Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Surgical Associates of Marshall County offer laparoscopic or minimally invasive gallbladder removal surgery in Albertville and Guntersville.

Gallbladder removal is the leading form of treatment for gallstones, biliary dyskinesia, or gallbladder dysfunction. If you are experiencing severe abdominal pain due to your gallbladder, or if gallstones develop, then gallbladder removal surgery may be necessary. Minimally invasive gallbladder removal surgery is also known as laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Symptoms of gallbladder disease include:

• Bloating
• Indigestion
• Pain after eating, especially in the upper portion of the stomach
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Gallstones are crystallized cholesterol deposits that form in the gallbladder and prevent the flow of bile during digestion. Gallstones may be the size of a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. Gallstones do not always show symptoms, but when they do they almost always require gallbladder removal surgery as treatment.

Symptoms of gallstones generally include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Fever
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Clay-colored stools
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Minimally invasive gallbladder removal surgery uses a specialized tool called a laparoscope to remove the gallbladder through a series of minor incisions in the abdomen. The laparoscope is a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera, light and surgical tools that provides your surgeon with an enhanced view of the targeted area by projecting images of the operation to a screen in the operating room.

Gallbladder removal surgery is performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. During the procedure, your surgeon may conduct a cholangiogram to determine if there are any gallstones that have traveled outside of the gallbladder. This is an x-ray examination that uses dye that travels through the branches of the bile duct to enhance visibility.

Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is generally performed as an outpatient procedure. Once you are able to easily consume clear liquids your surgeon will likely permit you to return home for your recovery period.

Side Effects and Risks of Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Laparoscopic techniques for gallbladder removal surgery reduce many of the risks formerly associated with gallbladder removal. Bleeding, inflammation and infection at the incision site are still risks, but they are rare. Your general surgeon will discuss all risks associated with gallbladder removal prior to your operation.

To learn more about gallbladder removal surgery at Surgical Associates of Marshall County, please call 256-840-5547 (Albertville) or 256-571-8734 (Guntersville) or complete our online contact form.