Unless it’s causing problems, most people pay little or no attention to their gallbladders or what this organ does for the body.
But if you experience pain from a diseased gallbladder or gallstones, it will quickly command your full attention.
Our New Jersey board-certified laparoscopic surgeons have performed more than 1,000 successful gallbladder removal operations since 2007.
Gallbladder removal is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures.
A small organ located in the right upper abdomen under the liver, it stores some of the bile produced by the liver, which digests and absorbs the fats in the food that we eat.
Gallstones sometimes form inside the gallbladder and block the outlet from while the bile is moved out, which can result in considerable pain. In some cases, the stones may move into the bile duct, causing jaundice or an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
If you are suffering from stones in the gallbladder, you may experience intermittent pain in the right upper abdominal region. The pain typically starts after eating and may be cause nausea, vomiting or bloating. Fever may or may not be present.
People who have severe symptoms from gallstones (usually diagnosed on an ultrasound) frequently have their gallbladder removed through a minimally-invasive procedure called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Prime Surgicare Medical Director, board-certified laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgeon Dr. Seun Sowemimo, explains:
Why the Gallbladder Can Act Up
January 2020 Google Review by S. Cook:
“Dr. Sowemimo performed gallbladder surgery on my wife this week. He was amazing. He put my wife at ease instantly, explained everything about the condition and surgery. His manner is so calming and helped us through the fear.”
Gallstones are somewhat common. Up to 20 million Americans have gallstones, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDKD), but just 20% of these stones cause problems. Severe cases or larger stones can result in intense pain to the sufferer. However, the number and size of the stones do not appear to correlate with the severity of symptoms patients may have.
An inflamed gallbladder can be caused by gallstones, excessive alcohol use, poor nutrition obesity, rapid weight loss after weight loss surgery, infections, or tumors that cause bile to build-up.
The inflamed and swollen walls can cause pain episodes lasting for days, resulting in the formation of scar tissue.
Dysfunctional gallbladder, or chronic gallbladder disease, is commonly caused by scarring from repetitive bouts of cystic duct obstruction and associated inflammation.
Am I Having Symptoms of a Gallbladder Attack?
December 2020 Google review by Reynold Forman:
“I can’t speak highly enough about this office. I am so grateful that they were there to help me when I needed it most. The entire office, all of his staff members, are angels. Dr. Seun is amazing. I’m so grateful he was there when I needed him.”
Cholecystitis is the most common type of gallbladder disease, meaning “inflammation of the gallbladder.”
It is most commonly caused by gallstones obstructing the ducts to the small intestine.
Most gallbladder symptoms start with pain in the upper abdominal area including:
- Severe pain in the abdomen or beneath the right shoulder blade
- Unexplained pain after eating or accompanying deep breathing
- Intermittent pains that feels dull, sharp, or crampy
- Chest pain, a sudden onset of heartburn or chronic indigestion
- Excessive gas, feeling overly full
- Uncharacteristic chills
- Tender abdomen, jaundice or discolored stool
In addition to upper right abdominal pain, cholecystitis carries a variety of symptoms which can sometimes be managed with rest and antibiotics.
Ultrasound, X-ray, CT scans or nuclear imaging are commonly used to diagnose a diseased gallbladder or gallstones.
In many cases. minimally invasive, laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is the fastest solution to relieve pain.
What Are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery?
- Four tiny scars instead of one large abdominal scar
- No hospital stay in routine cases
- Less pain, limited blood loss and no recurrence after surgery
- Significantly faster recovery time
Karen Swantek describes her gallbladder attack >>
Diet for a Healthy Gallbladder
Maintaining a healthy diet and weight go a long way in keeping the gallbladder healthy. By following a high-quality nutrition plan of plant-based proteins, fruits, veggies, lean meats and fiber, you’ll help avoid a gallbladder attack—as well as a host of chronic diseases.
Drinking plenty of water is also essential for maintaining the proper amount of water in the bile.
Finally, avoid fatty, fried foods, and limit alcohol. Most importantly, any time you experience stomach pain for more than a few days, see a doctor to rule out any serious health complications.
Consistent and intermittent pain is the body’s way of telling you something isn’t right.
Don’t ignore it, because the sooner the issue is diagnosed, the quicker you’ll be feeling great again.
The Gallbladder Center at Prime Surgicare in Central New Jersey
Surgeons at Prime Surgicare are highly experienced, U.S. board-certified and fellowship-trained. We perform simple and complex GI region surgeries every week, using the most advanced tools and techniques, including robotic surgery.
From gallbladder and appendix removals to hernia repair operations and surgery of the colon you can trust the highly-trained, deeply-experienced team of Prime Surgicare surgeons to have you back on your feet, safely and with as little pain as possible.
Call our friendly team at (732) 414-2707 to make a prompt telehealth or in-person appointment to discuss your surgical need.
Dr. Seun Sowemimo is a board-certified and fellowship-trained, general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon in NJ. He specializes in minimally invasive weight loss surgery and general surgery procedures including diverticulitis, gallbladder and hernia conditions.
Dr. Jolita Auguste, board-certified laparoscopic and general surgeon at Prime Surgicare, performs safe, laparoscopic GI operations including hernia surgery, gallbladder removal, appendectomy, colon surgery, and acid reflux surgery. She is also performs bariatric surgery, including gastric sleeve, gastric bypass and lap-band removals.
Telehealth visits, as well as in-person patient office visits are available at our offices in Freehold and Jackson, NJ.
