09
Feb
Gallbladder problems and why surgery may be recommended
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver. When you eat fatty food, the gallbladder contracts to release this fluid into the small intestine. Bile helps your body break down and absorb fats. So, the gallbladder plays an important role in the digestive process. Problems with the gallbladder are common, but they do not always require surgery or the removal of this organ.
Do I need my gallbladder?
While important, the gallbladder is not an essential organ. Dr. Shanthan Ganesh has performed gallbladder removal surgery on many patients from across the North Adelaide, South Australia area who go on to lead very long, happy, and healthy lives. Their bodies learn to adjust to the loss of the gallbladder. Without it, the liver that produces bile simply releases this digestive fluid directly into the small intestine.
What are the most common gallbladder problems?
The Gastroenterological Society of Australia reports that up to 25% to 30% of Australians aged 50 and older have gallstones. These hard deposits of bile are often “silent” and do not produce symptoms. However, gallstones may require treatment if they become lodged in the bile duct and block the flow of this fluid. When this happens, patients may experience gallbladder attacks marked by a sudden and intensifying pain, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and indigestion.
Other gallbladder problems treated by Dr. Ganesh include:
- Gallbladder inflammation or infection (cholecystitis), most often caused by gallstones.
- Gallstone pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when a gallstone blocks the pancreatic duct.
- Large polyps that may turn into gallbladder cancer.
- Gallbladder cancer.
- Poor function and persistent pain, bloating, and other symptoms even without gallstones.
What are my treatment options?
Treatments vary depending on your symptoms and diagnosis. We may recommend “watchful waiting” to be monitored for symptoms or any changes, such as new and intensifying pain in the upper right abdomen. For mild symptoms and gallbladder attacks, dietary and lifestyle changes can help with the frequency of symptoms. If conditions like gallstones do not get better with these changes or if other complications arise, you may need gallbladder removal surgery. In fact, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most common treatment for symptomatic gallstones.
What is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
Cholecystectomy refers to the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Open cholecystectomy involves removing the gallbladder through an opening or incision on the right side under the ribs. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a less invasive alternative. Dr. Ganesh is trained in many minimally invasive techniques. Performed through small incisions with special surgical tools, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with less post-surgical discomfort, shorter hospital stays, a faster recovery, and a lower risk of infection when compared to “traditional” open surgery. It also supports precise treatment and optimal surgical outcomes.
What can I expect after my gallbladder is removed?
As your body adjusts to bile flowing directly into the small intestine, it is not unusual to experience digestive changes. For instance, you may have temporary gas, cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. It’s important to follow any instructions provided by the office of Dr. Shanthan Ganesh. These instructions include guidance on diet. We recommend easy-to-digest food. Avoid fatty, fried, and caffeinated food and beverages as they can increase stomach acid. You may introduce some of these food back into your diet, little by little, over time. Smaller and more frequent meals are also advised as your body adjusts to these changes.
For more information on gallbladder treatment, contact our North Adelaide, SA office at 08 81646727 today.
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Dr Shanthan Ganesh MBBS, BSc(med), FRACS, MMIS
Dr Shanthan Ganesh, MBBS, BSc(med), FRACS, MMIS, is a highly respected Colorectal and General Surgeon with over a decade of experience. He graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2001, completed his FRACS in 2009, and further specialised in colorectal surgery through a prestigious fellowship.
Dr Ganesh is renowned for his expertise in minimally invasive techniques, ensuring swift recovery and optimal outcomes for his patients. A Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Adelaide, he is dedicated to educating future doctors. His humanitarian efforts, including tsunami relief work in Samoa, underscore his commitment to compassionate care.
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