Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal • Katy & Sugar Land
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal in Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy — What Happens Before, During, and After
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard operation for removing a diseased gallbladder. Through three or four small incisions, a camera and slender instruments free the gallbladder from the liver and remove it, usually in under an hour. It has been the most common approach to gallbladder surgery for more than thirty years and is one of the most frequently performed operations in the United States.
Dr. Murtaza Shakir performs laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder removal for patients in Katy, Sugar Land, and Greater Houston. He is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, with fellowship training in liver and bile duct surgery.
This page walks through the operation step by step: preparation, anesthesia, the incisions, what happens inside, the recovery room, going home, and the weeks that follow. For why the gallbladder is removed and who needs it, see gallstones symptoms and treatment and the main gallbladder surgery page.
Board-Certified
General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist
⭐ Rated 5 Stars
by Patients on Google
2 Convenient Locations
Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Laparoscopic & Robotic
Gallbladder Removal — Request a Consultation
Understanding the Operation
Why the Gallbladder Is Removed
The stones are the symptom; the gallbladder is the source
Gallstones form because of the way a particular gallbladder concentrates bile. Removing the stones and leaving the gallbladder in place, whether by medication, fragmentation, or opening the gallbladder surgically, leads to new stones in most people within a few years. Removing the gallbladder itself treats the cause once.
The gallbladder is a storage pouch, not an essential organ. After it is removed, the liver continues to produce bile, which flows directly through the bile duct into the small intestine. Digestion adjusts within a few weeks and most people notice no long-term difference. Learn more about what the gallbladder does.
Who needs laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Patients with symptomatic gallstones, acute or chronic cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, bile duct stones (after their removal), biliary dyskinesia with typical symptoms, and certain gallbladder polyps. Silent stones found by chance are generally not removed.
Laparoscopic vs. open vs. robotic
Laparoscopic is the default for the great majority of gallbladders: small incisions, same-day discharge, and a one-to-two-week recovery.
Robotic cholecystectomy uses the same incisions with wristed instruments and a 3D view, and is chosen for difficult gallbladders, prior upper abdominal surgery, or high body-mass index. See robotic gallbladder surgery.
Open cholecystectomy, through a single incision under the ribs, is now reserved for cases where minimally invasive surgery is unsafe, or when a laparoscopic operation must be converted to open. This happens in a small percentage of cases, more often when the gallbladder is severely inflamed.
Step by Step
What Happens During Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery
From arrival to discharge, a routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy takes about half a day. The operation itself usually takes 45 to 75 minutes.
01
Preparation
You stop eating and drinking after midnight, take only the medications you have been told to take, and arrive at the surgical center or hospital about two hours before surgery. Blood thinners and some diabetes medications are adjusted beforehand according to our pre-operative guide.
02
Anesthesia
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires general anesthesia; you are fully asleep. An anesthesiologist reviews your history, places an IV, and monitors you throughout. Nausea prevention is given routinely.
03
Incisions
Three or four incisions are made: one at the navel (10 to 12 mm) for the camera and one or more of 5 mm in the upper abdomen for instruments. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to create working space.
04
The Operation
The camera displays the gallbladder on monitors. Dr. Shakir identifies the cystic duct and cystic artery, confirms the anatomy (the “critical view of safety”), seals them with clips, and frees the gallbladder from the liver bed. It is placed in a retrieval bag and removed through the navel incision.
05
Recovery Room
You wake in the recovery area within minutes of the end of surgery. Nurses monitor pain, nausea, and vital signs. Most patients are sitting up and drinking within an hour and walking shortly after.
06
Going Home
Most patients are discharged two to four hours after surgery with a driver, written instructions, and prescriptions. An overnight stay is arranged if the gallbladder was acutely inflamed, if the operation was difficult, or if medical conditions warrant monitoring.
Scheduled for Gallbladder Surgery?
A consultation with Dr. Shakir covers your imaging, confirms the plan, and answers every question about the operation and recovery before the day arrives.
Safety
Conversion to Open Surgery and Complications
When Laparoscopic Surgery Converts to Open
Occasionally, usually in the setting of severe inflammation, dense scarring, bleeding, or anatomy that cannot be identified clearly, the safest course is to convert to an open operation through a larger incision. This is a judgment made during surgery to protect the bile duct, not a failure. Conversion is uncommon for elective surgery and more likely when the gallbladder is acutely inflamed. If it occurs, expect a hospital stay of a few days and a recovery of several weeks.
Risks of Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe operation with a low complication rate, but no operation is risk-free. Risks include bleeding, infection, bile leak, injury to the bile duct or nearby organs, blood clots, and reactions to anesthesia. Bile duct injury is the most serious and is rare; identifying the anatomy carefully before dividing any structure is the main safeguard. Dr. Shakir reviews the risks that apply to your situation at your consultation.
After Surgery
Recovery and Warning Signs
Recovery at a glance
Days 1 to 3. Incision soreness, bloating, and shoulder-tip discomfort from the gas. Walk frequently, shower after 24 to 48 hours, eat small low-fat meals, and use acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain.
Week 1. Most patients are off prescription pain medication and back to light daily activity. Driving resumes once you are off narcotics and can brake comfortably. Desk work is often possible within three to five days.
Weeks 2 to 4. Return to a normal diet and normal activity. Lifting more than about 15 pounds and strenuous exercise are usually restricted for about two weeks. A follow-up visit is scheduled within one to two weeks.
Loose stools, bloating, or intolerance of very fatty foods can occur for a few weeks and usually settle. The full timeline is in our gallbladder removal recovery guide; general instructions are on the post-operative care page.
