • Creamy sauces • Chocolate • Meat gravies
You might face: • Difficulty in digesting foods rich in fats. • Temporary diarrhea. • Constipation. • Intestinal injury.

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