Gallbladder removal surgery, or cholecystectomy, is a frequently performed procedure. If you’re hearing about it, you might be wondering, Where Is Your Gallbladder and what does it even do? This small but important organ plays a role in digestion, and understanding its location and function can help you understand why surgery might be recommended.
Your gallbladder is situated in the upper right section of your abdomen, nestled just beneath your liver. To be more precise, it lies directly under the liver, on the right side of your body, below your ribs. Think of it as residing in the upper right quadrant of your tummy. This pear-shaped organ, though small, is a vital part of your digestive system.
What is the Gallbladder’s Job?
The gallbladder’s primary function is to store bile. Bile is a fluid produced by your liver that is crucial for breaking down fats in the food you eat. After your liver produces bile, it travels through ducts to the gallbladder for storage. When you consume a meal, particularly one containing fats, your gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to aid in digestion.
You might be surprised to learn that you can live perfectly well without your gallbladder. This is why, if problems arise with this organ, removal is often a viable and recommended solution.
Why Gallbladder Removal Might Be Necessary
The most common reason for gallbladder removal surgery is the presence of painful gallstones. Gallstones are small, pebble-like formations that develop in the gallbladder due to an imbalance in the substances that make up bile.
Many people have gallstones without experiencing any symptoms. However, if gallstones block the flow of bile, they can cause irritation and inflammation of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis) or even the pancreas (acute pancreatitis). This blockage and inflammation can lead to a range of uncomfortable and sometimes severe symptoms, including:
- Sudden and intense abdominal pain, usually in the upper right or center of the abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
In the majority of these cases, gallbladder removal surgery is the most effective and long-term solution.
What Happens During Gallbladder Surgery?
There are two main surgical approaches for removing the gallbladder:
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Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Cholecystectomy: This is the more common method. It involves making several small incisions in your abdomen. Surgeons use specialized, thin instruments and a camera to visualize and remove your gallbladder.
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Open Cholecystectomy: This involves a single, larger incision in the abdomen to directly access and remove the gallbladder.
Laparoscopic surgery is preferred whenever possible because it typically results in a quicker recovery, shorter hospital stay, and smaller scars compared to open surgery. Both types of surgery are performed under general anesthesia, ensuring you are asleep and pain-free throughout the procedure.
Find out more about how gallbladder removal surgery is performed
Recovering After Gallbladder Removal
Recovery from keyhole gallbladder surgery is generally quite rapid. Most individuals are able to go home on the same day or the day after surgery. You can usually expect to resume most normal activities within about two weeks.
Open surgery requires a longer recovery period. Hospital stays can range from 3 to 5 days, and it may take 6 to 8 weeks to feel fully recovered.
Find out more about recovering from gallbladder removal surgery
Life Without a Gallbladder
Living without a gallbladder is entirely possible and does not typically impact your quality of life. Your liver continues to produce bile in sufficient quantities for digestion. The key difference is that bile flows directly into your digestive system from the liver instead of being stored and released by the gallbladder.
While you might have been on a special diet before surgery, it’s generally not necessary to maintain it afterward. Focus on eating a healthy, balanced diet. Some people may experience temporary digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea after surgery, but these symptoms usually subside within a few weeks. Identifying and avoiding specific foods that trigger these symptoms can be helpful.
Find out more about diet after gallbladder surgery
Risks of Gallbladder Removal Surgery
Gallbladder surgery is generally considered safe. However, like all surgical procedures, there are potential risks of complications. These can include:
- Wound infection
- Bile leakage
- Damage to bile ducts
- Blood clots
It’s important to discuss the benefits and risks of gallbladder removal surgery with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
Find out more about the complications of gallbladder removal surgery
Page last reviewed: 08 December 2021
Next review due: 08 December 2024
