Lap Chole
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Procedure
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, also known as lap chole, is a minimally invasive procedure for the removal of a diseased gallbladder. Undergoing a lap chole procedure will stop the pain and treat the underlying infections that are caused by gallstones.
If gallstones are left untreated, the associated pain and infections can get significantly worse and even lead to the gallbladder bursting – a potentially life-threatening event.
Join Inspire Bariatrics and Dr. Keli McCalman as we walk you through the lap chole process and help you get your life back to normal.
I’m Done with my Gallstones
What is a Lap Chole Procedure?
A laparoscopic cholecystectomy helps people with gallstones that are causing pain and infection.
Gallstones are crystals that grow in the gallbladder. They can prevent bile from leaving the gallbladder and entering your digestive system, resulting in Cholecystitis (inflammation). Like kidney stones, gallstones can also spread throughout the body causing major problems including cancer.
The first signs of a bad gallbladder and gallstones include:
- Fever and elevated temperatures
- Jaundice (unusual yellow tint in the skin)
- General feelings of nausea
- Feeling bloated
- Pains reaching from the right side of the abdomen and the back or shoulder
What Happens During the Procedure?
Three to four tiny incisions will be made in your abdomen. Carbon dioxide gas will then be injected which will cause it to enlarge; the gallbladder and adjacent organs can now be seen clearly.
The laparoscope, which is a thin tube outfitted with a camera, will be inserted through one incision. Surgical tools will be inserted into the other incisions for tissue removal.
After the infected gallbladder is removed, the incisions are closed and you are transferred to a recovery area.
What To Expect After Gallbladder Removal
Removing the gallbladder will stop the pain and treat the infections caused by gallstones. Once the procedure is complete, our team will monitor you for a few hours after surgery to make sure you wake up from anesthesia without complications, have a healthy heart rate, can breathe steadily, have a healthy blood pressure, and are able to urinate.
Afterward, you should have:
- Less pain in your abdomen, back, and/or right side
- A lower risk of complications from gallstones
- A quick recovery and return to everyday activities
- Smaller wounds compared to an invasive open cholecystectomy
Discover the Inspire Bariatrics Difference
Surgery can be a scary word. For some, fears linked to surgery prevent them from getting the help they need. So when surgery can be minimally invasive and more precise, patients gain the benefits of the procedure while minimizing pain, risk, hospital stays, and recovery time.
Nearly every traditional surgery has been improved over the years to become more effective and safer for patients. Dr. McCalman takes pride in going over the top when it comes to patient care, and she treats every patient like family. Patients of Dr. McCalman can expect their experience to be amazing, from initial visit through post-op appointments and beyond.
Schedule an Appointment