Gallbladder Removal Surgery Cheltenham (Cholecystectomy)
Gallbladder Pain
Waking up in the middle of the night with a sharp pain in your upper abdomen or a squeezing ache across your ribs can be a sign of a ‘gallbladder attack’. It’s often described as severe, prompting many to seek medical attention right away.
Located beneath the liver, the gallbladder stores bile, a fluid that helps the body digest fats. If the bile contains too much cholesterol or certain pigments, or if the gallbladder doesn’t empty completely, crystals can form over time and develop into gallstones.
Gallbladder Disease
In Australia, gallstone disease is among the leading causes for surgical procedures. Surgeons such as Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam support patients dealing with gallstones and related gallbladder conditions, including acute and chronic cholecystitis, biliary colic, and gallstone pancreatitis.
A timely diagnosis combined with appropriate care can help patients find lasting relief and avoid major complications.
With timely diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment, patients may be able to find long-term relief and avoid potentially serious complications.
Symptoms of Gallstones
In many cases, gallstones remain silent and cause no discomfort. Small stones often pass unnoticed as they don’t obstruct the bile duct or affect bile flow. However, when gallstones are larger, they can trigger symptoms, including:
- Pain in the abdomen, which may be severe
- Discomfort or pain following a rich or fatty meal
- Jaundice, a yellow tint in the eyes or skin
- Elevated body temperature (fever)
Causes of Gallstones
Gallstones may develop due to various factors such as:
- An excess amount of cholesterol present in the bile
- Sudden or fast weight loss
- Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Genetic blood disorders
- Consuming foods high in fat
Although some individuals remain symptom-free, others may encounter severe biliary discomfort, ongoing attacks, or related complications such as inflammation of the gallbladder or chronic pancreatitis.
In these cases, the most common treatment is gallbladder surgery (gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy). This is a surgical procedure that aims to prevent future attacks and allow patients to return to normal life.
Gallbladder Surgery With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam has considerable experience performing gallbladder surgeries across Cheltenham, applying the latest laparoscopic approaches that aim to help shorten recovery periods and optimise outcomes.
Laparoscopic surgery, or keyhole surgery, is the most minimally invasive procedure for gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). A laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves making a few small incisions to insert surgical instruments, allowing the surgeon to remove the gallbladder with typically less post-operative pain than traditional surgery.
Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam’s surgical approach involves:
- Comprehensive assessment: Confirming that your initial symptoms are caused by gallstones and excluding other conditions, such as a peptic ulcer or acid reflux.
- Transparent communication: Discussing the potential risks and benefits and ensuring you understand the consent form before surgery.
- Advanced care: Delivering laparoscopic and, when needed, open gallbladder procedures to provide the most appropriate solution for each individual.
- After-surgery care: Supporting recovery with pain management, wound care, and nutritional advice like following a low-fat diet to help you get back to your routine.
With a focus on evidence-based care, safety, and empathy, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam ensures each patient is well-informed and cared for every step of the way.
Thinking about laparoscopic gallbladder surgery and want to speak with a caring, trusted local surgeon?
Your Gallbladder Surgery Cheltenham Questions Answered
What are gallstones made of?
Gallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. They can be made of cholesterol stones (the most common type, formed when bile has too much cholesterol), pigment stones (small, dark stones caused by excess bilirubin, often linked to hereditary blood disorders), or mixed stones (a combination of cholesterol and salts). These stones may range in size from as small as a grain of sand to several centimetres in diameter.
How many people have gallbladder diseases?
Because many people with gallstones don’t experience any symptoms, it’s difficult to know the exact figures. Still, estimates suggest around 15% of Australians over the age of 50 are affected.
What are the risks of gallbladder surgery?
All surgeries come with potential risks, so it’s important to understand these. Complications are uncommon but may include wound infection, blood clots, bleeding, bile duct injury, or bruising and slight oozing around the incision sites. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will discuss these risks with you before surgery.
What happens after my gallbladder is removed?
After gallbladder removal, most patients can return home the same day or the next day. Some experience mild diarrhoea or loose stools as bile trickles steadily into the intestine, but this usually settles. Patients should follow a low-fat diet in the early weeks and gradually return to a normal diet.
What is a bile duct, and what is its role in the gallbladder?
The bile duct is the channel that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver to the small intestine, where it helps digest fats. The common bile duct is the main pathway that joins smaller ducts together before bile enters the intestine. During gallbladder surgery, surgeons carefully check the bile ducts to ensure no gallstones are blocking them, as this can cause pain, infection, or jaundice.
Do I need a gallbladder if it's causing issues?
The gallbladder isn’t an essential organ, and people may function without it. The gallbladder stores bile, but without it, bile acids enter the small intestine directly. Most patients have no long-term dietary issues, although limiting fatty foods may reduce biliary pain or discomfort during recovery. Some people develop frequent loose stools after gallbladder surgery, particularly after having caffeine or fatty food. If this occurs, it tends to resolve soon afterwards.
Even though minor issues may occur, it’s important not to be discouraged. If you’re experiencing gallstones or another gallbladder condition, laparoscopic removal is generally the safest and most suitable treatment to prevent future problems.
What areas do you service?
Holmesglen Private Hospital is easily accessible to patients in:
Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?
Experience in Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery
Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam performs laparoscopic gallbladder surgery with the goal of reducing postoperative discomfort and helping patients recover sooner.
Comprehensive, Local Care
With every stage of your care, from diagnosis to recovery, managed locally, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam delivers comprehensive support and clear guidance throughout the process.
Patient-Centred Approach
Backed by over 15 years in surgery, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam is dedicated to helping patients manage gallbladder and bile duct issues.
Our Location near Cheltenham
Aiming to Help You Sleep Through the Night Without Pain
If gallstones, biliary colic, or recurring abdominal pain are affecting your routine, laparoscopic gallbladder surgery may offer the best solution to prevent further issues and support a quicker return to everyday comfort.
Schedule a consultation with Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam to review your symptoms and better understand your treatment options, including laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. From urgent gallbladder inflammation to ongoing gallbladder disease, he will work with you to create a treatment plan suited to you.