Gallbladder surgery is a fairly common surgical procedure. Many people are so afraid of the word surgery, they shut down their brains when they hear it. If people understood gallbladder surgery, perhaps the fear would subside.
The first question people usually ask about gallbladder surgery is how it is removed. During the 1990’s, the surgery changed dramatically. Before then, a 6-9 inch incision was made in the upper or middle abdomen to remove the gallbladder. Today, however, the gallbladder surgery is much less dramatic. About 3 or 4 tiny incisions are made in the abdomen. A scope and surgical instruments are passed through the incisions. During this laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, the gallbladder is removed from the liver. Clips are placed on the gallbladder artery and the outflow duct. The gallbladder is then pulled out through one of the small incisions.
Another question people usually ask about gallbladder surgery is if some people have the regular large incision. The answer is yes, sometimes. This usually only is mandatory in gallbladder surgery when patients have an inflamed or gangrene gallbladder. It is very uncommon.
How long will the hospital stay be? This is another common question before gallbladder surgery. Since gallbladder surgeries are now mainly done laparscopically, patients are usually sent home the same day of surgery. If surgery is done in the late afternoon or evening, they usually go home the morning of the next day. It is usually considered an outpatient surgery.
Before anyone has gallbladder surgery done, many people ask about the risks of this surgery. Just like any other surgery, there are some risks. Infection and excessive bleeding are always risks. However, since gallbladder surgeries are now mainly done laparscopicly, these risks are substantially lowered.
The fifth question people usually ask about gallbladder surgery is how soon they can go back to work. For most people, a week off work will do the trick. If heavy lifting is part of your job description, most surgeons recommend to wait at least two weeks after gallbladder surgery.
Hopefully, getting some questions answered about gallbladder surgery will ease anxiety surgery can create.