About Gallstones

Minimally Invasive Treatment Option for Gallstones

Your gallbladder is a tiny sac that is located directly under your liver, in the upper right side of your abdominal area. The gallbladder’s function is to collect bile that is produced in the liver, store it and then move it into the small intestine for digestive purposes. Bile is moved into the small intestine from the gallbladder through several tubes, known as the common bile duct and the cystic duct.

When small stones form from cholesterol or other substances that are often found in bile, they are known as gallstones. Some gallstones will go unnoticed, but once a stone has developed in one of the ducts and is blocking the flow of bile, treatment is necessary.

How Likely Are You to Develop Gallstones?

Statistics suggest that gallstones affect between 10 and 20% of the population of the United States, with men being more likely to develop stones than women. Close to a million people are newly diagnosed with gallstones each year, and by the age of 75, almost 25% of men will have dealt with this painful problem.

What Causes Gallstones?

When substances such as cholesterol aren’t broken down correctly in the bile, gallstones may form. Cholesterol is not increased in the bile of those who have high cholesterol or eat too much cholesterol, but is specific to the gallbladder. Stones may also form when the gallbladder doesn’t empty fully, causing bile to back up and form into a stone-like structure.

What are the Symptoms?

You may have gallstones for several years before you start to notice the symptoms. Signs you may have gallstones include:

• Pain that starts suddenly in the center of the abdomen and moves up to the right shoulder blade or back area
• Pain that lasts longer than 24 hours
• Pain that occurs after meals
• Jaundice
• Fever
• Chills
• Light-colored stools
• Dark urine

Typically, pain that is associated with gallstones will be constant and present for at least 24 hours.

Treatment of Gallstones with Cholecystectomy

While medications can be used to break down gallstones, this process can take months, and sometimes even years. miVIP offers a simple solution to the pain and discomfort of gallstones with our cholecystectomy procedure.

Our minimally invasive procedure allows us to perform gallstones removal surgery laparoscopically with the help of a small camera. Several tiny incisions are made into your skin, leaving fewer scars and lowering your risks during surgery.

Your Future without Gallstones

Once your cholecystectomy is complete, you will never again deal with the pain caused by gallstones. Our surgeons are experienced and trained on the newest technology in the medical field, allowing our patients to enjoy faster recovery times and fewer complications during and after surgery. Call miVIP today at 855-496-4847 to discuss your options for gallstones removal surgery with a friendly representative.