However, if a patient is experiencing frequent and moderate to severe abdominal pain (in particular, after eating a meal), a physician should be contacted. If the physician determines that gallstones are the cause of the problem and must be removed, gallbladder surgery may be required. Gallbladder surgery is the most common type of surgery in the United States. Gallbladder surgery is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or laparoscopy. Gallbladder surgery can be performed by traditional methods or laparoscopically.

With laparoscopic gallbladder surgery the surgeon makes three small incisions around the gallbladder and another one in the stomach area. An instrument called a “laparoscope” with a light and a camera attached to the end is inserted into one of the incisions. The surgeon inserts other surgical instruments through the other incisions made. Using these instruments the gallbladder is safely removed from its location and pulled out through the last hole, the one in the abdomen, which is the largest. Patients usually recover very quickly after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Traditional gallbladder surgery is sometimes used when the surgeon feels it’s best not to remove the gallbladder with a laparoscope. With traditional surgery a 3″-5″ incision is made near the gallbladder and the doctor takes it out directly, without the need of a video camera or small tools. This method is referred to as an ‘open cholecystectomy’.

After gallbladder surgery the patient usually receives pain medication. Depending on the nature of the patient’s work, the patient may be able to return to work within a few days. The doctor will provide the patient with advice on when it’s safe to return to work. Once the gallbladder has been removed the body’s ability to digest some fat substances may be affected. The patient will eventually determine which foods cause digestive problems (sometimes through trial and error). Additionally, the doctor may prescribe or recommend that the patient take antacids for a short period of time or on an as-needed basis after gallbladder surgery.