Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder surgery is the primary treatment for gallbladder problems like gallstones. Judith Birungi, MD, is an experienced general surgeon at Odessa General Surgery Robotics in Odessa, Texas, who performs gallbladder surgery using laparoscopic or robotic means. Call the office today or click the online booking button to learn about gallbladder surgery.

What is the gallbladder?

The gallbladder is a tiny organ sitting just under your liver. It stores bile, a substance your liver makes to help you digest fat.

When you eat, your gallbladder receives a signal to contract and push the bile into your small intestine through the common bile duct (the tube connecting the gallbladder to the small intestine).

Unfortunately, health issues affect the function of the gallbladder, including gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), and gallbladder cancer. Gallbladder surgery, also called a cholecystectomy, is the treatment for these conditions and involves removing the organ.

I have gallstones. When do I need gallbladder surgery?

You might need gallbladder surgery if you have gallstones that cause problems like abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), or nausea and vomiting.

Gallstones are hardened bile that develops in the gallbladder or bile ducts. In most cases, gallstones are harmless but can grow large enough to cause pain and block the bile duct.

You might also need gallbladder surgery if you have gallstones that block the pancreatic duct causing pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

What happens during gallbladder surgery?

Dr. Birungi is a skilled and experienced general surgeon who personalizes your gallbladder surgery using techniques that give you the best outcomes. She uses minimally invasive surgeries like laparoscopic or robotic surgery on most patients.

Laparoscopic surgery

Dr. Birungi inserts a surgical microcamera (laparoscope) into your abdomen through a small incision during laparoscopic surgery. She makes additional small incisions to insert the surgical instruments she needs to remove your gallbladder, using the moving images from the laparoscope as a guide.

Robotic surgery

Robotic surgery combines laparoscopic techniques with robotic technology, removing your gallbladder through tiny incisions. This is the most advanced surgical choice for gallbladder surgery.

Open surgery

During open gallbladder surgery, Dr. Birungi makes a large incision through your abdomen to remove your gallbladder. This is rarely performed.

What can I eat after gallbladder surgery?

You need to limit high-fat foods immediately following gallbladder surgery. Your gallbladder isn’t an essential organ, and over time your liver takes over its function.

You can resume your regular diet but should slowly reintroduce high-fat foods to prevent abdominal pain.

Odessa General Surgery Robotics is a state-of-the-art general surgery practice using the most advanced techniques. Call today or book your gallbladder surgery consultation online.