Gallbladder
Disease
Please Click Here For An Animation
Of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery
About the Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a
small, pear-shaped organ, which lies on the underside of the liver, in the
upper right portion of the abdomen. It
is connected by ducts (or tubes) with the liver, and with the upper
portion of the small intestine (duodenum).
The liver produces bile (a substance that is essential for digesting fats) and secretes it into the gallbladder where is concentrated and stored. When food is eaten, especially fatty or greasy foods, the gallbladder contracts and forces bile out the ducts leading into the intestine. When the gallbladder is removed, this function continues. Only the storage function of the gallbladder is lost. People usually can tell no difference with their gallbladder removed.
1.
Frequent bouts of indigestion, especially after eating fatty or
greasy foods, or certain vegetables such as cabbage, radishes, or pickles.
2.
Nausea, heartburn, and bloating.
3. Attacks of sharp pains in the upper right part of the abdomen. There is often radiation of pain into the upper back.
4. Jaundice (yellowing of the skin) may occur when the bile duct is blocked.
LOW FAT GALLBLADDER
DIET
For a limited time before the gallbladder is
surgically removed, a low fat, mildly spiced diet is important.
This will limit symptoms and can help prevent gallbladder attacks.
Eat as wide a variety of the allowed foods as possible.
After surgery you may slowly start to reintroduce normal foods into
your diet.
Good Foods (no/low fat)
Non-fat milk, Coffee, Tea (with
non-fat creamer), Sodas, Fruit drinks
White, Wheat, Grain & French breads, English muffins
Pasta, Rice
Cooked or Dry cereal, Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat (only non-fat milk with
cereals)
Saltines, Graham crackers
Lean meats—Fish, Poultry / NO skin
(Baked, Broiled, or Barbecued - NOT fried)
Poached or Boiled Egg - One per Day
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese
Non-Fat Yogurt,
Tofu
Broth
Fat-Free Chicken or Vegetable soup
Vegetables - Steamed, Baked, or Raw
All Fruits
Honey, Jam, Jelly
Sugar, Salt, Pepper, Syrup
Small amount of Spices, Herbs & Seasonings
Sherbet
Angel food cake
Jell-O
Pudding (made with non– fat milk)
Bad Foods (high fat)
1% milk, 2% milk, Whole milk, Cream, Whipping Cream, Coffee Creamer
Pancakes, Waffles
Pastries
Granola
Snack crackers
Hamburgers, Hot Dogs
Bacon
Fried Meats, Fried Eggs
Cheese, Yogurt
Highly Spiced or Seasoned Casseroles
Pizza, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Chili,
Creamed Soups
Creamed, Fried or Au-Gratin Vegetables
Cabbage, Radishes, Pickles
Avocado
Butter, Margarine, Oil
Peanut Butter
Salad Dressing
Ice cream, Ice Milk
Cheesecake, Chocolate cake
Custard, Puddings
Nuts, Coconut
Treating
Gallbladder Disease
The only curative treatment for
gallbladder disease is surgical removal of the gallbladder.
When stones are present and causing symptoms, or when the
gallbladder is infected, inflamed, or malfunctioning, removal of the organ
is usually necessary.
About Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
The surgeon creates four or five very small
incisions of less than half an inch each. The patient’s abdomen is distended with carbon dioxide gas.
The surgeon then inserts a camera called the laparoscope,
which allows him to see inside the body. The other incisions in the
abdomen are for specialized instruments to grasp and free the gallbladder
from its attachments.
Occasionally a special x-ray study is performed in surgery called a
cholangiogram. This involves
injecting dye into the bile ducts. With
this test the surgeon is able to search for blocking stones or other
problems that might involve the bile ducts.
Many patients are able
to go home the same day, although occasionally it may be necessary to
spend the night.
If any of the CO2 gas
remains after surgery, it can cause shoulder pain.
This is from irritation of the Phrenic Nerve in the diaphragm.
Any remaining gas is usually absorbed within 1 - 2 days.
Raising your hips on pillows so that they are higher then your
shoulders can relieve the shoulder pain.
This allows the gas to move and the pain to subside.
Patients should always
be prepared for the possibility of having to undergo a conventional open
cholecystectomy with a large incision if problems are encountered during
their surgery. They might
also need endoscopy or other procedures if stones are lodged in the bile
ducts, or if a bile leak develops. These situations are
fortunately very uncommon.
Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery
(253) 572-7120
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