Surgical Removal Of The Gallbladder Or Gallstones
Around 80 per cent of people with gallstone symptoms will need surgery. Surgeons may remove your entire gallbladder , or just the stones from bile ducts.Techniques to remove the gallbladder include:
- laparoscopic cholecystectomy keyhole surgery. The surgeon makes a number of small incisions through the skin, allowing access for a range of instruments. The surgeon removes the gallbladder through one of the incisions
- open surgery the surgeon reaches the gallbladder through a wider abdominal incision. You might need open surgery if you have scarring from prior operations or a bleeding disorder.
Gallstones Can Be Dissolved With An Mtbe Injection
This nonsurgical treatment option involves injecting a solvent known as methyl tertiary-butyl ether into the gallbladder to dissolve the gallstones. According to research published in June 2015 in the journal Case Reports in Surgery, MTBE rapidly dissolves gallstones but there can be some serious side effects, such as severe burning pain. MTBE creates fumes, and if its not administered properly in a ventilated area, it could cause severe burning for the patient and operators, and even cause electrical fires. Inquire about your doctors level of experience with performing this procedure before getting this form of treatment.
Gallbladder Stones Health Tips
Apple Juice
According to scientific research, the gallstone formation’s risk factors can be reduced significantly if the patient consumes apple juice daily. Apple juice is proven to enhance the treatment for gallstones by softening them to pass out easily. Drinking apple juice is also beneficial for your small intestine, healing stomach ulcers and is considered suitable for diabetic patients.
Milk Thistle
It is a herbal medicine derived from milk thistle plant and is highly beneficial in treating gallbladder problems and liver conditions . Milk thistle is proven to help people with diabetes by lowering down the sugar levels in the blood. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar works as a cleansing agent in the body and works well in stabilizing acute gallbladder pain. Apple cider vinegar is also helpful for people with diabetes as it reduces sugar levels in the blood significantly. It is recommended to take 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar in warm water if you are experiencing pain in the gallbladderor biliary colic.
Placing Castor Oil Packs
This is considered one of the most ancient Chinese remedies to soothe gallbladder attack or gallbladder pain. The process involves placing clothes thoroughly soaked up in castor oil on the abdomen region to give immediate relief to the pain. This process only provides immediate relief and not a permanent solution.
Yoga & Stretching
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How To Dissolve Gallstones Naturally
Although there is no scientific evidence, many people try the following remedies, which they believe may help in dissolving gallstones naturally:
- Drinking lots of fresh fruit juice
- Using apple cider vinegar
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Avoiding saturated fats and refined sugars
Best treatment option for gallstones is surgical removal of gall bladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered gold standard for gallstones treatment
How To Remove Gallbladder Stone Without Operation: Is It Really Possible

By Sitaram Bhartia Team | October 13, 2018 | General Surgery | 2018-10-1315 March 2022
Nilesh Thapar, 27, was made aware of the presence of stones in his gallbladder when an abdominal ultrasound revealed the same. From that day on, he wondered how to remove gallbladder stones without operation.
He tried home remedies and homeopathy medicines but nothing worked.
One day when Nilesh experienced excruciating pain in the upper right part of his abdomen, he realized that he couldnt avoid proper medical treatment any further.
He sought advice for his condition from Dr. Amarchand S. Bajaj, Senior Laparoscopic Surgeon at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in Delhi.
Nilesh eagerly wanted to know options that didnt involve surgery and if there was any way to dissolve gallstones naturally.
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Can I Try Other Treatments First
You may be able to manage your symptoms for a short time by making changes to your diet. This includes cutting back on fatty foods. But dietary changes donât always help prevent gallbladder attacks.
If surgery isnât an option for you, your doctor can prescribe a medication to dissolve your gallstones. But this can take months or even years to work. And even if your gallstones do go away, thereâs a chance theyâll return.
Possible Gallbladder Surgery Complications
A small number of people have softer and more frequent stools after their gallbladder removal. This is because bile flows into the duodenum more often. These changes in bowel habits are usually temporary. Be sure, however, to discuss them with your health care provider.
Other complications from gallbladder surgery are rare. The most serious of these is injury to the bile ducts. An injured common bile duct can leak bile, causing pain, and possibly infection or liver damage. You may need one or more additional operations to repair the bile ducts. Fortunately, this is the least common complication of gallbladder surgery, and happens in fewer than one percent of all operations.
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Why Treatment For Gallstones Is Necessary
Besides alleviating symptoms, treatment for gallstones is necessary to avoid a progression that can result in severe conditions, such as acute cholecystitis, the condition in which the gallstone blocks the gallbladder ducts, causing the gallbladder to become inflamed and infected. Patients with acute cholecystitis are usually hospitalized and receive antibiotics, pain medication, and often surgery.
If you do not have symptoms, the most common treatment is to wait and see, because the risks outweigh the benefits for both medical and surgical treatments. If you have gallbladder symptoms, surgical treatments are preferred unless you are at high risk, and then drug treatments may be utilized.
