Gallbladder Removal Surgery In Milton Keynes

The gallbladder is a small sac located in the abdomen that helps to aid digestion and store the bile that is produced by the liver.

Sometimes the gallbladder doesn’t function as it should and gallstones can occur. If you are experiencing severe or frequent gallstone symptoms, gallbladder removal surgery (known as cholecystectomy) may be necessary.

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What causes gallstones?

Although we know how to treat gallstones, we don’t know exactly why some people develop them.

It is thought that gallstones may be a result of chemical imbalances in the bile in the gallbladder, such as too much cholesterol or unusually high levels of a waste product called bilirubin. These chemical imbalances cause tiny crystals to form, which grow over time and eventually become stones.

It has also been said that gallstones might be due to the gallbladder not emptying properly, creating blockages.

Signs & symptoms of gallstones

The most common symptom of gallstones is pain in the upper-right abdomen, although it can sometimes feel like a band running across the whole area and migrating to your shoulders.

The pain usually lasts anywhere between a quarter of an hour and several hours, with attacks sometimes separated by weeks, months or even years, with no fixed pattern.

Sometimes gallstones won’t cause any symptoms, and you won’t even know that they are there.

Gallstone complications

If a gallstone blocks the cystic duct it can cause inflammation and infection — a condition known as cholecystitis. This is often accompanied by intense pain and requires surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Gallstones blocking the bile ducts can cause jaundice, dark urine and skin itching, and also require immediate medical attention. There is also a risk that the pancreas will become inflamed if you have gallstones, and this requires immediate medical treatment as it can be a very serious condition.

The benefits of gallbladder removal

Having gallbladder removal surgery can have many benefits for your health.

When the gallbladder needs to be removed, you will probably be experiencing severe, frequent or painful symptoms such as:

Abdominal pain
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes)
Drops in your blood pressure
Nausea and vomiting

Once the gallbladder is removed, these unpleasant symptoms should dissipate.

Gallbladder removal surgery can also mitigate the risk of infection and inflammation — both of which can be very serious and require immediate medical attention.

Treatment options for gallstones

Your personal treatment plan for gallstones will depend on how severe your symptoms are and how much they affect your day-to-day life.

For those with recurring pain and at risk of developing an infection, surgery is the best option.

During a cholecystectomy, the surgeon will remove the gallbladder with the stones, a routine, half-hour-long procedure conducted by minimally-invasive keyhole surgery.

How to prepare for gallbladder removal surgery

As with any surgery, there will be some preparation needed before your gallbladder removal surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with all the instructions that you need, so make sure you follow their advice very carefully.

Typically, you’ll be asked to not eat or drink anything for at least four hours before your surgery. You may also be asked to stop taking certain medications or supplements that could interfere with the procedure or anaesthesia.

You might also be advised to arrange to have someone available to drive you to and from the surgery, as you won’t be able to do so yourself. Another request may be for you to wash your skin with antibacterial soap, but your surgeon will let you know if this is necessary.

What happens during gallbladder surgery?

Gallbladder removal surgery is a low-risk procedure, and you can often go home on the same day or within the next couple of days.

Laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder. This type of surgery is generally used because the recovery time is faster and the risk of scarring is reduced.

In this procedure, the surgeon will make four small incisions into the abdomen. A thin tube with a small camera attached is then placed into the abdomen through one of the openings. Your surgeon can then see the inside of your abdomen through a video monitor in the operating room.

The gallbladder is then removed from the body and your incisions are then sutured. You may have to have further scans like an X-ray or an ultrasound to make sure that the gallstones are gone, but this isn’t always necessary.

A laparoscopic cholecystectomy takes around half an hour.

What to expect after gallbladder removal

Complete recovery from your gallbladder removal can take up to six weeks, and you may have to stay in the hospital for up to three days.

You’ll receive some important aftercare advice from your doctor or surgeon, which might include guidance like:

Walk short distances to prevent blood clots
Drink lots of water
Always wash your hands before and after touching the sutured incision
No lifting
Avoiding any strenuous activities
Wear loose-fitting clothing around the incision site

You’ll also be told how to change your bandages, as this is important in preventing infection and keeping the site clean.

If you have any questions about your recovery or aftercare, make sure you speak to your surgeon or doctor and they’ll be able to advise you.

Why choose Mr Achal Khanna for gallbladder removal surgery?

As one of the most well-qualified and experienced surgeons in the treatment of gallstones, Mr Achal Khanna offers cholecystectomy treatment to patients in Milton Keynes and the surrounding area.

Mr Achal Khanna takes a personalised, tailored approach to all patients to ensure that they receive the very best care that meets their needs.

If you are concerned that you may have a problem with your gallbladder and require expert advice and surgery, please use our contact form or contact Mr Khanna’s clinic on 01908 305 127.