Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Overview

A cholecystectomy (koh-luh-sis-TEK-tuh-me) is a surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder — a pear-shaped organ that sits just below your liver on the upper right side of your abdomen. Your gallbladder collects and stores bile — a digestive fluid produced in your liver.

• A cholecystectomy is a common surgery, and it carries only a small risk of complications. In most cases, you can go home the same day of your cholecystectomy.
• A cholecystectomy is most commonly performed by inserting a tiny video camera and special surgical tools through four small incisions to see inside your abdomen and remove the gallbladder. Doctors call this a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• In some cases, one large incision may be used to remove the gallbladder. This is called an open cholecystectomy

Why it's done

A cholecystectomy is most commonly performed to treat gallstones and the complications they cause. Your doctor may recommend a cholecystectomy if you have:

Gallstones in the gallbladder (cholelithiasis)
Gallstones in the bile duct (choledocholithiasis)
Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
Large gallbladder polyps
Pancreas inflammation (pancreatitis) due to gallstones

Risks

A cholecystectomy carries a small risk of complications including :

Bile leak
Bleeding
Infection
Injury to nearby structures, such as the bile duct, liver and small intestine
Risks of general anesthesia, such as blood clots and pneumonia

Your risk of complications depends on your overall health and the reason for your cholecystectomy.

Results

Gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries can provide long-term weight loss. The amount of weight you lose depends on your type of surgery and your change in lifestyle habits. It may be possible to lose half, or even more, of your excess weight within two years.

In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery may improve or resolve conditions often related to being overweight, including:

Heart disease
High blood pressure
Obstructive sleep apnea
Type 2 diabetes
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Osteoarthritis (joint pain)