Are you one of the unfortunate individuals forced to endure gallstones? Gallstones don’t go away on their own, unfortunately. Over time, they can cause pain and other symptoms.
At Healthy Life Bariatrics, Dr. Moeinolmolki can diagnose gallstones and gallstone-related problems. The recommended treatment for gallstones, and gallstone pain, is gallbladder surgery. In fact, 80% of people who experience gallstones will eventually require surgical intervention.
In most cases, Dr. Moein will perform gallbladder surgery laparoscopically.
How Does Dr. Moein Perform Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
After making the incisions, Dr. Moein uses laparoscopic tools to gain a clear view of your gallbladder. The gallbladder is removed, and the surgical sites are closed. You will be provided with general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep through the procedure. You won’t feel any pain and will wake up following the surgery.
Is Gallbladder Removal Surgery Always Necessary?
If you have gallbladder stones and they don’t cause you pain, you may not require surgery. Surgical intervention is not always necessary when gallstones are present.
When gallstones cause you chronic pain or when one of your bile ducts becomes obstructed, surgery is recommended. We refer to gallstone blockages as gallbladder attacks. You’ll know them by a sensation in your belly that mimics being stabbed. The pain can last for hours, but surgery can help.
Gallbladder Removal Surgery for Special Cases
Dr. Moeinolmolki may recommend surgical intervention involving gallbladder removal to guard against problems related to the sickle cell or a blood disorder. This can be the case even if you do not currently experience symptoms.
What if We Don’t Treat Gallstones?
Gallstones can lead to serious problems if left to progress. Several issues can develop, including cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder), pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), and cholangitis (inflamed bile ducts).
Before Dr. Moeinolmolki can recommend surgery for gallbladder pain and other issues, several tests are necessary to determine the effects gallstones may be having on your health.
Tests for gallbladder issues include blood draws, ultrasound imaging, MRI HIDA (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid) scan, and endoscopic ultrasonography. These advanced imaging devices can also identify the location of your gallbladder issues and often the severity of the condition.
Can We Use Other Treatments Instead of Gallbladder Surgery?
Dietary changes can lead to diminished gallbladder symptoms. Cutting back on fatty foods can help, but not always. Your doctor may recommend medication to dissolve the gallstones, but they could always return.
Gallstone surgery is the only treatment that offers permanent results, which overwhelmingly positive results.
What is Recovery Like Following Gallbladder Surgery?
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery offers less pain and faster healing than more open-type surgeries. Most patients return home from our Healthy Life Bariatrics surgical center on the same day.
In most cases, you can expect to return to your normal activities within two weeks.
Are There Risks to Gallbladder Surgery?
You can live just fine without a functioning gallbladder. Your liver makes bile well enough on its own. The bile created by your liver will eventually find its way to your small intestine for proper digestion, even if your gallbladder is removed.
While gallbladder surgery is common and safe, risks are present.
You may have problems with anesthesia, develop an infection, or experience bile leakage. Bleeding could result in blood clots or damage to your bowels.
All surgeries come with risks. That is why you must put significant effort into finding a reputable general surgeon. When you choose Healthy Life Bariatrics for your general surgical needs, you are in good hands with Dr. Babak Moeinolmolki.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Moein by calling us throughout Los Angeles, Encino, or Glendale, California – (310)694-4486.