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Stomach Pain After Eating? Understand Gallbladder Stone Removal (Pitta Ki Pathri Ka Operation)
Do you often experience sharp pain in your upper stomach, especially after eating oily or fried foods? This could be due to gallstones (or "Pitta ki Pathri"). These are small, hard deposits that form in your gallbladder, a small organ that stores a digestive fluid called bile. While some gallstones don't cause problems, if they start causing pain or other issues, your doctor might recommend Gallbladder Stone Removal Surgery, also known as Cholecystectomy.
What is this procedure? What are the common types/methods?Your gallbladder helps with digestion, but it's not essential. If gallstones cause problems like pain or infection, removing the gallbladder is the most effective solution.
There are two main ways to remove the gallbladder:
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Keyhole Surgery):
- What it is: This is the most common and preferred method. The surgeon makes several small cuts (like tiny holes) in your belly. A thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) and special tiny instruments are inserted. The surgeon views the inside of your belly on a TV screen and carefully removes your gallbladder.
- Advantages:
- Smaller cuts: Less pain, tiny scars.
- Faster recovery: Most people go home the same day or next.
- Quicker return to daily activities.
- Less blood loss and lower risk of infection compared to open surgery.
- Open Cholecystectomy:
- What it is: This involves a single, larger cut (incision) in your upper right belly to remove the gallbladder.
- Advantages: May be needed in very complex cases, severe infections, or if there's extensive scarring from previous surgeries where keyhole surgery might be difficult.
When is this indicated?
Your doctor will usually suggest gallbladder removal if you have:
- Repeated attacks of severe pain in your upper belly (often after meals).
- Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) caused by gallstones.
- Gallstones blocking the bile duct, which can cause yellowish skin (jaundice) or severe stomach pain (pancreatitis).
- Very large gallstones that pose a higher risk of complications.
- In most cases, if gallstones are causing symptoms, surgery is the recommended long-term solution.
Latest Advancements and their Advantages
Gallbladder surgery has become very advanced:
- Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (SILS): An even newer technique where only one tiny cut is made, usually near the belly button, leading to almost no visible scar.
- Robotic-Assisted Cholecystectomy: In some advanced hospitals, robots can assist the surgeon, offering enhanced precision and control, especially for complex cases.
- Better Imaging During Surgery: Newer technologies can help surgeons see the bile ducts more clearly, reducing the risk of complications.
Average Length of Stay in Hospital and Recovery Time
- Hospital Stay:
- For Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, you can often go home the same day or within 1 day.
- For Open Cholecystectomy, it's usually a 3 to 5-day stay.
- Recovery Time:
- With laparoscopic surgery, you can often return to light activities in about 1 week. Full recovery and return to normal routine take about 2 to 3 weeks.
- For open surgery, recovery is longer, usually 4 to 6 weeks. You'll receive advice on diet and avoiding heavy lifting.
Success Rates and Common Complications
- Success Rates: Gallbladder removal is a very successful surgery, with nearly 100% success in removing the gallbladder and relieving gallstone-related symptoms. Most people experience great relief.
- Common Complications (Rare but good to know):
- Bleeding or infection: At the cut sites (rare).
- Bile duct injury: A rare but serious complication that might need further treatment.
- Bile leakage: Bile can sometimes leak into the abdomen.
- Digestive issues: Some people might have temporary diarrhea or bloating after surgery as their body adjusts. These usually get better over time.
- Conversion to open surgery: In a small number of laparoscopic cases, the surgeon might need to switch to open surgery if unexpected problems arise.
If gallstones are causing you pain, don't ignore it. Talk to a general surgeon to understand if Gallbladder Stone Removal is the right step for you.
Want to find the best hospitals and experienced surgeons for Gallbladder Stone Removal in Lucknow? Call the Medifinder team at +91 63066 62068 for expert assistance!
Want to find the best hospitals and experienced surgeons for Gallbladder Stone Removal in Lucknow? Call the Medifinder team at +91 63066 62068 for expert assistance!