If someone is symptomatic, we do recommend patients get the gallbladder taken out, says Nikhil Kumta, MD, an attending gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. is minimally invasive, so the risk of complications is low. But if people are unable to go through surgery, if someone is really old or really sick, there are different treatment options.
Here are seven alternatives to surgery:
Open Surgery To Remove The Gallbladder
You may have to have open surgery if keyhole surgery isn’t possible. You might also need open surgery if an unexpected complication happens.
Keyhole surgery may not always be recommended.
You doctor may tell you not to have keyhole surgery if you:
- are in the last 3 months of pregnancy
- are extremely overweight
- have an unusual gallbladder or bile duct structure that makes keyhole surgery difficult
If this is the case, you may have open surgery to remove the gallbladder. The medical name for this is an open cholecystectomy.
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No More Surgery For Large Gallstone Removal
The SpyGlass camera gives doctors a view inside the bile ducts that they have never really had until now. The camera is about the thickness of a human hair. |
With the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System, gallstone removal takes less than an hour and requires no incisions. SpyGlass is a small flexible tube with a light and a video camera at the end. The new technology is able to enter tiny areas such as bile ducts that larger scopes cant.
In the procedure, Ed Schafer, M.D., and Grant Hutchins, M.D., gastroenterologists at UNMC and its hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, insert the endoscope down the patients throat.
When properly situated in the bile duct, the doctors use a method called lithotripsy stepping on a pedal to send sound waves through a small wire, obliterating the gallstone that was lodged in a bile duct. The pieces of the gallstone can then be removed endoscopically.
Before SpyGlass, oftentimes surgery would be the only option, Dr. Schafer said. Now with the aid of SpyGlass, the stones can be broken up within the duct and removed avoiding the necessity of surgery.
The Nebraska Medical Center is the only hospital in Omaha with the new technology.
This is definitely cutting-edge technology, Dr. Schafer said. The technology is altering the way we diagnose and treat patients with liver, gallbladder and bile duct conditions.
Tool Improves Visualization
Grant Hutchins, M.D.
How Can Gallbladder Stone Be Removed
Gallbladder stones can only be taken out by surgically removing the gallbladder altogether.
Dr. Bajaj explained, We usually advise laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder. It is a minimally-invasive surgery which results in smaller, fewer cuts and a quicker recovery time so you have a shorter hospital stay.
Usually the patient is discharged within 24-36 hours of the surgery. You experience less pain and minimal scarring.
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What Happens To Gallstones If They Are Not Removed
If gallstones become lodged in a bile duct and cause a blockage, this eventually leads to serious life-threatening complications such as inflammation and infection of the bile ducts, pancreatitis, or cholecystitis . Moreover, if left untreated, it could increase the risk of gallbladder cancer.
How to flush out gallstones?
In most cases, a gallbladder cleanse involves eating or drinking a combination of olive oil, herbs, and some type of fruit juice for several hours. Proponents claim that gallbladder cleansing helps break up gallstones and stimulates the gallbladder to release them in the stool.
Is a 12mm gallstone big?
Some people can form one big stone, while others can have hundreds of small stones. Most often, gallstones have a diameter of 5 to 10 mm. Most people with gallstones have no symptoms. If symptoms are present, the most common early sign of gallstones is upper abdominal pain.
Is gallbladder surgery serious?
Gallbladder removal surgery is considered a safe procedure, but like any type of surgery, there is a risk of complications. Possible complications include: wound infection. leakage of bile into the belly.
Small Gallstones Can Be Broken Apart With Shock Waves

Another nonsurgical treatment for which gallstones must meet certain criteria is extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy . Although it is most commonly used to treat kidney stones, it can also be used on gallstones. The goal of the treatment is to break up, or fragment, gallstones by sending shock waves through the soft tissue of the body.
This method is only effective on solitary gallstones that are less than 2 centimeters in diameter, so fewer than 15 percent of patients are eligible for ECSWL. A case report published in 2017 in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports found a low success rate for ECSWL patients with multiple gallstones. Even when stones are fragmented, a diseased gallbladder may not expel the fragment.
According to research published in the October-December 2014 issue of the Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons, for this form of treatment, children may be the best candidates.
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What Happens If You Delay Gallbladder Surgery
by Dr. Albert Amini | Mar 16, 2021 | Gallbladder Surgery
The gallbladder is an important part of the body that holds bile for the liver. Bile is a substance that plays an important role in digestion. It helps break down fat into fatty acids, so your body can easily absorb the nutrients and eliminate the waste. Located near the liver and pancreas, your gallbladder is a small sack that remains full prior to eating. Before a meal, this small pouch is inflated with bile. When prompted by hormones from the body, it releases stored bile into the small intestine through important tubes called ducts. While the gallbladder aids with digestion, it is not vital, and we can safely remove the gallbladder without causing any severe side effects.
Our team at Arizona Premier Surgery in Chandler, Gilbert, or Scottsdale, AZ will discuss if you need gallbladder surgery. Please read through our blog to learn more about the common symptoms and why its important to schedule a consultation for your next steps.
