Gallbladder

Gallbladder surgery is a common procedure that involves removing your gallbladder. At Slim Vegas Bariatrics & General Surgery in Las Vegas, Nevada, Jon Williams, MD, uses minimally invasive techniques when performing gallbladder surgery to reduce scarring and recovery time. To schedule a consultation with the skilled surgeon, call or book online today.

What is the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ in the upper abdominal area. Its primary job is to store bile, a substance made in your liver that helps digest fat. 

Though the gallbladder has a specific purpose, you can survive without it.

When do I need gallbladder surgery?

Dr. Williams determines when you need gallbladder surgery, also called cholecystectomy, after a surgical consultation. Dr. Williams takes a comprehensive approach to care, asking detailed questions about your concerns to get a complete picture of your needs. 

He may recommend gallbladder surgery if you have problems with your gallbladder that cause persistent abdominal pain that disrupts your daily life. Gallstones are a common gallbladder problem. These stones form when there’s an imbalance in the substances used to make bile, creating hard, rock-like deposits. 

Gallstones may block the movement of bile, causing pain and indigestion. Gallstones may also cause inflammation or an infection in the gallbladder. 

When you have gallstones that cause pain or affect digestion, you may benefit from gallbladder surgery.

What happens during gallbladder surgery?

Dr. Williams customizes your gallbladder surgery plan to match your needs and ensure you get the best outcomes. He usually performs this procedure using minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. 

During the procedure, Dr. Wiliams makes a small incision in your abdomen and inserts a laparoscope, a small tube with a light and camera. He then makes additional incisions to insert the surgical tools he needs to remove your gallbladder. 

Dr. Williams closes the incisions and sends you to the recovery room. Most patients go home the same day.

How long is recovery following gallbladder surgery?

Recovery following gallbladder surgery varies. However, most patients are back to their usual activities within two weeks following laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. 

By comparison, it may take up to eight weeks to recover from an open gallbladder surgery, when a surgeon makes a large incision through your abdominal wall to get to and remove the gallbladder. 

Unless Dr. Williams says otherwise, you don’t have to adhere to a special diet following gallbladder surgery. Your liver takes over the gallbladder’s function so you can continue to digest fat.

To schedule your gallbladder surgery consultation at Slim Vegas Bariatrics & General Surgery, call today or book an appointment online.