The gallbladder is an organ that helps in digestion through an enzyme called bile. If there is an imbalance in its functioning, hard fragments called Gallstones are formed. The sizes of these Gallstones can vary – from a grain of rice to the size of a golf ball.

If you want to remove your painful gallstones, gallbladder removal surgery may be required. Around 80% of patients undergo gallbladder removal surgery to get rid of their gallstones for good.

Symptoms of a problematic gallbladder or gallstones include rapidly increasing pain in the upper right abdomen. Excruciating pain in the center of your abdomen under your breastbone is also a symptom that should not be ignored. Other symptoms include back pain, between a patient’s shoulder blades or pain in the right shoulder. Nausea or vomiting are also symptoms that indicate trouble in the gallbladder.

Laparoscopic Gallbladder surgery also known as Cholecystectomy involves the removal of the gallbladder by making multiple incisions in the patient’s abdomen. Carbon dioxide or air is utilized to inflate the abdomen to improve visibility.

The Laparoscope, a tubular video camera with an attached lighted scope is inserted in an incision close to the belly button. A video monitor helps the surgeon while inserting instruments into incisions to remove the gallbladder. The patient is given general anesthesia for this surgery, which wears off within 2 hours.

In cases of obesity or late pregnancy, patients may need an open cholecystectomy. In this procedure, A 4 to 6in incision is made in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. General anesthesia is given to the patient so he/she doesn’t feel the pain of the process. This procedure is extremely effective but the recovery time is longer and the scars left are more visible. Recovery can take up to 6 weeks after surgery.