Gallbladder Removal Surgery Mont Albert (Cholecystectomy)
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, a small pouch under the liver, stores bile, a substance that helps digest fats. When bile becomes rich in cholesterol or pigments and isn’t released properly, small crystals can form, gradually building up into gallstones.
Gallbladder Disease
Gallstone disease is one of the most common surgical conditions in Australia. General surgeons like Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam treat patients with gallstones and other gallbladder conditions such as acute or chronic cholecystitis, biliary colic, and gallstone pancreatitis.
When diagnosed in time and managed with the right treatment, many patients experience long-term comfort and prevent further health issues.
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:
- Strong pain or discomfort in the abdominal area
- Discomfort or pain following a rich or fatty meal
- Yellow discolouration of the eyes, known as jaundice
- A high temperature or fever
Causes of Gallstones
There are several reasons gallstones can form, including:
- High cholesterol levels in the bile
- Losing weight too quickly
- Undergoing hormone replacement therapy
- Hereditary blood disorders
- Regularly eating rich or fatty foods
For some, gallstones cause no symptoms, but others may suffer from strong biliary pain, recurring flare-ups, or complications like gallbladder inflammation or chronic pancreatitis.
The typical approach in these cases is gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy), which is performed to stop future attacks and help patients get back to daily life.
Gallbladder Surgery With Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam
As an experienced general surgeon, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam has performed numerous gallbladder surgeries near Mont Albert. 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 surgical approach involves:
- Thorough assessment: Identifying whether gallstones are responsible for your symptoms and ruling out other possible issues like acid reflux or peptic ulcers.
- Open communication: Explaining the procedure, outlining possible risks and advantages, and reviewing the consent form in detail beforehand.
- Comprehensive surgical care: Performing laparoscopic or open gallbladder surgery depending on each patient’s needs, ensuring the most suitable treatment path.
- Post-surgery care: Offering guidance on pain relief, wound healing, and diet (such as reducing fat intake) to ensure a comfortable and steady recovery.
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 Mont Albert Questions Answered
What are gallstones made of?
Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder, made up of cholesterol, pigments, or a mix of both. Cholesterol stones are the most common, forming when bile contains excess cholesterol; pigment stones result from too much bilirubin, often due to genetic blood conditions; and mixed stones combine cholesterol and salts. They can be as small as sand grains or several centimetres in size.
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?
As with any operation, there are possible risks to consider. Though uncommon, complications may involve infection, bleeding, bile duct injury, blood clots, or slight bruising and oozing near the incision area. Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam will outline these risks with you before proceeding.
What happens after my gallbladder is removed?
After gallbladder removal, patients typically go home within a day. Some may have mild diarrhoea or softer stools while the body adjusts to the constant bile flow, though this tends to settle. A low-fat diet is encouraged early on, with a gradual transition back to normal meals.
What is a bile duct, and what is its role in the gallbladder?
Bile flows through a network of ducts from the liver and gallbladder into the small intestine to break down fats. The common bile duct serves as the main channel connecting the smaller ducts. During gallbladder surgery, surgeons inspect the ducts to ensure they’re not blocked by gallstones, which can lead to 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?
Union Road Specialist Centre 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
From your first consultation to post-surgery recovery, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam ensures seamless, locally based care and transparent communication at every stage.
Patient-Centred Approach
With more than 15 years of experience in surgery, Dr Roshan Ariyaratnam provides care for patients experiencing bile duct and gallbladder problems.
Our Location near Mont Albert
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.