Gallbladder surgery: Just the Facts

1. Why we do it
   You’ve been told you need a cholecystectomy because of symptomatic gallstones (or an inflamed gallbladder). As your surgeon I perform laparoscopic robotic assisted cholecystectomy most of the time — that’s 4 small-incision operation that removes the gallbladder and typically resolves pain and bile-related attacks. It’s one of the most common operations in adult surgery; over a million are done annually in the U.S., so there’s a large body of experience and predictable outcomes. NCBI

2. What the operation involves.
   Under general anesthesia I make four small abdominal incisions (5–12 mm), introduce a camera and instruments, identify the cystic duct and artery, divide them, and remove the gallbladder through one port. The operation usually takes 20–45 minutes for routine cases. Occasionally inflammation or prior surgery forces a longer procedure, and, in very rare cases, conversion to an open operation; that’s uncommon but planned for. Preop testing often includes an ultrasound, routine labs and occasionally an MRCP if the bile duct is a concern.

3. Recovery and timeline.
   Most patients go home the same day or after an overnight stay. Pain is generally modest and controlled with oral meds; walking the day of surgery and early eating as tolerated speeds recovery. Most people return to desk work in 3–7 days and to more strenuous activity in 2–4 weeks depending on job and symptoms. Bowel irregularity and mild shoulder pain are common early and usually resolve.

4. Risks and benefits (what I tell my patients).
   Benefit: eliminates gallstone pain and reduces the risk of recurrent attacks, cholecystitis and complications like pancreatitis. Risks (uncommon): bile duct injury, bleeding, infection, retained stones in the common bile duct, anesthesia issues, and very rarely need for open conversion. The overall complication rate is low and the laparoscopic/robotic approach shortens recovery. If you had prior stones in the common duct, we may need an ERCP before or after surgery, but this is uncommon in the outpatient setting.

5. Closing & practical advice.
   Prepare by arranging a ride home, stopping certain medicines as instructed, and optimizing conditions like diabetes control if present. Bring up any persistent heartburn or jaundice before surgery — these change planning. If you have questions about diet afterwards: most people eat a normal diet quickly, but initially choose smaller, lower-fat meals until your digestive system settles.