Typical gallbladder attack
Steady pain in the right upper abdomen or upper middle abdomen, often after eating and sometimes radiating to the back or right shoulder. Nausea or vomiting can accompany the pain.
GALLBLADDER SURGERY · LOS ANGELES
Gallbladder surgery should solve the problem, not create a new one.
Dr. Michael A. Zadeh evaluates and treats gallstones, repeated gallbladder attacks, gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), and other gallbladder conditions with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis, minimally invasive surgery when appropriate, and a clear recovery plan.
RECOGNIZING GALLBLADDER DISEASE
Gallstones can be silent. Symptoms are what usually change the conversation.
Many people have gallstones and never know it. Surgery is generally considered when stones or gallbladder dysfunction are causing symptoms, inflammation, or complications.
Gallbladder inflammation
Persistent pain, tenderness, fever, or inflammation can indicate a suddenly inflamed gallbladder, called acute cholecystitis. This deserves prompt medical evaluation rather than simply waiting for the pain to pass.
Less typical symptoms
Bloating, indigestion, reflux, and general abdominal discomfort can have many causes. Finding gallstones on imaging does not automatically prove that every digestive symptom comes from the gallbladder.
START WITH THE DIAGNOSIS
A scan can show gallstones. It cannot decide whether they are causing your symptoms.
Evaluation usually combines the medical history, physical examination, blood tests when needed, and imaging. Ultrasound is commonly the first imaging test for suspected gallstones or gallbladder inflammation.
When the symptoms and imaging do not line up cleanly, the goal is to avoid treating a finding discovered by accident as if it explains everything.
The goal is not to operate on an ultrasound. The goal is to identify whether the gallbladder is the likely source of the problem and whether removing it is likely to help.
WHEN SURGERY MAKES SENSE
Gallstones that cause symptoms tend to cause repeated problems. The question is whether the pattern justifies surgery.
Gallbladder removal through small incisions (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is commonly recommended for repeated gallbladder attacks, also called biliary colic, and for many patients with gallbladder inflammation or complications related to stones.
Not every patient with a gallstone found by accident needs an operation. The recommendation should reflect symptoms, imaging, overall health, and the consequences of continued observation.
Seek urgent medical evaluation for severe or persistent abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), repeated vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, or other signs of a possible complication.
GALLBLADDER REMOVAL
The standard operation removes the gallbladder, not just the stones.
Removing stones alone leaves the diseased gallbladder in place and allows stones to form again. Gallbladder removal, called cholecystectomy, removes the gallbladder while bile continues to flow from the liver into the intestine.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE
Gallbladder removal through small incisions
This operation is called laparoscopic cholecystectomy. For most planned gallbladder operations, several small incisions are used to remove the gallbladder while the patient is asleep under general anesthesia. Many patients go home the same day.
SELECTED CASES
Robotic approach
Robotic technology can be used for selected gallbladder operations. It is another minimally invasive tool; the choice should depend on the patient’s condition rather than the name of the platform.
WHEN NECESSARY
Open surgery
Open surgery through a larger incision is less common but can be necessary when the structures are difficult to see safely, inflammation is severe, there have been prior operations, or a minimally invasive operation cannot be completed safely.
RECOVERY AFTER GALLBLADDER SURGERY
Most patients recover quickly, but the timeline should match the operation and the person.
After an uncomplicated minimally invasive gallbladder removal, walking begins right away and patients can begin eating and drinking as they feel able. Return to work and strenuous activity depends on comfort, job demands, and the specifics of surgery.
FIRST DAYS
Walk, hydrate, and eat as tolerated.
Some bloating, soreness around the incisions, and temporary appetite changes are common early in recovery.
RETURN TO ROUTINE
Activity returns in stages.
Many patients resume light activities relatively quickly. Driving, exercise, and heavier work should wait until it is safe and comfortable.
LIFE WITHOUT A GALLBLADDER
Most people return to a normal diet.
The liver continues to produce bile after the gallbladder is removed. Some patients notice temporary digestive changes, especially early after surgery.
WHY DR. ZADEH
The decision to operate should make sense before the operation ever begins.
Gallbladder surgery is common. Thoughtful diagnosis and individualized surgical judgment still matter.
Board-certified surgical judgment
The first question is whether the gallbladder actually explains the symptoms and whether surgery is needed.
Minimally invasive expertise
Laparoscopic and robotic techniques are available when appropriate, with open surgery reserved for situations in which it is safer or necessary.
Continuity before and after surgery
Clear expectations, direct follow-up, and a recovery plan are part of the operation itself.
GALLBLADDER SURGEON IN SHERMAN OAKS
Gallbladder care for patients across Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
Dr. Michael A. Zadeh evaluates gallstones, repeated gallbladder attacks, gallbladder inflammation, and abnormal imaging at Zadeh Surgical in Sherman Oaks. The consultation is designed to determine whether the gallbladder explains the symptoms and whether surgery is likely to help.
Convenient for patients in: Sherman Oaks, Encino, Studio City, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and surrounding Los Angeles communities
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about gallbladder surgery.
Do all gallstones require surgery?
No. Gallstones found by accident in a person without symptoms often do not require surgery. The situation changes when stones are causing repeated gallbladder pain, inflammation, or other complications.
Can gallstones be removed without removing the gallbladder?
The usual treatment for gallstones that cause symptoms is removing the gallbladder rather than removing stones alone, because leaving the gallbladder in place allows stones and symptoms to return.
Will I need to change my diet permanently?
Most people can ultimately eat a normal diet after gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). Some patients prefer smaller or lower-fat meals early in recovery while the digestive system adjusts.
How long does gallbladder surgery take to recover from?
Many patients return to light daily activities within days after uncomplicated minimally invasive surgery, but return to work, exercise, and unrestricted activity varies by patient and occupation.
What is a gallbladder polyp?
A gallbladder polyp is a growth that projects from the gallbladder wall. Many are noncancerous, but size, growth over time, symptoms, and individual risk factors influence whether follow-up scans or surgery are recommended.
GALLBLADDER CONSULTATION · SHERMAN OAKS
If gallbladder attacks are disrupting your life, it is worth understanding what the imaging means and what your options are.
14658 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 · (818) 789-1111