Gallstones affect up to 15% of Americans. Gallstones and other gallbladder disorders may warrant gallbladder surgery to relieve unpleasant symptoms and restore your quality of life. At privately owned Central Florida Surgical Specialists in Kissimmee, Florida, general surgeon Francisco Halili, MD, FACS, and his team use the most advanced state-of-the-art surgical techniques to safely remove your gallbladder and get you on the road to recovery quickly. To find out more, schedule a consultation with Central Florida Surgical Specialists by phone today.

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What is the gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is an organ located just beneath your liver. Its job is to store bile, a substance your liver makes to help digest fat. The gallbladder releases bile through the bile ducts into your small intestine. 

What are gallbladder diseases?

The most common gallbladder diseases are gallbladder inflammation, gallstones, congenital defects, polyps, tumors, and infections. 

Gallstones can become lodged in the neck of your gallbladder or bile ducts, plugging the ducts and preventing bile from exiting when it needs to. This can cause gallbladder distention or inflammation.

Gallbladder diseases can lead to many other complications if left untreated. If you have gallbladder disease, your doctor might recommend removing the gallbladder, as you can safely live without it. Bile has other ways of reaching your small intestine to aid in digestion.

What are the symptoms of gallbladder disorders?

If you have a gallbladder disease, you may experience the following signs or symptoms:

  • Intermittent abdominal pain
  • Steady pain near your upper right abdomen
  • Severe pain that radiates to your upper back
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pain when breathing
  • Fever or chills
  • Gas or abdominal discomfort
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Jaundice
  • Dark-colored urine or light-colored stools
  • Blood pressure drops or a rapid heartbeat

After reviewing your medical history and symptoms, completing an exam, and using ultrasound or other diagnostic imaging, Dr. Halili lets you know if removing your gallbladder is the best treatment option for you. 

He might recommend surgery if you have large gallbladder polyps, gallstones, or inflammation resulting from gallstones. Gallbladder removal helps prevent new gallstones from forming.

What should I expect during gallbladder surgery?

To prepare for gallbladder surgery, follow Dr. Halili’s presurgical instructions. He may ask you to avoid eating and drinking for several hours prior to surgery or stop taking supplements and medications that increase the risk of bleeding.

You’re placed under general anesthesia, so you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Dr. Halili uses a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach whenever possible to remove your gallbladder with small incisions and a tiny video camera. The procedure takes about 1-2 hours. Dr. Halili closes your incisions and takes you to a recovery area.

What happens after the procedure?

You’ll likely go home the day of surgery. but will need a friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you for a night. 

Full recovery from laparoscopic gallbladder surgery takes about a week. but you might return to work after several days. Recovery after open gallbladder surgery might take up to 4-6 weeks. 

If you experience symptoms of gallstones or other forms of gallbladder disease, schedule an appointment with Central Florida Surgical Specialists by phone today.