TheGeeze
Member Of The Month - 07/2008
Joined: 20 May 2008
Posts: 533
Location: Magnolia, TX
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 Posted: 07/02/08 - 16:58 Post subject: |
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The surgery is very common and relatively safe.
Gall bladder surgery is done while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). The procedure is most commonly done using a small video camera called a laparoscope. If this is the case, the surgeon makes about 4 small cuts in the belly area. The laparoscope is passed through these small cuts. Carbon dioxide will be passed into the belly area so that the abdomen is lifted up. This provides more space for the surgeon to work.
The surgeon identifies the vessels and duct going to the gallbladder and cuts them. This allows the gallbladder to be removed.
In complicated cases, an open cholecystectomy may be performed. A larger surgical cut is made just below the ribs on the right side of the abdomen. As with laparoscopic surgery, the vessels and ducts going to the gallbladder are identified, clipped, and cut. The gallbladder is removed.
After surgery, the wounds are closed.
Laparoscopic surgery often has a lower rate of complications, a shorter hospital stay, and better cosmetic results than the open procedure.
For open gallbladder removal, you will generally need about 2 weeks for recovery.
For laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, your hospital stay is likely to be shorter, and you may be home within 24 hours. Your recovery time is likely to be shorter as well.
Relax. Everything will be fine. |
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