The gallbladder is an important part of the body that holds bile for the liver. Bile is a substance that plays an important role in digestion. It helps break down fat into fatty acids, so your body can easily absorb the nutrients and eliminate the waste. Located near the liver and pancreas, your gallbladder is a small sack that remains full prior to eating. Before a meal, this small pouch is inflated with bile. When prompted by hormones from the body, it releases stored bile into the small intestine through important tubes called ducts. While the gallbladder aids with digestion, it is not vital, and we can safely remove the gallbladder without causing any severe side effects.
Our team at Arizona Premier Surgery in Chandler, Gilbert, or Scottsdale, AZ will discuss if you need gallbladder surgery. Please read through our blog to learn more about the common symptoms and why it’s important to schedule a consultation for your next steps.
What are the gallbladder emergency symptoms I should look for?
Certain gallbladder conditions or issues require the removal of your gallbladder. Most often, what causes gallbladder attack symptoms is gallstones or cholelithiasis. Gallstones occur because of high cholesterol levels in your bile, increased bilirubin production (a chemical created by the liver to eliminate old red blood cells), and decreased gallbladder function.
In addition to gallstones, other conditions, such as infection, cancer, a ruptured gallbladder, or gallstone pancreatitis, may require removing your gallbladder. All of these conditions cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms associated with gallbladder removal include:
- nausea
- sharp stomach pain after eating
- severe abdominal pain that makes it difficult to stay still
- pain that radiates from the center of your stomach to right below your breastbone
- severe cramping
- indigestion
- loose or light brown stools
- burping
- dark-colored urine
- vomiting
You may wonder how long can you put off gallbladder surgery. We don’t want to scare you. However, if not managed in time, it can cause severe issues, like sepsis, jaundice, or cancer. Our team will complete a thorough consultation and develop a treatment plan to meet your needs. It’s better to schedule an appointment as soon as you notice symptoms, so you can avoid any complications. We can work with your insurance or set up a payment plan to ensure you receive the quality healthcare you need and deserve.
What is the recovery time for gallbladder surgery?
Thanks to advancements in science, we can use minimally invasive methods to remove the gallbladder. This leads to a shorter and less complex recovery time. Our team at Arizona Premier Surgery uses the laparoscopic approach called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove your gallbladder. A laparoscopic procedure uses a small camera and small instruments to help us remove the gallbladder carefully. As a safe and effective procedure, patients only have a 2% chance of complications with gallbladder removal because of our advanced techniques and technology. Because of this, you have minimal side effects and discomfort, and generally, you can fully recover in about 1 – 2 weeks.
Please schedule a consultation with one of our expert general surgery Scottsdale, AZ doctors.
The gallbladder plays an important role in helping your body with digestion. Sometimes, a condition can necessitate the need for its removal. If you have started to experience any of the symptoms associated with gallbladder problems, we encourage you to reach out, which will help avoid any risk of complications. Please schedule a consultation at Arizona Premier Surgery in Chandler, Gilbert, or Scottsdale, AZ to learn more about this minimally invasive surgery and live more comfortably.