What are gallstones ( Cholelithiasis)?

Your gallbladder is where gallstones grow. They have concentrated bile materials that resemble pebbles.

Cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts, and lecithin are all components of bile fluid. The common components of gallstones are cholesterol or bilirubin, which accumulate at the base of your gallbladder and harden into “stones” over time.

Gallstones can range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. As the bile keeps washing over them and they continue to gather new materials, they eventually develop. The smaller stones are more prone to cause trouble. Smaller stones can move, whereas larger ones tend to remain stationary.

Gallstones are prevalent in developed nations, affecting 10% of adults and 20% of people over 65. 

Cholelithiasis

Gallstones cause the condition of cholelithiasis. Several people are unaware that they have cholelithiasis. Gallstones, if left untreated for a long time can cause lots of complications. Therefore, it is essential to treat them even if they are asymptomatic. If left untreated, it may result in severe consequences.

The most common cause of cholelithiasis is a chemical imbalance where the bile in the gallbladder contains too much cholesterol or bilirubin.

Types of Gallstones

There are two primary types of gallstones:

• Cholesterol Stones. Generally, they are yellow-green colored. 80% of gallstones are of this type, making them the most prevalent.

• Pigment Stones. They are bilirubin-based, darker, and smaller in size.

Causes of Gallstones

It is considered that a bile chemical imbalance within the gallbladder is the real cause of gallstones. While the following list of potential causes and risk factors for gallstones are:

1. Cholesterol buildup in bile

Yellow cholesterol stones might develop if your bile contains excessive cholesterol. These hard stones may form if your liver produces more cholesterol than your bile can break down.

2. Excessive bilirubin levels

A substance called bilirubin is created as part of the regular breakdown of red blood cells. Following creation, it moves through the liver before being eliminated from the body.

3. Concentrated bile due to a full gallbladder

Your liver may overproduce bilirubin under certain circumstances, such as liver disease and some blood diseases. Pigment gallstones develop when your gallbladder cannot break down the extra bilirubin. They are typically black or dark brown.

There are some other associated risk factors for the possible reasons for the development of Gallstones Gallstones are more likely to develop in you if you:

• Have a family history of having them,
• Are a woman,
• Are older than 40 years of age,
• Are obese or overweight,
• Eat a diet low in fiber and rich in fat and cholesterol,
• Are not indulging in many physical activities,
• Utilize contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy,
• Possess diabetes or possess a digestive illness like Crohn’s,
• Experiencing cirrhosis of the liver or hemolytic anemia,
• Use medication to lower your cholesterol,
• Being fasting.

Symptoms of Gallstones

Gallstones may be asymptomatic or may cause pain in the upper right abdomen or the middle of your stomach. Gallstone-related pain typically only lasts a few hours, but it can sometimes be very severe.

Other signs and symptoms of Gallstones 

You’ll experience acute pain if a gallstone results in a chronic obstruction or an infection. It might comprise

• Pain right behind your ribcage in the upper belly, frequently on the right
• Right shoulder or back discomfort
• A stomachache
• Vomiting
• Other issues with the digestive system, such as indigestion, heartburn, and gas
• continuous agony
• chills, and a fever.
• The fast heartbeat.

Additionally, you might start exhibiting signs of bile buildup in your bloodstream, such as

• Jaundice.
• Sunken eyes.
• Urine with a dark color.

Diagnosis of Gallstones

A medical practitioner will diagnose cholelithiasis, Gallstones, or any other potential consequences after carefully reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination. They will conduct a physical examination to look for noticeable color changes in your eyes and skin. Jaundice, which develops when your body produces too much bilirubin, may show up as a yellowish color.

They will also recommend a blood investigation and evaluate a blood test’s outcomes to measure the amount of bilirubin in your blood. They will look for an infection or inflammation in the gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, or liver. 

Typically imaging tests are utilized to detect gallstones in the gallbladder. Different kinds of picture testing exist, including

• Ultrasound: The best imaging test for detecting gallstones is thought to be this one. In this imaging examination, doctors frequently discover “silent” or gallstones that do not produce symptoms.
• CT scan for computed tomography: This technology can detect gallstones and problems such as bile duct or gallbladder blockage.
• Imaging with magnetic resonance (MRI): This examination provides detailed pictures of the biliary tract in your body and may reveal gallstones in your bile ducts.
• Cholescintigraphy: This imaging scan, which takes photos of the biliary tract, can detect obstructions in the bile ducts and abnormalities of the gallbladder.
• Retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): An already present issue, like a gallstone lodged in the common bile duct, is frequently addressed with this more invasive method.

