Go the Laparoscopic Way for Removal of Your Gallbladder!

Why is Surgery for Gallbladder Removal required?
The gall bladder is located in the upper region of your belly and it stores bile, an enzyme produced by the liver. This enzyme helps in breaking down fatty foods. Surgery is required to be performed if your gallbladder develops gallstones. Gallstones are said to occur due to an imbalance in the constituents that make up bile and their occurrence cannot be prevented in any way. The gallstones obstruct the flow of bile from the gallbladder leading to its swelling and causing acute abdominal pain, indigestion or vomiting and sometimes fever. The most effective line of treatment in such cases is surgery. Instead of an open surgery, the surgical procedure that is normally preferred is referred to as laparoscopic cholecystectomy or laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder stones.

What is involved in Laparoscopic Surgery for Gallbladder Stones?
Several small incisions are made in the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to create an air pocket which enables the surgeon to view the area clearly. A lighted scope is inserted by the surgeon through an incision near the belly button and this is attached to a video camera. Surgical instruments are inserted through other incisions to remove the gallbladder by the surgeon who is guided in his procedure by a video monitor. The surgical procedure is done under the effect of a general anesthesia. Post-surgery, the flow of bile is directed from the liver into the small intestine through the common bile duct. However, with the removal of gallbladder, bile cannot be stored between meals but this does not pose much of a problem in most of the patients.

Why do People Prefer Laparoscopic Surgery for Gallbladder Stones?
People choose laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder stones because of the following advantages offered by this procedure:
• Small incisions in the abdomen are required for this surgical procedure as against a six to seven inch incision needed in the open surgery.
• Post-operative pain is minimal
• Recovery is faster as compared to open surgery
• You can leave the hospital faster; mostly on the same day or the next day
• You can resume your normal activities after a fortnight while in an open surgery the recovery period lasts for about six to eight weeks

Living minus the Gallbladder
You can lead a normal life after the removal of your gallbladder. The quantity of bile produced by your liver will not be affected in any way. The only difference is that the bile will not be stored in the gallbladder; instead it will drip on a continuous basis in your digestive system. Choose the laparoscopic surgical procedure and eat a healthy and balanced diet post-surgery and you will not be affected by the non-existence of your gallbladder!