Has anyone ever had gallbladder surgery? Enlighten me please.?

Answer:
Here is my answer from a similar question:First, about 25% of the population have gallstones. Only about 2% have problems with acute cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder). Of those 2%, most will be referred for surgery which is mostly curative.The common practice is to remove the gallbladder laparoscopically. The procedure consists of four small incisions: a 10-12mm incision in made in the bellybutton (umbilicus) and a camera is inserted. Then another 10 mm port is placed to the left side of the xypoid process (the most inferior portion of the sternum or breastbone). Two more 5 mm ports are placed below the rib cage on the right.The operation usually takes 45 min to 2 hours. In addition some surgeons will do an "intraoperative choleangiogram" - this is a study where the shoot dye into the biliary tract and look for trapped stones. If they find them, the will either retrieve them (common bile duct exploration) or refer you for an ERCP (endoscopic retrograde choleangio-pancreatography) where the sedate you, place a scope in your mouth and open the duct that connect the biliary tract with the digestive tract or small bowel.The standard is that patients either go home 8-12 hours after the operation or more likely the next day. You will likely be able to do light house work for the next two week. Most people are out of work 2-4 weeks while they heal. You will not be able to drive while you are on pain medications.On occasion the procedure can not be completed or even attempted via the camera. This requires an "open" procedure. This is a much more painful procedure with a longer recovery. Typically it is about 50% longer then the laparoscopic surgery.While you will not generally have any additional dietary restrictions, most patients find that they will have trouble (i.e. abdominal pain) if the consume a meal rich in fat the first few weeks after surgery. For some, they are never able to tolerate fatty meals, but most do.Gallbladders themselves don't explode from gallstones. Unless they become infected (gangrenous gallbladder) you typically just have intermittent pain until the gallbladder is removed.Despite surgery, it is possible for stone to form in the hepatic ducts. This is a difficult problem to resolve since the gallbladder is already gone. This is usually treated with ERCP as needed. Sometimes medications can help, but this is a rare occurrence.
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I have never had it, but I saw a gallbladder surgery today. The one I saw, the doctors didn't open up the patient. They can make small incisions and use a small camera to guide them in the surgery. It is called Laparoscopic surgery and it is minimally invasive.

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