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Cholecystectomy: The surgical removal of your Gal Bladder peformed for treatment of Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gal bladder) or for very painful gal stones.  Read about Cholecystitis by using the Disease tab.

Cholecystectomies can be performed laparoscopically or open. In laparoscopy, very small incisions (called portals) are made on your abdomen (belly) and air is pumped into your abdomen allowing room for your surgeon to work and see with the use of a laparoscope (camera). Small instruments are used through these portals to remove your gal bladder. In comparison, a single larger incision is required in an open cholecystectomy. At this point in time, Laparoscopic cholecystectomies are much more commonly performed in comparison to open cholecystectomies. In general, open cholecystectomies are only peformed when something goes wrong with the laparoscopic surgery or your surgeon determines it is safer to make a larger incision and obtain better visualization of your anatomy.

Recovery from laparoscopic cholecystectomy is generally relatively quick (within a day or two). Some people have this performed as an outpatient (go home the same day as surgery)while others may stay a night or two in the hospital depending on any complications they may have with surgery or with recovery. Open cholecystectomies often require a longer recovery then laparoscopic surgery due to a much larger incisions and often more pain after surgery.