Gallbladder Surgery in Johnson City, Tennessee

Sometimes the gallbladder can become inflamed, infected, or blocked. If these ailments occur, you may either be hospitalized due to urgency, or your primary care physician may suggest cholecystectomy, or gallbladder removal surgery.

Our board-certified general surgeons specialize in gallbladder surgery at Premier Surgical Lawson Group. To schedule a consultation at our surgery center in Johnson City, TN,  please call (423) 975-5650.

What Does the Gallbladder Do?

Your gallbladder is an organ that stores bile to help the body digest fat. While it performs an important function, it is not absolutely necessary. Other parts of the body can help bile reach the small intestine in the gallbladder’s absence.

Symptoms of a Diseased Gallbladder

The following symptoms could be an indication of an inflamed or infected gallbladder:

• Pain in the upper right abdomen
• Tenderness in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever

These symptoms may be more pronounced after eating a high-fat or large meal.

What Happens When a Gallbladder is Diseased?

Though it may depend on the disease, most solutions to gallbladder disease treatment involve surgical removal of the gallbladder. Common types of gallbladder diseases are:

• Cholecystitis: This is the inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Gallstones: Much like kidney stones, a hardened deposit may form in the gallbladder, which can cause pain because of inflammation.
• da Vinci Gallbladder Surgery: Gallbladder surgery can be done using open surgery (through one large incision) or minimally invasively (through a few small incisions or one belly button incision) using da Vinci Surgery
• Gallbladder Polyps: Non-cancerous tumors or growths may form in the gallbladder. Depending on the severity, this may need to be surgically removed.
• Gallbladder Cancer: Though very rare, gallbladder cancer still happens, and isn’t commonly detected due to infrequent testing.

Removing a Diseased Gallbladder (Cholecystectomy)

During minimally invasive gallbladder surgery, surgeons remove the gallbladder with precision instruments through either a small incision in the belly button or a few small incisions. One of the instruments used has a small camera attached to it, which allows the surgeon to take pictures inside the body to guide the operation.

Lifestyle Changes After a Cholecystectomy

For the first few weeks, it is recommended that patients limit their intake to foods low in fat. A normal diet may be resumed after this period has passed. Most patients only notice minimal changes to their digestion, if any at all. But, In rare instances, digestive discomfort may be felt.

Benefits of a daVinci Cholecystectomy

There are many benefits to da Vinci surgery, including:

• Low rate of complications
• Minimal, if any, scarring from the surgery
• Minimal pain
• Shorter hospital stay
• Low rate of wound infection

Risks of Minimally Invasive Cholecystectomy

Every surgery comes with risks. If you are undergoing a minimally invasive Cholecystectomy, there are a few risks to keep in mind, such as:

• Potential injury to the small and large intestine
• Urinary retention
• Hernia at the incision site
• Potential bile duct injury

Consult one of our physicians if you believe you may be a candidate for a da Vinci Cholecystectomy procedure.