About Cholelithiasis
Key Highlights
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Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery (cholecystectomy) offers smaller scars and faster recovery.Endoscopic procedures like ERCP can remove bile duct stones without open surgery.Effective relief from painful symptoms like biliary colic (intense upper right abdominal pain).Prevents serious complications such as acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, or cholangitis.High success rate with a low risk of stone recurrence after gallbladder removal.
Who is this surgery for?
- Symptomatic gallstones causing recurrent biliary colic (pain).
- Acute cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder).
- Gallstone pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas due to a stone).
- Choledocholithiasis (stones in the common bile duct) causing obstruction or jaundice.
- Asymptomatic stones in high-risk patients (e.g., those with porcelain gallbladder or sickle cell disease).
How to prepare
- Complete blood tests, liver function tests, and imaging (ultrasound, possibly MRCP).
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before any surgical or endoscopic procedure.
- Disclosure of all current medications; may need to temporarily stop blood thinners.
- Pre-operative anesthesia evaluation and consent process.
- For ERCP, intravenous antibiotics may be administered prophylactically.
Risks & possible complications
- Standard surgical risks: bleeding, infection, or adverse reaction to anesthesia.
- Bile leak or injury to the bile duct (rare but serious).
- Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (persistent digestive symptoms).
- ERCP-specific risks: pancreatitis, perforation, or bleeding.
- Retained stones in the bile duct requiring further procedures.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Hospital stay of 1-2 days for laparoscopic cholecystectomy; ERCP is often outpatient.
- Manage pain with prescribed medications and gradually resume a normal, low-fat diet.
- Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for 2-3 weeks after surgery.
- Most patients return to normal activities within 1-2 weeks.
- Follow-up appointment to monitor recovery and review pathology results.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-2 days
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Expected recovery time: 1-3 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cholelithiasis in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with gastroenterology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cholelithiasis. 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 cholelithiasis compare across other countries where we have data.
I'd been to three other doctors...
I'd been to three other doctors for this nagging pain and fatigue. Everyone said it was stress. Dr. Latha at MGM was the first one who actually sat and listened, really listened, to everything I was saying. She ordered a specific test the others hadn't, and it turned out to be something quite rare. She explained it all to me in plain Tamil, drew diagrams on a notepad. I was scared, but she laid out a clear plan. It's been a long road, but I finally feel like we're getting somewhere.
Gastroenterologists for Cholelithiasis
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform cholelithiasis and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara