The Gall Bladder is a small pouch that stores bile. Some people can develop stones in the GallBladder resulting in Abdominal pain and discomfort. You may also need `a removal of the Gall Bladder if you have polyps or cancer of the Gall Bladder.

Gall Bladder stones can be indentified on an Ultrasound Scan or CT Scan. Your consultant may advise removal of the Gall Bladder depending on various factors. You will need a General Anaesthesia to have your Gall Bladder removed. There are 2 methods to remove the Gall Bladder

Key Hole Surgery: The surgeon make 3 to 4 holes in the abdomen and inserts carbon dioxide gas to inflate the abdomen. Instruments are inserted using the other holes (ports), one of which is a laparoscopic camera. Other ports are used to insert other laparoscopic instruments such as scissors or instruments to tie knots. This procedure usually takes an hour. You may be able to go home the same day after procedure or may need 1 night stay in the hospital. Occasionally, the surgeon may need to convert a Key Hole surgery to Open surgery if there are difficulties in completing the procedure or complications.

Open Surgery: The surgeon makes an incision over the right upper part of the abdomen. The common method is usually Key Hole surgery and Open method is reserved in certainsituations only. The operation will take around an hour to two hours. You will need admission to hospital for 2 days.

You will be pain free in a few weeks post surgery. Recovery period is about 2 weeks for Key Hole Surgery and about 6 weeks for Open Surgery.