Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)

Gallstones affect more than 20 million people in the U.S.⁹¹ with about a million patients electing to undergo gall bladder removal to treat the condition.²¹ If you have a persistent problem with them, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Until 1990, gallbladder removals (or cholecystectomies) were performed through traditional "open" surgery, which requires a large incision. Today, new technologies enable surgeons to perform a cholecystectomy using a minimally invasive approach (with smaller incisions), which may result in less pain and scarring, as well as faster recovery. This means you can return to normal activities sooner.²⁰ To remove your gallbladder, doctors have two options:

In an open cholecystectomy, the surgeon: 

• Makes a 5- to 8-inch incision through skin, muscle, and protective tissue below your ribs on your right side.
• Pulls back the muscle and tissue to reveal your liver and gallbladder.
• Isolates and removes the gallbladder.
• Closes the incision with sutures or surgical staples.

In a minimally invasive procedure for cholecystectomy, the surgeon:

• Makes several ¾-inch incisions instead of one larger incision.

• Inflates your abdomen with air or carbon dioxide.

• Inserts a miniature camera called a laparoscope into your abdomen through one of the incisions, and watches the images on a video monitor.

• Uses advanced, long-handled instruments inserted through the other incisions to detach and remove your gallbladder.

• Closes each small incision with sutures.

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Minimally Invasive Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)

In 2009, out of the over one million gallbladder removal surgeries (cholecystectomies) in the U.S., 95% were performed laparoscopically.²¹ Patient benefits, clinical evidence, and other factors are the reason why most surgeons use a minimally invasive approach for this procedure.

During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon removes the gallbladder through several small incisions in the abdomen. After inflating the abdomen, the surgeon inserts a lighted scope with a video camera into one of the incisions and is able to view the area around the gallbladder using a monitor. Surgical instruments are then inserted to remove the gallbladder.

Because the gallbladder has been removed, the body can no longer store bile (produced in the liver) between meals. In most people, this has little or no effect on digestion.

What to expect during a minimally invasive cholecystectomy

Depending on your situation, you may have the surgery as an outpatient or you may stay in the hospital for a day and about a 7 to 10 day recovery period at home. When the same procedure is performed using a traditional "open" surgical approach (which requires a large incision), you would likely spend 2 to 3 days in the hospital and 4 to 6-week recovery period at home.⁹³

After your surgery, some of the following may occur:⁹⁴

• Pain in your shoulder and belly that lasts 24 to 72 hours (from gas used to inflate the abdomen during surgery). In some cases, it may last as long as a week.
• Widespread muscle aches from anesthesia.
• Loss of appetite and some nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Minor inflammation or drainage at the surgical wound sites.

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Talking to your Surgeon about Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)

Once you're referred to a surgeon for a cholecystectomy, ask questions. Learn as much as you can about your surgeon, the surgery, and your own condition. Here are a few questions to get the conversation started.

• Is minimally invasive surgery an option for my cholecystectomy?
• What are the benefits of a minimally invasive surgery for a cholecystectomy?
• What are the risks of an MIP for a cholecystectomy?
• How many cholecystectomy surgeries have you performed using MIP?
• How often do you have to switch from an MIP for cholecystectomy to a conventional cholecystectomy during surgery?
• Does this seem like a routine cholecystectomy? Is there any reason to be concerned about particular complications that may arise during the surgery?
• Do my symptoms indicate that there's a chance you may need to switch to a conventional cholecystectomy?
• How long will it take for me to recover from having my gallbladder removed?
• When will I be able to leave the hospital?
• When can I resume my normal activities, including school, work, exercise, sexual activity, and/or recreation?

Don’t like the answers you get? Consider getting a second opinion. It's important that you feel comfortable with the treatment and the surgeon you've selected.

Finding a Surgeon

To locate a surgeon in your area experienced in minimally invasive cholecystectomies, use our Find a Physician tool.