Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery in Bangalore

What is Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery to remove the gallbladder. Instead of a large abdominal cut, the surgeon makes 3 to 4 tiny incisions (each less than 1 cm) and uses a high-definition camera and specialized instruments to remove the gallbladder. The result: less pain, faster recovery, minimal scarring and quicker return to normal life.

At Dhaara Speciality Hospital, Yelahanka, Dr. Srinivas Bojanapu — an accomplished Surgical Gastroenterologist — has performed over 2,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The vast majority of patients go home the same day or next morning after surgery.

Why Would You Need Gallbladder Surgery?

The most common reason for removing the gallbladder is gallstones (cholelithiasis) — hard deposits that form in the gallbladder and cause pain, inflammation and complications. Other indications include:

• Symptomatic gallstones causing recurrent biliary colic (right upper abdomen pain after eating)
• Acute cholecystitis (infected, inflamed gallbladder)
• Gallstone pancreatitis (gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct)
• Gallbladder polyps (especially those over 1 cm)
• Gallbladder empyema (pus in the gallbladder)
• Porcelain gallbladder (calcified gallbladder with cancer risk)
• Mucocele of the gallbladder

Symptoms of Gallstones

Laparoscopic vs. Open Cholecystectomy

What Happens During the Surgery?

Under general anaesthesia, Dr. Bojanapu makes 3–4 small incisions in your abdomen. Carbon dioxide gas is gently introduced to create space inside the abdomen, giving the surgeon a clear view. A high-definition camera and fine instruments are inserted through these incisions. The gallbladder is carefully dissected free from the liver, the bile duct and artery are clipped, and the gallbladder is removed. The entire procedure typically takes 45 to 60 minutes.

Recovery After Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery

• In hospital: 4–6 hours of observation after surgery; most patients go home the same day
• First week: Mild shoulder tip pain (from the CO₂ gas) that resolves in 48 hours; avoid driving
• Diet: Light meals for the first 2 weeks; avoid very fatty or spicy food initially
• Return to desk work: 5–7 days
• Return to physical work or exercise: 3–4 weeks
• Follow-up: Review appointment at 7 days for wound check

Life Without a Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a storage organ for bile — it is not essential for digestion. After removal, bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. The vast majority of patients live completely normally without a gallbladder. Some patients may initially notice looser stools after fatty meals — this usually improves within a few weeks as the body adjusts.