When to call after surgery
Call the office or seek care promptly for:
- Fever over 101°F or chills
- Worsening abdominal pain rather than steady improvement
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools
- Persistent vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
- Redness, swelling, or drainage from an incision
- Increasing abdominal swelling
- Calf pain or swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath (call 911)
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Gallbladder Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Dr. Shakir is a board-certified General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist serving Katy, Sugar Land, and Greater Houston. He earned his medical degree at Aga Khan University, completed General Surgery residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and a two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, which included liver, bile duct, and pancreatic surgery.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is among the operations he performs most often, and his biliary training matters most when a gallbladder turns out to be more difficult than expected.
Board certified by the American Board of Surgery in:
- General Surgery
- Complex General Surgical Oncology
Surgical focus:
- Laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy
- Acute cholecystitis and difficult gallbladders
- Bile duct stone management with gastroenterology
- Liver, bile duct, and pancreatic surgery
Recognized by Houstonia Magazine among Houston’s top general surgeons. Learn more about gallbladder surgery.
Why Patients Choose Us
Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?
Board-Certified Surgical Expertise
Board certified in both General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
Routine Done Carefully
A common operation performed with the same attention to anatomy every time.
Laparoscopic and Robotic
Both approaches available, chosen by the condition of your gallbladder.
Biliary Surgery Training
Fellowship experience for inflamed gallbladders, duct stones, and unusual anatomy.
Clear Communication
You know what will happen on surgery day and what recovery involves before you arrive.
Katy & Sugar Land Offices
Consultations and follow-up at two Fort Bend County locations.
Locations
Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices
Consultations, pre-operative visits, and follow-up for gallbladder removal are available at both offices. View all locations.
Katy Office
Convenient for patients from Katy, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, and West Houston.
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
410 W Grand Pkwy S
Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Gallbladder disease evaluation, surgical planning, and post-operative follow-up.
Sugar Land Office
Convenient for patients from Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, and Fort Bend County.
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas
17510 W Grand Pkwy S
Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Gallbladder disease evaluation, surgical planning, and post-operative follow-up.
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About Gallbladder Surgery
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rated 5 Stars by Patients on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Lydia Dennis
Sugar Land · Robotic Gallbladder Removal
My gastroenterologist referred me to Dr Shakir as an option for my gallbladder removal, and I’m so glad he did. From the initial consultation to today’s post-op appointment with Dr Shakir and his staff, everything went very smoothly. He did the robotic laparoscopic removal and the incisions look amazing. Dr Shakir is knowledgeable, efficient, and professional. I hope I don’t need a general surgeon in the future, but if I do, I’d 100% book another surgery with him.
Rick Rogers
Google Review · Gallbladder Surgery
I had severe pain and was in the ER 5 times in 2 months with no definitive diagnosis. Dr. Shakir looked at my various test results and realized my gall bladder needed to come out. Once he removed it I felt so much better. He listens to you and discusses the options. Great Dr. and surgeon. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
See what more patients are saying about their experience with Dr. Shakir.
FAQ
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Questions
What happens during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery?
Under general anesthesia, three or four small incisions are made, the abdomen is inflated with gas, and a camera and instruments are used to identify and seal the gallbladder’s duct and artery, free the gallbladder from the liver, and remove it in a bag through the navel incision. It usually takes 45 to 75 minutes.
How many incisions are needed?
Typically three or four: one at the navel of about 10 to 12 mm and two or three of 5 mm in the upper abdomen.
Can I go home the same day?
Most patients go home two to four hours after surgery. An overnight stay is arranged for acutely inflamed gallbladders, difficult operations, or when medical conditions need monitoring.
When can I work after surgery?
Desk work is often possible within three to five days. Physical jobs usually require one to two weeks, longer if heavy lifting is involved. Dr. Shakir gives a specific timeline.
Why is the gallbladder removed instead of only the stones?
Because the gallbladder that made the stones will make more. Removing only the stones leads to recurrence in most people within a few years; removing the gallbladder treats the cause.
How long does the operation take?
Usually 45 to 75 minutes, longer if the gallbladder is inflamed or scarred.
What is the chance of converting to open surgery?
Low for elective surgery, higher when the gallbladder is acutely inflamed. Conversion is a safety decision made during surgery to protect the bile duct.
Will I have drains or stitches to remove?
Usually not. Incisions are closed with absorbable sutures under the skin and skin glue or small dressings. Drains are used only in selected difficult cases.
What can I eat after surgery?
Start with small, low-fat meals for the first several days and advance as tolerated. Most people return to a normal diet within a few weeks. See foods to eat after gallbladder removal.
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Yes. The liver continues to make bile, which flows directly into the intestine. Most people digest food normally after a short adjustment.
Is laparoscopic or robotic surgery better for the gallbladder?
For a routine gallbladder they are equivalent. Robotic surgery is chosen for difficult, inflamed, or scarred gallbladders and for patients with a high body-mass index or prior upper abdominal surgery.
Where is laparoscopic gallbladder removal available near Katy or Sugar Land?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir evaluates patients at 410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494 and 17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320, Sugar Land, TX 77479. Call 713-955-9191.
Schedule a Gallbladder Removal Consultation
If you have symptomatic gallstones or have been told you need your gallbladder removed, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir.
A consultation can help determine:
- Whether gallbladder removal is advisable and how soon
- Whether laparoscopic or robotic surgery is the better fit
- Exactly what will happen on surgery day
- Whether you can expect same-day discharge
- What recovery, diet, and return to work will look like
Serving patients throughout: Katy • Sugar Land • Richmond • Fulshear • West Houston • Greater Houston