Am I a Candidate for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery? | El Paso TX

When considering your options for gallbladder surgery, it can be intimidating to research what is best for your case. This is why consulting with a bariatric specialist is best to understand the best options for gallbladder or gallstone removal such as laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.

What to Expect

Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is done to get rid of gallbladder and gallstones through a lot of little incisions in the abdomen. The surgeon in charge of this operation enlarges your abdomen with carbon dioxide or air to view the operation area properly.

The surgeon fixes a scope that is lighted on a video camera (laparoscope) which is inserted into one incision close to the belly button. The surgeon then uses a video monitor as a guide while inserting surgical instruments into the other incisions in order to be able to remove your gallbladder.

Before the removal of the gallbladder, you might need to have a special X-ray procedure done. This procedure is called intraoperative cholangiography and it shows the inside of the bile ducts. A minimum of 2 hours of general anesthesia is needed to carry out this surgery.

After the surgery, bile flows from the liver from the main bile duct and takes into the small intestine. Because the gallbladder has been taken out, the body will not be able to be to store bile after meals. In most cases, this doesn’t affect digestion.

Schedule Your Consultation

Not everyone is a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. No matter what information you read online, the absolute best way of finding out whether or not laparoscopic surgery is the right choice is to schedule an in-person 1-on-1 consultation with our experienced laparoscopic surgeon in El Paso today.