Gallbladder Removal Surgery and Recovery

Gallbladder Removal Surgery Has Become Commonplace 

Gallbladder removal surgery is one of the most common procedures done in the United States today. About half a million gallbladder removal surgery operations take place annually in the United States. Gallbladder removal surgery is also known medically as a cholecystectomy.

Your gallbladder stores bile and delivers it to the digestive system when you eat. Bile is important because it breaks down fats and makes them easier to process. However, you can actually live without your gallbladder because the liver produces enough bile on its own to process food adequately. Some animals don't even have a gallbladder.

Therefore, gallbladder removal surgery can be done without threatening your life if your gallbladder becomes diseased or starts malfunctioning.

There are a number of reasons your doctor will recommend gallbladder removal surgery. The most common are:

Chronic gallbladder attacks These can be severe and debilitating.

Gallstones If you've had one gallstone, more are likely to follow.

An infected gallbladder Your gallbladder, like your appendix, can burst if it becomes infected.

A "motility problem" This means your gallbladder is malfunctioning and doesn't contract as it should to squeeze bile into the biliary tract.

How is gallbladder removal surgery done? Gallbladder removal surgery is commonly done in one of two ways. Both require general anesthesia.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery is becoming more and more common, and more and more preferred by anyone who needs to have their gallbladder removed. Laparoscopic surgery involves a small video tube that passes into the abdominal area through a small incision. The surgeon actually performs the procedure by looking at a video monitor.

An open incision gallbladder removal surgery procedure is a more traditional method that requires opening the abdomen and removing the gallbladder through the opening. It leaves a scar and requires a longer recovery.

Recovering from gallbladder removal surgery Sometimes, a person who has had their gallbladder removed doesn't feel much different after the surgery. They even experience the same symptoms they had before their gallbladder was removed. This phenomenon is called postcholecystectomy syndrome, or "after gallbladder surgery syndrome." This happens because bile can still accumulate in the bile duct, which is not removed.

One common question is "Is there pain after gallbladder removal surgery?" Unfortunately, research has shown that as many of 4 out of 10 people who are recovering from gallbladder removal surgery will suffer some pain or discomfort for months or even years.

If you want to do your best to make sure you never need gallbladder removal surgery, eating the right kind of food--and avoiding the wrong kind--is essential.

If you eat fruit, vegetables, and certain varieties of rice, grains and beans, you'll be doing your gallbladder a favor. The more fatty foods you eat, the higher your chances of needing gallbladder surgery someday. For more information, click on low fat gallbladder diet plan.