"The gallbladder may be just a small organ hidden beneath your liver, but when it becomes inflamed or develops gallstones, it can cause significant pain and disrupt daily life," says Delfino Estevan Lorenzo, MD, FACS, General Surgery at ARC South Specialty in Austin.
The gallbladder's job is to store bile, a digestive fluid made by the liver. When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to help with digestion. Gallbladder problems — most commonly gallstones, inflammation (cholecystitis), and infection — can cause significant discomfort. While pain is often the most recognizable symptom, there are several other warning signs that should not be ignored.
Know the common symptoms of gallbladder disease
Common symptoms include:
- Pain such as intense, sudden pain in the upper right abdomen that can radiate to your back or right shoulder. This often spikes after eating fatty foods.
- Digestive distress such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, or excessive gas after meals.
- Unexplained fever, chills and sweating.
- Signs of duct obstruction such as yellowing of the skin or eyes or stools that become pale or change in color.
Some people experience a sudden episode of severe pain known as a gallbladder attack. This often happens when gallstones block the flow of bile and can last for several hours.
Although rare, persistent symptoms should be evaluated because conditions such as gallbladder cancer can also cause abdominal discomfort and other changes.
Diagnosing gallbladder conditions
Your surgeon will review your symptoms and perform a physical examination. They may also order imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, to look for gallstones and signs of inflammation or blood tests to help identify an infection or problems with the liver and bile ducts.
Treatment depends on the cause of the problem
Treatment for gallbladder disease depends on the underlying condition. Some mild cases can be managed with medications and dietary changes, and some may require gallbladder removal. Fortunately, unlike many organs, the gallbladder isn't essential for bodily function.
If gallbladder removal is indicated, the most common procedure for removing the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy, which can be performed by Dr. Lorenzo both laparoscopically and robotically. These types of procedure are less invasive, which means it uses very small incisions in your belly. The benefits of both laparoscopic and robotic procedures is less bleeding, they are typically performed as outpatient procedures, meaning most patients go home the same day, and the recovery time is usually shorter than an open surgery.
"Our job as general surgeons is to understand what's causing your symptoms, recommend the best course of treatment, and help you get back to doing the things you enjoy," says Dr. Lorenzo.
About ARC General Surgery
ARC General Surgery provides expert, board-certified care for a wide range of conditions and procedures. ARC General Surgeons have specialized knowledge and experience related to diagnosis, pre-operative, operative, and post-operative management, combined with a patient-centered philosophy of coordinated care. At ARC, we provide the most up-to-date surgical and treatment options available.
ARC General Surgeons perform gallbladder and other major and minor surgical procedures at a number of locations, including outpatient surgery centers and area hospitals.
Book an appointment today
Dr. Lorenzo is accepting new patients, ages 16 and older at ARC South Specialty in Austin. To make an appointment, use ARC MyChart or call 512-272-4636 (512-ARC-INFO) and choose option "1".