Gallbladder Removal: Before Your Surgery

What is gallbladder removal surgery?

Gallbladder surgery removes a gallbladder and gallstones, if you have any. It is also known as cholecystectomy (say "ko-luh-sis-TEK-tuh-mee"). The gallbladder stores bile made by your liver. The bile helps you digest fats. Your body will work fine without a gallbladder.

This surgery is usually done as a laparoscopic surgery. The doctor puts a lighted tube (scope) and other surgical tools through small cuts (incisions) in your belly. The belly is inflated with air. The air pushes the belly away from the organs so that the surgeon can see them clearly. The incisions leave scars that fade with time.

Most people go home the same day. You probably will feel better each day. Most people have only a small amount of pain after 1 week. If you have a desk job, you can probably go back to work in 1 to 2 weeks. If you lift heavy objects or have a very active job, it may take up to 4 weeks.

In some cases, open surgery is the best choice. In open surgery, the doctor makes a larger incision in your upper belly. If you have open surgery, you may stay in the hospital for a day or two. And it may take 4 to 6 weeks to get back to your normal routine.

How do you prepare for surgery?

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, ask your doctor if you should stop taking it before your surgery. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. These medicines increase the risk of bleeding.
• Don’t smoke, vape, or use other tobacco and nicotine products. These things increase surgery risks. Your doctor may require that you quit for a period of time before and after surgery. You have the best chance for a healthy recovery if you quit completely. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about quit programs and medicines.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.

What happens on the day of surgery?

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your surgery may be canceled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, take them with only a sip of water.
• Follow your doctor's instructions about when to bathe or shower before your surgery. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
• Take off all jewelry and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital or surgery center

• Bring a picture ID.
• The area for surgery is often marked to make sure there are no surgical site errors.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your anesthesia provider. You will be asleep during the surgery.
• The surgery will take about 1 to 2 hours.

When should you call your doctor?

• You have questions or concerns.
• You don't understand how to prepare for your surgery.
• You become ill before the surgery (such as fever, flu, or a cold).
• You need to reschedule or have changed your mind about having the surgery.