Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluids that form crystals inside the gallbladder The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ located on the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores and releases bile, a fluid made in the liver that helps in digestion. Gallstones can range from the size of a grain to that of a golf-ball. They block the bile duct causing an inflammation or infection of the gallbladder, which is medically known as Cholecystitis, and can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated.
The bile juice carries wastes like cholesterol and bilirubin which are made from the breakdown of hemoglobin present in the red blood cells which result in the formation of gallstones. When excess cholesterol present in the bile crystallizes, it prevents the gallbladder from emptying properly, causing sudden piercing pain in the abdomen. These gallstones then block the bile ducts in the biliary tract causing a gallbladder attack that can be extremely painful.
Cholesterol Stones
Pigment Stones
Even if you might not suffer from any sort of pain from gallstones initially, they might internally lead you to several complications which can include the following symptoms:
If you are going through any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you might consider suffering from the complications of a possible gallstone attack and should immediately seek medical assistance.
In this stage, the gallbladder appears normally without any adhesions. Although the conditions inside the gallbladder may favour possible gallstone formation, nothing is formed quite yet and you can take certain measures to prevent the potential risks of developing gallstone.
The presence of small gallstones in the gallbladder might not cause any significant signs and symptoms initially and certain cases might never require treatment. But, if you are suffering from complications like severe abdominal pain that lasts for almost two hours, nausea and vomiting, without making a delay you should immediately seek medical assistance. Consulting a gastroenterologist or an abdominal surgeon who specialises in the digestive system in this case would be the wisest decision to make.
Based on the conditions and severity of your symptoms, the doctor might treat your gallstones without giving it a surgical approach. However, a non-surgical procedure only works when you are having cholesterol stones. Depending upon the size of the gallstones, you might consider the following methods to get rid of them :
Though insurance is very beneficial to the patient, most of the patients opt for better amenities and services while using health insurance policies to cover the cost of a gallstone surgery. With insurance, the expenses of the treatment may go higher than expectations, but, as the sum is deducted from the insurance, the patient does not feel a burden on his/her shoulder.
The recovery rate is based on a number of given conditions like age, severity of the disease, response of the treatment on the patient’s body, and the type of surgery that the patient undergoes.
With laparoscopic surgery, the patients are usually able to leave the hospital on the same day that the surgical procedure takes place. However, in some cases, the patient might be advised for an overnight stay depending upon their condition. Patients are generally advised to stop performing physical activities like sports, swimming and heavy lifting for at least a week and are usually able to go back to their normal routine within two weeks.
While, in case of an open surgery, a patient has to stay in the hospital for about one to two days and is advised not to carry out any physical activities for a few weeks. It may take 6-8 weeks for a patient to recover fully and return back to performing daily activities.
Although rare, a person may develop abdominal symptoms even after going through a surgery to remove the gallbladder stones, and the signs of developing a postcholecystectomy syndrome may include stomach upset, nausea or vomiting, gas, diarrhea, bloating and persistent pain in the upper right abdomen. Considering the condition, chances of getting the condition back are rare. Typically, the gallstones might reappear within 3 years after going through the surgical procedure. However, one should take adequate measures and follow a healthy and balanced diet that contains refined carbohydrates, less calories and high fibre like that of fresh fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, fish and nuts such as peanuts and cashew reduce the risk of developing gallstones to a higher extent.
On the 7th of November, a 45-year-old woman came to us after complaining of severe abdominal pain for the past 5 days. After our doctor carried out a thorough diagnosis, it was found that the patient had a 20mm gallstone. Dr. Amol Gosavi explained everything about the problem very clearly to the patient. Based on his diagnosis, Dr. Gosavi approached the minimally-invasive laparoscopic procedure for the treatment.
Since the laparoscopic procedure is an advanced method of treatment, the surgery was completed smoothly and the patient was prepared for a discharge within the next 6-8 hours of undergoing the surgery. As the patient continues to recover, she has been constantly following up with the doctor ever since and has been properly following the post-operative instructions of the doctor.
Cities Where We Treat Gallstone
Q1. Will I have any digestive problems after a gallbladder removal surgery?
Normally, a person who has their gallbladder removed will not experience any digestive problems. However, they might face some difficulty in digesting fatty foods for the first month after the surgery. In such cases, it is advised to maintain a low-fat diet.
Q2. What should I eat after a gallbladder removal surgery?
People who go through a gallbladder removal surgery should avoid fatty, greasy or fried food, spicy food, carbonated beverages and any sort of alcoholic drinks.
Q3. Why does my poop smell so bad after gallbladder removal?
Large amounts of bile reaching the colon may cause irritation resulting in diarrhea with a yellow hue due to which some people might experience yellow diarrhea or smelly poop after a gallbladder removal surgery. The increased amount of bile salts can also make one’s bowel movements have a more potent smell as well.
Q4. Does a gallbladder removal shorten life expectancy?
Certainly not. A gallbladder removal surgery may rather increase your life-expectancy as your post-surgery habits force you to make a healthier dietary choice.
Every surgery at Pristyn Care is done using the most advanced medical technology and equipment. Pristyn Care ensures that a patient has a care-filled and hassle-free experience. Being one of the leading health tech startups in India dedicated to simplifying the surgical experience of every patient, we provide end-to-end facilities to our patients and give complete assistance in their treatment journey. You can book an appointment and get in touch with our doctors virtually from the comfort of your home or anywhere by dialing on the given numbers or by filling up the ‘Book Appointment’ form below.
During the initial consultation, the doctor will have a detailed discussion and examine the condition of your gallbladder. After a thorough assessment, the doctor will come up with the best treatment plan for you and take you through all the necessary steps to get your gallstones removed in the most efficient and effective way.