Q:
Do I need gallstone surgery?
A:
If your gallstones don’t cause symptoms, then you don’t need to have surgery. You only need it if a stone blocks one of your bile ducts.
As I just said, if a gallstone blocks your bile ducts, you need surgery. This is because it can cause a gallbladder attack. When you have it, you feel intense pain in the belly which may last for hours.
There are 2 types of gallstone surgery:
- Open surgery. The surgeon makes a 5-7 inches’ cut on your belly and take out your gallbladder. People who need this type of surgery usually have a bleeding disorder or severe gallbladder disease.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The doctor makes 4 small cuts in your belly and inserts a thin, flexible tube containing a tiny camera into your belly. This helps your doctor see clearly. Then, the doctor use special tools to remove the organ.
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