Should You Avoid Gallbladder Surgery If Possible?
Not automatically.
If gallstones are discovered incidentally and cause no symptoms, surgery may not always be necessary. A doctor can assess whether observation is appropriate.
But when gallbladder disease repeatedly causes symptoms or complications, surgery can be the safest treatment.
Health Conditions
Conditions that may require gallbladder removal include:
repeated painful gallstone attacks
acute gallbladder inflammation
gallbladder infection
gallstones blocking bile ducts
gallstone-related pancreatitis
certain gallbladder abnormalities
Consult Surgical Specialists
Trying to avoid medically necessary surgery can sometimes be more dangerous than undergoing the procedure.
What Can Happen If Serious Gallbladder Disease Is Left Untreated?
Complications of gallstones can include:
Acute cholecystitis
A gallstone can block the outlet of the gallbladder, producing painful inflammation and sometimes infection.
Pancreatitis
A stone can obstruct the area where bile and pancreatic ducts drain, causing inflammation of the pancreas.
Track Health Symptoms
Gallstone pancreatitis can be severe.
