What is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
     A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure in which your health care
provider removes your gallbladder with a laparoscope and other surgical tools. A
laparoscope is a thin metal tube with a light and tiny camera. Your provider can put
it into your abdominal cavity and see your internal organs, such as your gallbladder.

When is it used?
     This procedure is performed when you have stones or polyps in your gallbladder or if
your gallbladder is not functioning properly (biliary dyskinesia). The gallbladder is
shaped like a balloon and holds bile. Bile is produced in the liver and helps with
digestion of food in the intestinal tract. Bile can form a sediment in the bottom of the
gallbladder and form gallstones. These stones may remain loose in your gallbladder,
block the gallbladder, plug the common bile duct, or pass into your intestine.
Blockage can cause abdominal pain, swelling, or infection.

Alternatives include:

• removing the gallbladder by open surgery without a laparoscope
• having the stones dissolved with drugs (stones almost always reoccur)
• choosing not to have treatment, recognizing the risks of your problem.

How do I prepare for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
     Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Allow for time to rest. Try to find
people to help you with your day-to-day duties for the first couple of days after
surgery.
Follow the instructions provided by your health care provider. The night before the
procedure, eat a light meal such as soup and salad. Do not eat or drink anything
after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea,
or water.

What happens during the procedure?
     You are given a general anesthetic. A general anesthetic will relax your muscles and
put you to sleep. It will prevent you from feeling pain during the operation.
Your peritoneal cavity will be inflated with carbon dioxide gas. This expands your
peritoneal cavity like a balloon and helps your provider see your organs. Your
provider makes 3 or more small cuts in your abdomen, inserts the gas, and uses the
laparoscope to look in your abdomen and find the gallbladder. Your provider then
removes your gallbladder and the stones with electrical cautery (electrical current).

What happens after the procedure?
     You may leave the hospital later the same day or in about 1 to 2 days, depending on
your condition. You may return to a normal lifestyle within 7 to 1o days with some
restrictions on lifting and strenuous activity for 3 – 4weeks.
Ask your health care provider if there are any restrictions on lifting or exercising. Ask
what steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
You will be rid of the painful gallbladder without the major pain and discomfort of
open abdominal surgery. Your stay at the hospital should be shorter.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

• There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks
  with your health care provider.
• You may have infection or bleeding.
• The common bile duct or another nearby organ may be damaged. You may
  need further surgery for repairs of the damage.
• The bile may leak. To correct this, your provider may put in a drainage tube.
• You may have pain in your shoulder from the carbon dioxide used to inflate
  your abdominal cavity.
• You should ask your health care provider how these risks apply to you.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call your health care provider right away if:

• You develop a fever.
• You have bleeding.
• You have a foul-smelling wound.
• You have severe pain.
• You have nausea or vomiting.

Call your provider during office hours if:

     You have questions about the procedure or its result.
You want to make another appointment.