Cholecystectomy
Description
Gallstones can accumulate in the gall bladder which is a like a muscular bag under the right side of the liver. This normally produces bile which aids digestion of fats but occasionally, stones form, which may then cause an obstruction, leading to inflammation, infection or sometimes gangrene of the gall bladder.
This can happen suddenly (acute), causing severe pain when the gall bladder may need to be removed as an emergency or happen repeatedly and perhaps with milder episodes which may produce intermittent episodes of pain (chronic). This usually requires an elective (planned) operation of the gall bladder.
These days, this procedure is usually done through key hole surgery as the recovery times are much quicker but if there are complications, such as further stones elsewhere, then a more traditional approach with a fully open wound will still be used.
Medical Facts
There may be a noticable inability to digest and therefore tolerate fatty foods causing increase flatulence and a change in bowel habit if fatty foods are eaten.
How You Will Feel:
Immediate pain will be controlled using various pain killers, either through injections or an infusion through a "drip".
Thereafter, tablets can be used for 1-2 weeks according to need.
Single Day In-patient Care
How Long Will you stay in Hospital after your Cholecystectomy?