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It's easy to get the care you need.See a Premier Physician Network provider near you. Unless you’ve felt the stabbing pain of gallstones, most likely you’ve never given your gallbladder a second thought. But this small organ can trigger big problems. Learn the signs and symptoms of gallbladder trouble, and when it’s time to seek a surgeon’s advice. What Is the Gallbladder And What Does It Do?The gallbladder is a small, pouchlike organ in the upper right part of your abdomen (belly). The gallbladder collects and stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fatty foods. Why Does Your Gallbladder Need To Be Removed?You may need gallbladder surgery if you have pain or other symptoms caused by gallstones —small stonesthat can form in the gallbladder. They can block the flow of bile and irritate the gallbladder. Common symptoms of gallbladder problems include:
The good news? You don’t need a gallbladder to live, so if it’s causing severe problems, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove it. You may need gallbladder surgery if you have pain or other symptoms caused by gallstones. How Is the Gallbladder Removed?There are two ways of removing the gallbladder. Both are performed under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep and pain-free during the operation. Talk with your health care provider about which one is right for you:
Sometimes a laparoscopic procedure turns into an open one during the operation if your surgeon can’t see your gallbladder clearly or remove it safely. If you’re scheduled for a laparoscopy, talk with your doctor ahead of time about the risk of it becoming an open procedure. What Are the Risks of Gallbladder Removal?Gallbladder removal surgery is considered a standard, safe procedure. Complications of laparoscopic surgery are rare. But, like any type of surgery, there’s a risk of complications, which can include:
Ask your doctor about the benefits and risks of surgery before your operation. How Long Does It Take To Recover From Gallbladder Surgery?Your recovery time will depend on which procedure you had.
It's easy to get the care you need.See a Premier Physician Network provider near you. Sources: National Health Service; Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgery; Medline Plus Small Steps: Break Up Your Meals To help manage ulcerative colitis symptoms, eat more frequent, smaller meals. What happens if you wait too long to get your gallbladder removed?You may wonder how long can you put off gallbladder surgery. We don't want to scare you. However, if not managed in time, it can cause severe issues, like sepsis, jaundice, or cancer.
Is it always necessary to remove the gallbladder?The good news? You don't need a gallbladder to live, so if it's causing severe problems, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove it. You may need gallbladder surgery if you have pain or other symptoms caused by gallstones.
How long can someone live without their gallbladder?An individual can live a sound and healthy life even without a gallbladder. This doesn't leave any impact on life expectancy. The only thing that needs to be considered is the diet plan after the gallbladder removal surgery to help you live a longer and healthy life.
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