Gallbladder Surgery General Information Gallbladder disease is one of the most common problems general surgeons treat. The gallbladder is a small organ that sits below the liver and stores bile. Bile is a substance used to digest fatty foods and other nutrients. Normally after you eat, the gallbladder squeezes the bile out into the intestine to aid in digestion. Pain is caused when gallstones obstruct the gallbladder when it is trying to squeeze. Pain can also result if the gallbladder doesn’t squeeze well for any other reason. Other common symptoms are nausea and back pain. Frequently patients ask what caused their gallstones. It is a complex interaction between bile salts, cholesterol, and other substances in bile. Any derangement in the balance between these substances can cause stones to form. Frequently gallstones are present but cause no symptoms. Usually we recommend surgery only if the gallstones are causing symptoms. If the stones cause your gallbladder to become blocked and infected, you may require emergency surgery. The Procedure When you arrive, you will go to the preoperative preparation area where a nurse will review your medical history and an IV will be started. If you haven’t already done so, you will meet with an anesthesiologist at this time. When the operating room is ready for you, you will be taken in on a stretcher and will meet the operating room nurses who will help take care of you during the procedure. If you didn’t see your surgeon in the preoperative area, you will see him in the operating room prior to the beginning of the procedure. You will then move onto the operating room table and the anesthesiologist will give you medication to make you fall asleep. Your surgeon will then perform the procedure while you are completely asleep. Typically this involves four small incisions through which the gallbladder is removed (laparoscopic surgery). If the surgery is not able to be performed safely laparoscopically, a larger incision will need to be made. Conversion to an open procedure should not be viewed as a failure if it is necessary, but rather as a wise decision made by a cautious surgeon. When the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery area where you will slowly wake up and regain complete consciousness. A nurse will give you any medication you need and monitor your vital signs and pain level as you wake up. Your surgeon will speak to your friends or family members in the waiting room during this time. Postoperative Information If your surgery is being performed on an outpatient basis, you will be released to the care of yourself and your family after you are fully awake and your pain is controlled. If you will be staying in the hospital after your surgery, you will be taken from the recovery area to a hospital room. For more information on postoperative care, please click on this "Same Day Surgery" link.