Causes And Risk Factors For Gallstones
Gallstones are more common in women than in men. They are also more common in overweight people and people with a family history of gallstones.There is no single cause of gallstones. In some people, the liver produces too much cholesterol. This can result in the formation of cholesterol crystals in bile that grow into stones. In other people, gallstones form because of changes in other components of bile or because the gallbladder does not empty normally.
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How To Treat Gallstones Without Surgery
Gallstones can cause sharp, intense pain in the upper right part of the abdomen. This pain may radiate to your back and up to your shoulder blade. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored or gray stool, and diarrhea.
Talk with your doctor before trying to treat gallstones on your own. Your doctor can help you receive the correct diagnosis. They can also advise you on all of your treatment options. If you have yellowing of the eyes, fever or chills, and intense abdominal pain, seek medical care immediately.
What Are The Gallbladder Emergency Symptoms I Should Look For
Certain gallbladder conditions or issues require the removal of your gallbladder. Most often, what causes gallbladder attack symptoms is gallstones or cholelithiasis. Gallstones occur because of high cholesterol levels in your bile, increased bilirubin production , and decreased gallbladder function.
In addition to gallstones, other conditions, such as infection, cancer, a ruptured gallbladder, or gallstone pancreatitis, may require removing your gallbladder. All of these conditions cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms associated with gallbladder removal include:
- sharp stomach pain after eating
- severe abdominal pain that makes it difficult to stay still
- pain that radiates from the center of your stomach to right below your breastbone
- severe cramping
- loose or light brown stools
- dark-colored urine
You may wonder how long can you put off gallbladder surgery. We dont want to scare you. However, if not managed in time, it can cause severe issues, like sepsis, jaundice, or cancer. Our team will complete a thorough consultation and develop a treatment plan to meet your needs. Its better to schedule an appointment as soon as you notice symptoms, so you can avoid any complications. We can work with your insurance or set up a payment plan to ensure you receive the quality healthcare you need and deserve.
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Types Of Gallbladder Surgery
Doctors can remove your gallbladder in one of two ways:
Open surgery: During this procedure, your surgeon will make a 5- to 7-inch incision on your belly to take out your gallbladder. Youâll need open surgery if you have a bleeding disorder. You may also need it if you have severe gallbladder disease, are very overweight, or are in your last trimester of pregnancy.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Doctors also call this âkeyhole surgery.â Your surgeon doesnât make a big opening in your belly. Instead, they make four small cuts. They insert a very thin, flexible tube that contains a light and a tiny video camera into your belly. These help your surgeon see your gallbladder better. Next, theyâll insert special tools to remove the diseased organ.
For both types of surgery, youâll be given general anesthesia. This means youâll sleep through the procedure and wonât feel any pain while itâs being done.
Why Choose University Of Utah Health
Quality is one of the most important aspects of care at our institution. We are continually nominated as top in the nation for our high-quality care. We also bring together some of the top specialists in the surgical field.
At University of Utah Health, our surgeons are fellowship trained and committed to the highest standards of patient care.
We work directly with your primary care provider to get you the best care possible. We also follow up with you to make sure you are fully recovered.
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Lifestyle And Dietary Changes To Cure Gallstones
As gallstones are a lifestyle disorder, some simple yet effective changes can help treat the disorder as well as prevent it from recurring. Following an adequate diet favorable for the gallbladder is of utmost importance.
Some simple dietary tips for gallstone are:
- Follow a regular and reasonable meal timing- have small meals 3-4 times a day
- Your balanced diet should include plenty of fresh fruits and leafy vegetables.
- Do not eat food that contains saturated fats such as bacon, sausages, salami, cheese, etc
- Limit consumption of meat, fatty food, junk food, sweets, chocolate, bread, cakes, dairy products in quantity as well as frequency.
- You will also have to give up three things: processed sugar, and canned food.
Lifestyle tips for gallstone patients:
- Exercise regularly to keep body weight in check.
- Practice Surya Namaskar to enhance the functioning of vital organs.
- Incorporate simple yoga poses such as Cobra pose, Bow pose, Seated forward bend, etc in your fitness regime.
Does The Removal Of Gall Bladder Affect Person’s Health

However, your gallbladder is one organ you can live without, since an adequate amount of bile can flow out of your liver and through your bile ducts to the intestine without having to enter the gallbladder first. So most people do not have any problems eating or digesting food after having gallbladder removal surgery.
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Get To Know Gallstones
Gallstones are responsible for one of the most prevalent biliary disorders. Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gallbladder. The stones are mainly caused from the precipitation of either calcium salts or cholesterol in bile.The appearance of gallstones may vary depending on their types. Classification by compositions, there are 3 main types of gallstones:
Cholesterol gallstones:
The most common type of gallstone is called cholesterol gallstones, often appearing in chalk white or greenish-yellow due to undissolved cholesterol as the main component.
Pigment gallstones:
Pigment gallstones are dark brown or black stones containing bilirubin. Major causes might originate from the abnormalities of blood such as hemolytic anemia and liver diseases such as jaundice and cirrhosis.
Mixed gallstones:
Mixed gallstones are the mixture of both cholesterol and pigment gallstones with a sticky mud-like appearance. They typically arise secondary to the infection of the biliary tract, liver and pancreas.