Relevant answers to your frequent questions...

Gallbladder Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of gallbladder surgery?

Getting a good surgeon is extremely important. A punctured bile duct or a poorly clipped cystic duct can cause bile to leak and poison the adjacent organs. A punctured bowel can release excrement into the pelvic area. In both cases, pus will develop in the infected areas, leading to organ failure and a painful death if not expertly repaired. Nicking the common bile duct can cause it to scar, become narrow, and block the flow of bile, resulting in jaundice and liver congestion. ...

What are the symptoms of a complicated gallbladder surgery?

At first, patients may only feel unwell and vaguely uncomfortable, but gradually they will experience severe pain in the abdomen. Breathing difficulties shortly after surgery is a sign of bile leakage. Discharging a patient with these symptoms is medically negligent. Unfortunately, jaundice caused by a scarred bile duct does not appear immediately, and the patient is sent home with a condition waiting to erupt. ...

What are the potential risks and complications of gallbladder surgery?

Some possible complications of this procedure include: Conversion to an open procedure Infection of the skin Recurrent upper abdominal pain Rare complications include: Bleeding requiring re-operation or transfusion Bile leakage requiring re-operation or drainage Infection in the abdomen, occasionally requiring drainage Injury to surrounding structures, including the intestine or bile duct Chronic fatty food intolerance or diarrhea Adverse reaction to the anesthesia Any complication can lead to additional procedures, re-... ...

Does Dr. Fenyves or Dr. Fry do gallbladder surgery?

No, Dr. Fenyves and Dr. Fry are gastroenterologists and do not perform surgery.

What can I expect in terms of recovery from gallbladder surgery?

Every case is different, but the following are averages: Back to top Narcotic pain medicine is necessary for 4 - 7 days after discharge. You should not lift anything heavier than 20lbs for 21 days. You may resume aerobic exercise in 14 - 21 days. You will probably need 1 - 2 weeks off of work .

What Are the Alternatives to Gallbladder Surgery?

In addition to surgery, nonsurgical approaches have been pursued but are used only in special situations and only for gallstones that are predominantly cholesterol. Oral dissolution therapy with ursodiol (Actigall) and chenodiol (Chenix) works best for small, cholesterol gallstones. These medicines are made from the acid naturally found in bile. They most often are used in individuals who cannot tolerate surgery. Treatment may be required for months to years before gallstones are dissolved. ...

If I need gallbladder surgery, can the band be applied at the same time?

Yes. Both surgical procedures can be done at the same time, at no additional cost.
Yes. Both surgical procedures can be done at the same time, as long there are no contra-indications and your surgeon is able to combine the procedures in your specific case.

Can I have this procedure done having had prior gallbladder surgery?

Yes, providing pre-op tests do not reveal any other problems. In other cases, the patient has an Ultrasound done to determine If they have developed gallstones, in that case the gallbladder is removed during surgery.
Yes, providing pre-op tests do not reveal any other problems.

Do you remove the gallbladder during surgery?

No, we do not remove the gallbladder on a routine basis unless we conduct a gallbladder ultrasound and it indicates otherwise. Your surgeon will discuss this with you further during your consultation.
If your do not have any gallstones, we usually do not remove the gallbladder during your bariatrics surgical procedure. If you do have gallstones, you and your surgical team will discuss treatment options with you.

Suppose that I need gallbladder surgery, can the band be applied at the same time?

Yes. Both surgical methods can be finished at the identical time, at no added cost.

My doctor has recommended that I have hernia surgery/gallbladder surgery perfomed. Can these be performed at the same time as my bariatric surgery?

Yes. Certain other surgeries can be performed in conjunction with gastric bypass and band placement. You will need to discuss this with Dr. Fuller of Dr. Gibbs during your consultation.

Will you have to remove my gallbladder during surgery?

We do not routinely remove the gallbladder during surgery. Gastric bypass patients are at high risk for gallbladder problems and have to take gallstone-dissolving pills for the first three months. Gastric band patients (LAP-BAND, REALIZE band) do not require gallbladder medicine after surgery. If you already have gallstones, you should discuss the treatment options with your surgeon. ...
We do not routinely remove the gallbladder during surgery. If you already have gallstones, you should discuss the treatment options with your surgeon.

Ever since gallbladder surgery, I've had looser bowel movements. I also have bowel movements more often now. Could removal of my gallbladder have caused digestive problems?

Almost 1 in every 3 people have looser and more frequent bowel movements after gallbladder surgery. A few develop more troublesome diarrhea. Scientists think that gallbladder removal decreases the amount of time that food remains in the large intestine. The large intestine removes water from digested food and stores feces for elimination from the body. When digested food moves through the large intestine faster, diarrhea-like symptoms may occur. Often just avoiding certain foods can solve the problem. ...
Bookmark this page  

Also on SnappyFingers: