The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located under the liver, responsible for storing bile. The liver produces bile and stores it in the gallbladder, from which it’s gradually released to digest fats. The gallbladder is an important organ, but it can become problematic because of blockages that may harden into gallstones. The presence of gallstones inside the gallbladder can lead to severe abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and infection.
When is Gallbladder Surgery Done?
The gallbladder performs a vital function — it releases the bile produced by the liver to digest fat. But the gallbladder can also get blocked by hard deposits of various sizes (gallstones) and stop functioning properly. Gallbladder surgery in Herrin and Mount Vernon might be necessary if you have gallstones in the gallbladder, signs of inflammation and infection, and gallstones in the bile duct. Depending on your condition, the surgeon may remove the gallstones or the entire gallbladder.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems:
- Heartburns
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
Your Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery
Dr. Ahuja uses cutting-edge laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgical techniques for gallbladder surgery. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is one of the least invasive techniques for gallbladder removal. During this procedure, Dr. Ahuja makes 3 to 4 small incisions in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope (a flexible tube with a tiny lens) and the surgical instruments.
Dr. Ahuja pumps gas into the abdomen to visualize the region clearly, following which he removes the gallstones. If the gallbladder isn’t functioning properly, he may remove the entire gallbladder. He will also inject dye into the bile duct to identify other possible gallstones located outside the gallbladder. This is the safest means of removing gallstones.
Benefits of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery:
- Only involves 3 to 4 extremely small incisions
- Allows the surgeon to clearly visualize and find the gallstones
- Alleviates the problems caused by indigestion
- Outpatient procedure — no hospitalization
- Minimal post-treatment recovery period
- Causes minimal scarring
Recovery After Gallbladder Surgery
The recovery process after gallbladder surgery in Herrin and Mount Vernon may last for up to 6 weeks. You may experience pain in one or both shoulders because of the gas pumped into your stomach, but this pain should only last a few days. You may also experience mild nausea and vomiting, loose stools, and bruising around the wounds. You can resume daily activities and work after a week, but strenuous activities must be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
Schedule an Appointment
Ahuja Bariatric & Beyond is a state-of-the-art medical center specializing in minimally invasive laparoscopic and robot-assisted techniques for gallbladder removal. Dr. Ahuja carefully evaluates your condition and performs comprehensive tests to curate a personalized treatment plan. His surgical techniques always ensure optimal results with minimal risks of complications. Please schedule an appointment with Dr. Ahuja if you have questions regarding gallbladder surgery in Herrin and Mount Vernon