Your doctor can attempt to make a diagnosis and then propose a course of treatment once they have completed any necessary testing. The treatment includes surgical interventions. 

Once gall stones are found, surgical removal of gall bladder is the only treatment. Even if asymptomatic, the gallbladder should be removed as the complications that can occur if left untreated can put a patient’s life at risk.

The gall bladder itself is vestigial and is a rudimentary organ in humans. Therefore removal of gall bladder causes no problems to the patient in the future. Lifestyle and oral medications are not sufficient to treat gallbladder stones.

Gallbladder stones are also a risk factor for developing gallbladder cancer which has an extremely poor prognosis. Once detected, very rarely do the patients survive. Hence, one should not wait for surgery and get it done as soon as possible.

This is how you prepare for it.

• You need to schedule a prior consultation with your doctor to determine if the surgery is right for you
• A complete detailed medical history by the surgeon will make decisions about the type of surgery that you may need
• Imaging such as ultrasound of your gallbladder and the associated structures to visualize the issues that persist and their exact locations
• Laboratory tests that include bloodwork to take a look at the vital parameters before proceeding with the surgery
• It is better to take a shower prior to the surgery 
• You won’t be allowed to eat or drink from a few hours before the surgery
• Any medications that you may already be taking may need to be stopped as advised by your doctor. 
• Make sure that 

How Is Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Performed?

• A laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is performed under general anesthesia so you will be fully asleep for the entire length of the surgery
• An intravenous line is started to deliver the medications and nutrition through fluids that you will need
• A tube is placed in the throat and is connected to a mechanical ventilator in order to assist with breathing
• Four small incisions are made over the skin of the abdomen
• A small, guided tube that is attached to a camera is inserted through one of these incisions
• Other tools necessary for the monitoring and visualization of the internal structures are inserted through the other incisions
• The gallbladder is gently removed outside through one of the incisions
• A special X-ray known as intraoperative cholangiography is performed to take a look at the other structures associated with the gallbladder to see if other issues persist
• After making sure that the structures are clear, the area is sutured and bandaged. 

What To Expect After A Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?

• You may experience some pain in your abdomen.
•  Pain in the shoulders may be present for a few days following the procedure
• The pain is due to the gas that was used to inflate the surgical area during the surgery.
• Shoulder pain may persist for a week and slowly wane off. 
• A slightly irritated sore throat may be felt for the first few days after the surgery. 
• The irritation on the throat is due to the breathing tube that was inserted during the surgery and lozenges may help ease the irritation. 
• Some people may feel nauseated and vomit and your surgeon may prescribe medication for the same.
• Loose stools for a few weeks after the surgery are because your body is still settling in
• Slight bruising around the area of the incisions that goes away after a few days
• You can start walking slowly a few days after the surgery 
• Avoid strenuous activity for the first few weeks of the surgery
• Stay away from lifting weights for three to four weeks following the surgery
• Include a good amount of fiber in your diet and stay hydrated. 

Cost of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Surgery

The cost of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in India ranges from about Rs 60,000 upwards and is dependent upon the following aspects:

1. Location of the hospital
2. Expertise of the surgeon performing the procedure
3. Investigations needed prior to and after the surgery
4. Cost of medications that you may need to take following the procedure

Advantages Of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery

• There is less scarring involved following the surgery
• The procedure is minimally invasive and has a faster recovery
• Blood loss or the need for blood transfusion is greatly reduced. 
• You can resume work faster and get back sooner to your activities of daily life.

Dietary Recommendations Post-Gallbladder Surgery

So, if you have had gallbladder surgery in Delhi recently, you must know that you need to adjust your diet significantly. Here is what doctors generally advise:

• Start with Clear Liquids

Directly after the operation, you will only be given liquids for a while. Surgeons mostly advise this so that your digestive system doesn’t face any additional stress just after surgery. At Handa Nursing Home, after your gallbladder surgery in Delhi, nurses will only provide you with a liquid diet.

• Gradually Reintroduce Solid Foods

For the first few weeks, as your body heals, introduce solid food, but those that should be bland and have a minimal amount of fat. You should also try to stay clear of any type of fatty, greasy, or spicy types of food.

