Gallbladder Surgery in Birmingham, AL

What is the gallbladder and why do I have stones?

The gallbladder is usually smaller than a fist and stores bile produced by the liver. If there is a chemical imbalance in the bile due to diet, rapid weight loss, or sometimes genetics, hardened deposits called gallstones can form. These stones can block the flow of bile leading to intense pain known as a gallbladder attack.

What are the common symptoms of gallstones?

Gallstones often remain "silent" until they begin to cause a blockage. If you are experiencing gallbladder issues, you may notice one or more of the following:

• Sudden and Intense Pain: Often felt in the upper right or center of the abdomen, sometimes radiating to the right shoulder or between the shoulder blades.
• Pain After Meals: Pain frequently begins after eating, particularly after consuming greasy or high-fat foods.
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Jaundice: A yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, which indicates a stone may be blocking the bile duct.
• Fever and Chills: These symptoms may signal that the gallbladder has become inflamed or infected (cholecystitis).

Why would I need gallbladder surgery?

Gallbladder surgery is typically recommended when gallstones begin causing symptoms. If gallstones are not causing symptoms (abdominal pain or nausea/vomiting), gallbladder surgery is not usually recommended.  However, after symptoms begin there is a higher risk the gallbladder can become infected or a small chance stones may migrate into the bile duct and cause jaundice or serious conditions like pancreatitis and cholangitis. While some patients initially attempt to manage symptoms by avoiding fatty foods, this does not always prevent future attacks.

How successful is gallbladder surgery?

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed in the U.S. Over 95% of patients report a complete resolution of their abdominal pain.

Can my gallstones be removed without removing my gallbladder?

No, as gallstones are a result of the gallbladder itself not functioning correctly. If a surgeon were to remove only the stones, new ones would almost certainly reform. Furthermore,  gallstones are often very small and gravel or sand-like. It would be difficult to remove all of them.  If they were broken up and passed through the bile duct into the intestines, this would create a rather dangerous situation where the patient might develop pancreatitis or a blocked bile duct known as choledocholithiasis.  Treatment of gallstones is very different from kidney stones and generally requires gallbladder removal.

Can I live a normal life without a gallbladder?

Absolutely. Your liver will continue to produce bile; it will simply flow directly into the small intestine rather than being stored. Most patients notice no difference in their digestion, others find their digestion actually improves once the diseased organ is removed, but about 13% of patients will have some looser stool after cholecystectomy.

What are the benefits of Laparoscopic vs. open surgery?

Laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for gallbladder removal and offers significant advantages over open surgery. By using a few small incisions and a high-definition camera rather than a single large opening, this minimally invasive technique results in substantially less postoperative pain, a quicker return to normal activities, and minimal scarring. Most surgeons only use open surgery in cases of extreme inflammation or other rare pathology.

How long is the recovery time for gallbladder surgery?

Most patients go home the same day of surgery. Because Dr. Harris uses a minimally invasive technique, most patients return to most activity within a few days, are back to work and resume light exercise within two weeks. Many patients may return to work even sooner.

What should I eat after gallbladder surgery?

To reduce the risk of stomach upset, Dr. Harris recommends a bland diet for the first week after surgery.  Avoid the types of foods that typically cause gallbladder attacks such as rich, creamy, fatty, or spicy foods.  Stick with bland foods like breads, fruits, vegetables, and low fat meats such as chicken breast.  But regardless of what you eat, you are not going to do any permanent damage.