Roshan Ariyaratnam General Surgeon

Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy) Melbourne ＆ Regional Victoria

Gallbladder surgery aims to relieve pain and restore quality of life.

Gallbladder Pain

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night with a pain in the upper right of your abdomen? Or a pain that squeezes you around the top of your ribs? This may be what people refer to as a ‘gallbladder attack’, and it’s known to be quite painful, with many people turning to the emergency room for help.

The gallbladder is a small organ in the abdomen that stores bile, a digestive fluid released into the small intestine to help break down fats. When bile becomes concentrated with cholesterol or pigments, the gallbladder doesn’t empty properly. This may cause small crystals to develop and gradually grow into gallstones.

Gallbladder Disease

This condition, called gallstone disease, is one of the most common reasons for surgery in Australia.

General surgeons like Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam work with patients experiencing gallstones and other gallbladder-related conditions, like acute or chronic cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder), biliary colic, gallstone pancreatitis, and, in rare cases, gallbladder cancer.
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 some cases, gallstones cause no symptoms. This is because if the stones are small enough, they don’t block the bile duct or interfere with the flow of bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine. However, if gallstones are large enough to cause symptoms, they may lead to:

Causes of Gallstones

Gallstones may develop due to various factors such as:

While some people never experience symptoms, others develop severe biliary pain (also known as biliary colic), recurrent attacks, or complications like chronic pancreatitis or an inflamed gallbladder.

In these cases, the most common treatment is gallbladder surgery (gallbladder removal, or cholesystectomy). 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

As an experienced general surgeon, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam has performed numerous gallbladder surgeries in Melbourne and regional Victoria. He uses the latest laparoscopic surgical techniques in an effort to minimise recovery time and improve patient 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 approach includes:

Comprehensive assessment: Confirming that your initial symptoms are caused by gallstones and excluding other conditions, such as a peptic ulcer or acid reflux.
Clear communication: Reviewing risks, benefits, and providing a complete surgery consent form before your operation.
Advanced surgical care: Offering both laparoscopic cholecystectomy and, if required, open gallbladder surgery, aiming to ensure the most appropriate option for each patient.
Post-operative support: Managing post-operative pain, wound care, and dietary guidance (such as a low-fat diet) to help you return to everyday life as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam’s care is guided by evidence-based practice, patient safety, and compassion, ensuring that every patient feels informed and supported throughout their treatment.

Ready to enquire about laparoscopic gallbladder surgery with a compassionate, experienced, local surgeon?

Your Gallbladder Surgery Melbourne 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?

As some people don’t experience symptoms, the exact numbers are hard to define. However, it’s thought that about 15% of people over 50 in Australia have gallstones.

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.

However, it’s important not to let potential issues like these deter you. If you have gallstones or another condition that affects your gallbladder, undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is typically the most appropriate option, as leaving it in may lead to further complications.

Why Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam?

Experience in Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery

Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam is skilled in laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, aiming to provide patients with less postoperative pain and faster recovery.

Comprehensive, Local Care

From diagnosis to surgery and recovery, all close to home, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam offers complete care and clear communication at every step.

Patient-Centred Approach

With over 15 years of surgical experience, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam is committed to assisting patients with bile duct and gallbladder concerns.

Our Clinic Locations

Aiming to Help You Sleep Through the Night Without Pain

If you’re suffering from gallstones, biliary colic, or recurrent abdominal pain, help may be closer than you think. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery may be the most appropriate way to prevent further attacks and complications, potentially helping you get back to daily life without pain.

Book a consultation with Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam today to discuss your symptoms and find out whether laparoscopic gallbladder surgery may be right for you. Whether you need urgent care for an inflamed gallbladder or are considering your options for managing gallbladder disease, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will work with you to provide a personalised treatment plan.