Gallbladder Surgery FAQ

Gallstones are hardened deposits that can form in the gallbladder, made up of a mix of cholesterol or bilirubin. They can cause pain and inflammation. Common causes include obesity, pregnancy, rapid weight loss, and certain medications. Many patients form gallstones without an identifiable reason.

• There are certain groups that are more at risk:

• Women are more likely to develop gallstones compared to men.

• Most people with gallstones appear in people over age 40.

• Being overweight or obese increases the risk substantially.

• Losing a large amount of weight rapidly can lead to gallstone formation.

• Pregnancy, the increased oestrogen levels during pregnancy raise gallstone risk.

• A diet high in fat and cholesterol, and low in fibre, can contribute to gallstones.

• Diabetes, people with diabetes, especially if overweight, have higher gallstone rates.

• Having a close relative with gallstones increases personal risk.

Common symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the upper right abdomen or under the ribs, this can radiate to the shoulder

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Jaundice (a yellowish appearance of the skin and the whites of the eyes)

• Some patients have minimal symptoms or mild bloating only.

The most common treatment for gallstones is gallbladder removal. This is called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, where the gallbladder is removed through small incisions using a camera and surgical tools. The benefits are:

• Smaller incisions for minimal scarring

• Reduced postoperative pain

• Faster recovery time

• Lower risk of surgical complications

Less common is an open cholecystectomy, involving a larger abdominal incision, this may be needed in some cases and Dr. Laurence and his team will discuss options with you.

Not everyone with gallstones needs surgery. The decision to have gallbladder surgery depends on several things:

Symptoms

If gallstones are causing recurring pain, nausea, vomiting or other symptoms, surgery is usually recommended to prevent further complications and provide relief from pain.

Presence of Complications

Surgery is advisable if gallstones have led to complications like inflammation or infection..

Asymptomatic Gallstones

If gallstones are not causing any symptoms, surgery may not be immediately necessary. Monitoring and preventive measures can be recommended instead.

Risk Factors

Surgery may be considered for asymptomatic gallstones in high-risk cases like diabetes, cirrhosis or if the gallbladder has a concerning appearance.

Generally speaking, if gallstones are causing symptoms or complications, surgical removal of the gallbladder is the most effective treatment. However, if gallstones are not causing issues, a watch-and-wait approach can be taken while being mindful of potential future issues.

The decision ultimately depends on your specific circumstances, symptoms, risk factors and we can advise you on the best management approach for your gallstone disease.

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy usually takes 1-2 hours. An open procedure may take longer, around 2-3 hours.

Procedure time is about 1-1.5 hours, after which you will spend about two hours recovering then will return to the surgical ward. You will be able to eat and drink as usual that night in most cases and will be planned for discharge the next day.

Fin out more on our patient info page.

Most people can return to light activities and work within a week after laparoscopic surgery. Full recovery with the ability to resume exercise can take 2+ weeks.

You can find more detailed info on the patient info page.

Patients may need to follow a low-fat diet for a few weeks after surgery while the body adjusts to a lack of gallbladder. Eventually, most people can return to a normal diet.

General complications from surgery include pain, bruising, blood clots, pneumonias and urinary tract infections. The risks are generally low for laparoscopic procedures.

More serious complications are possible but rare. The risk of mortality in Australia from keyhole surgery is around 1/5000 procedures.

Find out more on the

Gallbladder surgery page.