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The gallbladder is located in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen. Its job is to hold bile and is used to "dissolve" fats. When you eat the gallbladder squeezes bile out to aid in digestion. Sometimes the bile changes from its liquid form to a solid (stone) form. The stones can get lodged in the bile ducts and cause pain. The usual complaints are that of right upper abdominal pain after eating meals especially if they are fatty or fried. Associated nausea or vomitting may occur. Bloating is also a symptom.
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The gallbladder can be removed using tiny incisions. This laparoscopic approach cuts down on recovery time. It is necessary to use the standard long incision (or open procedure) occasionally if the gallbladder is too inflamed to grasp or if there are bleeding or anatomical challenges. This occurs in less than one percent of my patients. The typical recovery time for the laparoscopic gallbladder removal is two to three weeks. Contact my office for any questions on this subject.
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