About Cholecystitis
Key Highlights
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Provides definitive treatment for recurrent gallbladder inflammation and pain.Prevents serious complications like gallbladder rupture, gangrene, or widespread infection (sepsis).Eliminates the risk of future gallstone attacks and associated biliary colic.Commonly performed as a minimally invasive (laparoscopic) procedure, leading to smaller scars and faster recovery.Allows for a return to a normal diet for most patients after recovery, though some may need to adjust fat intake.
Who is this surgery for?
- Acute cholecystitis: Sudden, severe inflammation often with fever and intense right upper abdominal pain.
- Chronic cholecystitis: Long-term inflammation and gallbladder damage from repeated, milder attacks.
- Gallstone-related complications like biliary colic that significantly impact quality of life.
- Gallbladder empyema (pus-filled gallbladder) or gangrene (tissue death).
- Porcelain gallbladder (calcified gallbladder wall), which carries an increased risk of cancer.
- Symptomatic gallstones in patients with conditions like sickle cell disease or awaiting organ transplant.
How to prepare
- Complete medical history review and physical examination by the gastroenterologist and surgeon.
- Pre-operative blood tests, ultrasound, and possibly other imaging (CT or HIDA scan) to confirm diagnosis.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure (usually midnight before surgery).
- Discontinuation of certain medications, especially blood thinners, as advised by the doctor.
- Discussion of anesthesia options and signing of informed consent forms.
- Showering with an antiseptic soap the night before or morning of surgery.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Reaction to anesthesia, bleeding, or infection at the incision site.
- Bile leakage or injury to the bile ducts, which may require additional procedures.
- Injury to nearby structures like the intestines, liver, or major blood vessels.
- Retained gallstones in the common bile duct.
- Post-cholecystectomy syndrome: Persistent abdominal pain or digestive symptoms after surgery.
- Rare risks include deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pneumonia.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay is typically 1-2 days for laparoscopic surgery; open surgery may require 3-5 days.
- Pain at incision sites is managed with prescribed medications; it should improve steadily.
- Gradual return to a normal diet, starting with clear liquids and advancing as tolerated.
- Avoid heavy lifting (more than 10-15 lbs) and strenuous activity for 2-4 weeks.
- Most patients can return to desk work within a week; full recovery to all activities takes 2-4 weeks.
- Contact your doctor immediately for signs of infection (fever, worsening pain, redness/drainage from incisions), jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), or severe nausea/vomiting.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cholecystitis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for cholecystitis in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cholecystitis. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cholecystitis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Cholecystitis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing cholecystitis.
Ayaan Davis, a 28-year-old software engineer...
Ayaan Davis, a 28-year-old software engineer and avid rock climber, had been experiencing intermittent sharp pains in his upper right abdomen for months, often after eating greasy takeout during late-night coding sessions. He dismissed it as indigestion. The pain became severe and constant one weekend, accompanied by nausea and fever, forcing him to the ER. A CT scan confirmed acute cholecystitis with gallstones. The gastroenterologist, Dr. Lee, explained that his gallbladder was inflamed and infected and needed to be removed laparoscopically to prevent dangerous complications like a rupture. Ayaan was anxious about surgery and worried it would end his active lifestyle. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy went smoothly. After one night in the hospital, he was home. Recovery involved a few days of soreness and a low-fat diet. Within two weeks, he was back to coding and, cautiously, to the climbing gym. The constant fear of an attack was gone. Ayaan felt immense relief and regretted not seeking help sooner, now prioritizing his health alongside his career.
Gastroenterologists for Cholecystitis
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform cholecystitis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai