When your gallbladder produces gallstones that get stuck in narrow ducts or cause inflammation, the pain can be excruciating. Kevin Lynch, DO, founder of Odessa General Surgery, is the only surgeon in West Texas who performs single-incision gallbladder surgery to minimize trauma and bleeding. He’s also the most experienced robotic surgeon in the Odessa area. If you live in Odessa, Texas, or the surrounding communities and want relief from gallstones, call the office today or use the online contact form.
Gallbladder Surgery
Why do I need gallbladder surgery?
Your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ underneath your liver that stores a substance called bile, which helps you break down fats when you digest your food.
When your bile has too much cholesterol in it or if your gallbladder can’t empty properly, the bile hardens and forms stones that can get as large as a golf ball.
These stones can get caught in the neck of your gallbladder or in the bile ducts, causing excruciating pain and inflammation, a condition known as cholecystitis.
Gallstones don’t go away without treatment. Approximately 80% of people with gallstones need surgery to remove the gallbladder. You may also need gallbladder surgery if you develop benign or cancerous growths in your gallbladder.
What are the risk factors for gallstones?
You’re more likely to get gallstones if you eat a diet that’s high in fat or have a metabolic disease, such as diabetes. You might also have structural abnormalities in your gallbladder or bile ducts that prevent them from emptying properly.
If you have sickle-cell anemia, you could develop a particular form of gallstones called pigment gallstones. These dark-colored stones develop when your bile has too much bilirubin, which is a chemical your liver produces to break down red blood cells.
How do I know if I need gallbladder surgery?
Contact Dr. Lynch if you notice symptoms of gallbladder disease, such as:
- Sudden abdominal pain that quickly gets worse
- Pain between your shoulder blades
- Right shoulder pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Symptoms that require immediate medical attention include:
- High fever and chills
- Yellowed, jaundiced skin
- Yellowing of the whites of your eyes
- Intense abdominal pain
Treating gallstones as quickly as possible minimizes the risk for complications such as infection and pancreatitis.
What happens during gallbladder surgery?
Dr. Lynch can oftentimes remove the gallbladder through a single incision near the belly button using the da Vinci robotic surgery system.
He’s the only surgeon in the area who performs this type of gallbladder surgery. He’s also an expert at removing the gallbladder with minimally invasive laparoscopy or traditional open surgery, when necessary.
If you have gallstones or abdominal pain, contact Dr. Lynch about gallbladder surgery by phoning the office or using the contact form.