What is the gallbladder?
The liver produces a digestive chemical called bile. Bile is used during digestion to break down fats. Bile travels from the liver through the hepatic duct where is stored and concentrated in the gall bladder until needed. During digestion, the gallbladder releases bile into the intestines through the bile duct.
The gallbladder can develop one of a several problems that may require its removal. The bile that is in the gallbladder may become quite thick and ultimately form gallstones which are small hard masses composed of cholesterol and bile salts that may block the flow of bile. Gallstones can form in the gallbladder or bile duct.
The gallbladder can also loose its ability to function and become “dyskenetic” or dysfunctional. This is another reason that surgical removal may be required.
What is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy:
Removal of the gallbladder is called a cholycystectomy. The surgeons at Surgical Consultants of Hollywood in South Florida perform the majority of these procedures using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.
In a laparoscopic cholcystectomy, the procedure is performed through four very small incisions. As surgical techniques advance, many of the procedures are done with either needle sized holes and instruments or even through one single incision (single sight laparoscopic surgery – SILS).
The procedure is done as an outpatient, the vast majority of the times. If a hospital stay is required it is normally only overnight. If someone had to or wanted to stay in the hospital – the stay is usually one night.
Following surgery there are no restrictions on the diet although we always recommend a low fat diet. Removal of the gallbladder does not effect the digestion of foods and there will be no change in bowel movements or bowel habits.