What is cholecystectomy?
Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. This is a small organ located beneath the liver that stores bile and releases it into the intestine during digestion. When gallstones form or chronic inflammation develops, the gallbladder stops functioning normally, causing pain, nausea, and discomfort after eating.
Please note! The gallbladder is not a vital organ. After its removal, the liver continues to produce bile, which no longer collects in a reservoir but flows directly into the small intestine. Most patients adapt to these changes within a few months and return to their usual lifestyle.
Indications for cholecystectomy
The decision to perform surgery is made by the doctor based on the clinical picture and examination results. Surgical treatment is recommended in the following cases:
- symptomatic gallstone disease — pain in the right upper abdomen, especially after fatty food, nausea, discomfort after eating;
- acute or chronic cholecystitis — inflammation of the gallbladder;
- biliary colic — episodic pain caused by a stone moving through the bile ducts;
- gallbladder polyps that require monitoring or removal;
- impaired bile outflow, accompanied by yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- fever combined with abdominal pain, which may indicate inflammation of the bile ducts.
The final decision on surgical treatment is made after examination. The doctor evaluates the indications and possible contraindications individually.
Tip: if symptoms have already appeared, do not delay seeing a surgeon — an elective operation is always safer and easier to tolerate than an emergency one.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
At Helyos Medical Center, gallbladder removal is performed laparoscopically in the vast majority of cases (99%). This is a minimally invasive method: the surgeon accesses the operative field through several small punctures in the abdominal wall.
The laparoscopic approach has clear advantages over open surgery:
- minimal tissue trauma;
- less pain after the operation;
- short hospital stay (usually 1–3 days);
- quick return to daily activity;
- no noticeable scars.
Open surgery is performed only in rare cases — with complex anatomy, significant adhesions, or other individual indications. The doctor discusses the choice of surgical technique with the patient in advance and explains all the details.
The cost of cholecystectomy at Helyos Medical Center can be clarified at a consultation. The price depends on the surgical method and the scope of preoperative examination.
Preparing for cholecystectomy
Before the operation, the patient undergoes a comprehensive examination. This usually includes:
- ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs;
- complete blood count and urinalysis;
- blood chemistry panel (assessing liver and pancreatic function);
- coagulation studies;
- electrocardiogram;
- if necessary — computed tomography or ERCP.
In addition, patients must follow a gentle diet and avoid eating for 12 hours before surgery. Before the operation, a consultation with the anesthesiologist is held, during which the doctor selects the optimal type of anesthesia and explains the details of preparation for anesthesia.
Postoperative period and rehabilitation
After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the patient remains in the Helyos Medical Center hospital under the observation of doctors, usually for 1–2 days. Pain medication is prescribed if necessary.
After discharge, the at-home stage of recovery begins. The rehabilitation period after minimally invasive surgery takes on average 1–3 months. During this time it is recommended to:
- follow a gentle diet — small, frequent meals, limiting fatty and fried food;
- limit physical exertion, especially lifting heavy objects;
- perform simple therapeutic exercises as recommended by the doctor;
- take prescribed medications;
- attend follow-up check-ups regularly.
Most patients note that their quality of life improves noticeably after surgery: the pain disappears, digestion normalizes, and the constant feeling of discomfort goes away.
Possible complications and risks
Cholecystectomy is a well-studied operation with a predictable outcome. The doctors at Helyos Medical Center work according to modern European protocols and select the surgical approach based on the characteristics of each patient. A comprehensive preoperative examination allows the individual risks to be clarified and thorough preparation for surgery.
If you are experiencing pain in the right upper abdomen, have been diagnosed with gallstone disease, or are looking for where to have your gallbladder removed in Dnipro, book a consultation with a surgeon at Helyos Medical Center by calling 067 000 01 50. The doctor will perform an examination, order the necessary tests, and determine the further treatment plan.
