Gallbladder Surgery
Turn to a general surgeon at VHC Health when you have signs of a gallbladder problem, such as gallstones that may need surgery.
Your Gallbladder & Gallstones
The gallbladder is on your right side, below your liver. It’s a small organ that’s part of your digestive system and stores liver bile to help digest and absorb fat from foods in the small intestines.
If you have bile with too much cholesterol, bilirubin or not enough bile salt, you may develop gallstones. Gallstones may also form if the gallbladder does not empty completely.
Gallstone Signs
Gallstone symptoms can be similar to other digestive conditions. Small gallstones may pass through your body on their own. You should see a doctor as soon as possible for a gallbladder attack if you have:
- Fever
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Indigestion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe upper abdomen pain
Your doctor may recommend gallbladder removal if gallstones cause symptoms or block your bile ducts.
Modern, Safer Gallbladder Surgery
Feel confident when you have a cholecystectomy, also known as gallbladder surgery, at VHC Health. Our experienced surgeons have advanced fellowship training and use minimally invasive and robotic surgery techniques to perform gallbladder surgery. General surgeons routinely use modern technologies and methods, including indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging during gallbladder surgery, to improve your outcome and minimize complications. This special imaging feature turns your bile ducts green, allowing your surgeon to see the bile ducts in real time.
Gallbladder surgery is usually a same-day surgery, meaning you’ll go home the day you have surgery. Your general surgeon will use a minimally invasive, small “keyhole” incision for your surgery. That means you’ll have less pain, a quicker recovery, and may be able to return to your normal activity within days.
