Gallstones
A small sac located under the liver, the gallbladder stores bile produced by the liver. When you eat, it releases the bile into the small intestine to help digest fats. While this aids in digestion, the gallbladder is considered non-vital, which means you can live a normal, healthy life without it.
Gallstones are hard “pebbles” that form in the bile – sometimes as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. In some cases there may be no symptoms, but in others gallstones can block ducts and cause inflammation.89
If you have gallstones, you might feel “crampy” or “colicky” pain in your right upper abdomen from 30 minutes to several hours, particularly after eating fatty foods – this is called biliary colic. The pain may go away as the gallstones move, but if a duct is blocked continuously, the gallbladder can get infected and rupture. This situation can be very dangerous. 89
Standard Treatment of Gallstones
While there are medications and treatments that dissolve or break up gallstones, often the best treatment is to surgically remove the gallbladder itself, known as a cholecystectomy. And about a million are performed each year in the U.S. alone. 21 Nearly all are performed with laparoscopy.89
Once you and your doctor have determined that surgery is required, gathering as much information as you can about the procedure is important. How your surgeon actually performs the surgery can dramatically impact you recovery period and lessen pain after the operation. There are two different approaches to consider: One is a traditional “open” method (which requires a large 5-8” incision), and the other is a minimally invasive procedure (with smaller incisions) that may reduce pain, scarring, and the risk of complications.
Talking to your Doctor about Gallstones
If you are diagnosed with gallstones, your doctor will refer you to a surgeon for the procedure. If you're interested in having your gallbladder removed using a minimally invasive approach, talk to your doctor and ask to recommend a surgeon trained in laparoscopic techniques.
These questions can help you gather the information you need from your doctor:
Once you've been referred to a surgeon, it's important to continue the conversation about your procedure. Only your surgeon can decide whether or not you're a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure, but you should feel comfortable to get the best information
Gallstone Resources
Learn more about gallstones and possible treatment options with these resources.
Whether you choose to have conventional surgery or to have a Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS), it is important that you have a surgeon who is experienced and qualified to perform the procedure.
To locate a surgeon in your area experienced with MIS, click here.
