Gallbladder Surgery

Reviews

Steven E

"Was seen immediately and got the help I needed to get back to walking again. Would highly suggest Dr. Nguyen!"

Liz G

"Brought my 1 1/2 year old in for an ingrown toenail. Dr. Anthony Nguyen and his staff were simply amazing. They were so patient with my baby, explained everything throughly and fixed the issue immediately. Definitely recommend Dr. Nguyen! Thank you Dr. Nguyen and all your wonderful staff."

Allen C

"I'd like to recommend Central Valley Surgical Specialists to the Bakersfield City and surrounding community fro their wonderful care and expertise. Their Facility is very clean, and their staff are very courteous and helpful, and their MD is extremely helpful and well experienced.

Tommy U

"Not long waiting time, or in a small room, waiting to see a doctor. A number of specialist for different procedures. Not the same doctor, trying to do everything. All staff very curious and professional. You'll be happy you went."

Douglas G.

"We would like to thank you (Dr.Singh) for being such a great doctor, you are personable, competant, and thorough, but that’s not what makes you a FANTASTIC doctor.

To us it was the way you listened to our needs and was caring and understanding.

Thank you for doing such a great job on my surgery. I am recovering quickly but will remain taking it easy for the 6 weeks.

You are a blessing to my wife and I."

What Are the Gallbladder and Gallstones?

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that helps with the digestion of food. Your gallbladder stores bile and releases the bile during digestion. If it is working incorrectly, it can develop hard fragments called gallstones that range in size from a grain of rice to as large as a golf ball. Gallstones won’t go away on their own, about 80% cause other symptoms, such as pain, requiring the gallbladder to be removed. This is one of the most common surgeries, called a cholecystectomy. The surgery can be performed as an open surgery or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

What to Expect During Open Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Open surgery requires approximately a 5 to 7-inch incision on your abdomen to remove the gall bladder. This procedure may be required if you have scar tissue, a bleeding disorder, are very overweight, or in your last trimester of pregnancy, among other possible reasons. This procedure is done under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep the whole time.

What to Expect During Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery?

This “keyhole surgery” includes making 4 small incisions rather than one large one. The surgeon inflates your abdomen with air or carbon dioxide to see clearly. He will insert a thin flexible scope with a light and a very small camera into one of the incisions. Then, using a video monitor as a guide, the surgeon will insert surgical instruments into the other incisions to remove your gallbladder. This procedure is also done under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep the whole time.

What to Expect After Gallbladder Surgery

After surgery bile flows from the liver, through the common bile duct, and into the small intestine, so no bile is stored between meals. This usually has little to no effect on digestion. The surgery may be done as an outpatient if done laparoscopically, or you may spend one to two days in the hospital. For open surgery, the hospital stay is typically 2 to 4 days. Most people return to normal activities within 7 to 10 days after laparoscopic surgery, up to 2 to 4 weeks after open surgery. Those who have the procedure done laparoscopically are usually sore for about a week, typically two to three weeks less discomfort than those who have open surgery. No special diets or other precautions are needed after surgery. After gallbladder surgery, some people have ongoing abdominal symptoms, such as pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea (post cholecystectomy syndrome).