Your gallbladder stores bile, a substance that helps digest fat. Though small, your gallbladder may be a source of ongoing abdominal pain and discomfort. The board-certified team of general surgeons at Surgical Specialists of Greater NY in New York City perform laparoscopic surgery to remove the gallbladder for those experiencing gallbladder disease. To schedule an evaluation, call the office on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Astoria area of Queens, or Bayside neighborhood in Flushing, or request an appointment online.
Gallbladder
What is the gallbladder?
Your gallbladder is a pear-shaped sac located in your upper abdominal area under your liver. Its primary function is to collect and store the bile made in your liver. Bile is a digestive substance that helps break down the fat in the food you eat.
Gallbladder problems are common and lead to symptoms that affect your quality of life. Though your gallbladder has a specific function, you can live without it.
What is gallbladder disease?
Gallbladder disease is a general term that includes many conditions that affect the structure or function of the gallbladder. Types of gallbladder disease include:
- Cholecystitis (inflammation)
- Cholelithiasis (gallstones)
- Abscess or gangrene
- Congenital defects
- Chronic acalculous gallbladder disease
- Tumors or polyps
Gallbladder disease may present in many ways, from mild abdominal discomfort after a fatty meal to severe persistent pain and a serious infection that leads to sepsis.
When do I need gallbladder surgery?
You may need gallbladder surgery when your gallbladder disease affects your quality of life. Gallstones are the most common reason people need gallbladder surgery.
You may also need gallbladder surgery if you have complications related to your gallstones, such as an abscess or serious infection like sepsis.
The team at Surgical Specialists of Greater NY performs surgery using the least invasive techniques for even the most challenging cases.
What happens during gallbladder surgery?
The experts at Surgical Specialists of Greater NY use laparoscopic techniques to perform gallbladder surgery. Your surgeon makes a small incision in your abdomen and inserts a laparoscope, which is a thin flexible tube with a light and camera that transmits video of your organs onto a computer monitor.
Your surgeon makes additional small incisions to insert the surgical instruments needed to remove your gallbladder and then closes your incisions.
After the procedure, you go to the recovery area for monitoring. You may then be sent home or your surgeon may admit you to the hospital for an overnight stay for continued care.
You need to arrange to have someone get you home after gallbladder surgery and plan to take it easy for the next few days.
How long is recovery following gallbladder surgery?
With laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, most people recover within a week. Your surgeon schedules routine follow-up appointments after the procedure to monitor the incisions and healing process.
You shouldn’t have any digestive problems after gallbladder surgery. Your liver takes over the function of the gallbladder and secretes bile into your small intestine when needed.
To schedule your gallbladder surgery consultation, call Surgical Specialists of Greater NY or use the online booking button.