• Eat Small, Frequent Meals

You can face some digestion-related issues just after the surgery. For this, you can eat small meals but at frequent intervals.

Long-Term Effects of Gallbladder Removal

This is what you should understand about the long-term effects of removing your gallbladder:

• Digestive Changes

Since you won’t have a gallbladder anymore, know that the bile will now flow directly into your small intestine. Some people can experience bloating as a consequence of this.

• Fat Absorption

Some people’s digestive systems may not be well suited to absorbing fat anymore. As a result, the individual can have fatty stool or diarrhea in extreme cases. Many people who undergo gallbladder surgery in Delhi at Handa Nursing Home are explained to these changes beforehand.

• Diet Adjustments

The other long-term effect that people need to adjust to is that they need to make many dietary changes. For instance, what the person ate normally as a part of their diet before the surgery may not hold up well anymore after the operation. Handa Nursing Home also has dieticians in their center and once your gallbladder surgery in Delhi is completed, you may be advised to take the advice of a dietician.

• Weight Management

The person also needs to be aware of weight issues and always maintain a healthy weight. Becoming obese and overweight can lead to unnecessary issues and give rise to complications.

• Regular Monitoring

Regular follow-ups with your doctor are vital to monitor your digestive health. This will help you manage any long-term effects. No matter where you have your gallbladder surgery in Delhi, you must turn up for your follow-up visits.

Best gallbladder surgery in Delhi – tips to recover post-surgery

If your doctor recommends gallbladder removal surgery, then one of the best options is laparoscopy, as the surgery is minimally invasive, with smaller incisions made and smaller scars afterward. Nowadays, laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery in Delhi is preferred for those needing a cholecystectomy. There is only one situation where the expert does not recommend the surgery. The only reason is when the patient suffers from allergies and has a high risk of adverse reactions to anesthesia. After a successful gallbladder laparoscopic surgery in Delhi, there are some tips that you must follow to speed up your recovery process. However, the surgery is performed using a minimally invasive technique, but it is a surgery, and fortunately, patient recovery from this type of surgery is simple. 

Tips for recovery post laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery

One of the benefits of laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery in Delhi is that the recovery time is much quicker and usually straight than the conventional method. Patients can leave the hospital on the same day post-surgery though they will need someone to help. The surgery has some side effects that you can expect to experience : 

• Bruising and swelling around incision points. 
• Some discomfort can be alleviated by using the prescribed medications.
• Nausea
• Bloating can be accompanied by pain in the abdomen. 

However, it takes about one to three weeks to recover fully from laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, and this varies from patient to patient. There are some useful tips for recovering post laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery: 

• Your recovery will be simple if you ensure that your home is clean. You must have a full stock of painkillers that might help you heal quickly. 
• Avoid wearing tight clothes from the belly, and wear comfortable clothing that can help you recover. 
• Getting up and moving after every few hours can help you to recover fast and also help to reduce bloating, which is a common side effect post laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery. 

You only know your body well, so if you are concerned about anything associated with the laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, it is best to consult all details in advance. Handa Nursing Home has the best team of board-certified surgeons to perform laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery and has doctors who specialize in minimally invasive procedures. Book your appointment to know all details before you finalize for gallbladder removal surgery.

Importance of Follow-Up Appointments

Now, once your operation is over, do not take follow-up appointments lightly. Once you visit your doctor regularly, you can talk to them about any discomfort you are facing, and in the same way, your doctor will be able to map your progress better. In a follow-up appointment, your doctor will also advise you if you need to take any further medicines, change the course, or stop taking them. This is why follow-up appointments are so important. At Handa Nursing Home, doctors have emphasized the need for follow-up visits time and again after having your gallbladder surgery in Delhi.

Why Choose Us?

• Handa Nursing Home has the best team of board-certified doctors to perform laparoscopic surgeries
• We have the best and most advanced facilities required for your care 
• Our hospital is equipped with a state-of-the-art ICU that can take care of all your post-surgical and emergency needs
• For over 37 years, we have placed patient safety and satisfaction as our top priority and it has translated into world-class care in a friendly environment
• Our doctors are specialists in minimally invasive procedures and stick to the highest safety standards
• We use cutting edge technologies that are committed to offering our patients a speedier recovery and improving their quality of life