Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal in Katy & Sugar Land, TX
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: What Happens Before, During, and After
If gallstones or an inflamed gallbladder keep causing pain under your right ribs, the usual treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 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, typically in 45 to 75 minutes. 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 from Katy, Sugar Land, and Greater Houston. He is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology, with fellowship training that included liver and bile duct surgery. This page walks through the operation itself; for gallbladder disease and treatment choices in general, start with our main gallbladder surgery page.
Meet the Surgeon
Dr. Murtaza Shakir, MD, general surgeon performing laparoscopic gallbladder removal in Katy and Sugar Land, TX
- Dual board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
- Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery, 2026 (see listing)
- Highly reviewed: rated 4.9 stars on Google
- Specialized in laparoscopic and robotic gallbladder removal, acute cholecystitis and difficult gallbladders, and liver, bile duct, and pancreatic surgery
Patient Reviews
What Patients Say About Gallbladder Surgery
Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Real experiences from patients treated in Katy and Sugar Land.
Jump to a section
- At a glance
- What is laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
- Who needs it
- Who is a candidate?
- Meet your surgeon
- Laparoscopic, robotic, or open
- How the operation works
- Protecting the bile duct
- Conversion to open surgery
- Before surgery
- Surgery day
- Recovery
- Diet after gallbladder removal
- Risks and complications
- Patient reviews
- Why choose us
- Insurance
- Locations
- FAQs
- Schedule a consultation
At a Glance
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal at a Glance
- What it is
- Removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) through three or four small incisions, using a camera and slender instruments.
- Common reasons
- Symptomatic gallstones, acute or chronic cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, bile duct stones after they are cleared, biliary dyskinesia with typical symptoms, and certain gallbladder polyps.
- Who performs it
- Dr. Murtaza Shakir, board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
- The operation
- General anesthesia; usually 45 to 75 minutes, longer when the gallbladder is inflamed or scarred.
- Hospital stay
- Most patients go home two to four hours after surgery; an overnight stay is arranged after a difficult operation or for an acutely inflamed gallbladder.
- Typical recovery
- Desk work often within three to five days, normal activity within one to two weeks, and no lifting over about 15 pounds for about two weeks.
- Urgent warning signs
- Fever over 101°F, worsening abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, or vomiting that will not stop. For chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
- Where
- Offices in Katy and Sugar Land, TX. Call 713-955-9191.
Procedure Basics
What Is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder through small incisions while the surgeon watches a camera image on a monitor. “Laparoscopic” refers to the thin camera, or laparoscope, and “cholecystectomy” means removal of the gallbladder. The whole gallbladder, including any stones inside it, is taken out.
The gallbladder is a small storage pouch under the liver, not an essential organ. After it is removed, the liver keeps making 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 and gallbladder removal surgery.
Why Remove the Gallbladder Instead of Only the Stones?
Gallstones form because of the way a particular gallbladder concentrates bile, so the stones are the symptom and the gallbladder is the source. Removing the stones and leaving the gallbladder in place, whether by medication, fragmentation, or opening the gallbladder, is frequently followed by new stones. Removing the gallbladder treats the cause once.
Indications
Why Would I Need Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?
You may need laparoscopic gallbladder removal when gallstones or gallbladder disease are causing symptoms or complications. The usual reasons are:
- Symptomatic gallstones: repeated attacks of upper-right or upper-middle abdominal pain, often after meals. Read about gallbladder attack symptoms.
- Acute cholecystitis: a blocked, inflamed gallbladder causing constant pain, tenderness, and often fever. See the symptoms of acute cholecystitis.
- Chronic cholecystitis: a gallbladder scarred by repeated inflammation.
- Gallstone pancreatitis: removal lowers the chance of another episode.
- Bile duct stones: the gallbladder is usually removed after the duct stone has been cleared.
- Biliary dyskinesia with typical symptoms, when testing shows the gallbladder does not empty normally. Learn about biliary dyskinesia.
- Certain gallbladder polyps, depending on size, growth, and risk factors.
Silent gallstones found by chance on a scan are generally not removed. For background on stones and when they need treatment, see gallstones symptoms and treatment and do gallstones always need surgery?
Gallbladder Symptoms That Need Urgent Care
Do not wait for your scheduled operation if abdominal pain lasts hours or keeps worsening, or comes with fever, chills, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools or vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down. These can signal cholecystitis, a blocked bile duct or pancreatitis. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Candidacy
Who Is a Candidate for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?
Most people who need their gallbladder removed are candidates for the laparoscopic approach, which is the default for the great majority of gallbladder operations. A candidate needs a clear reason for surgery and must be able to have general anesthesia safely.
Usually a Straightforward Fit
- Recurring gallbladder attacks with gallstones on ultrasound
- A planned operation after an attack has settled
- Gallstone pancreatitis once the pancreas has recovered
- Patients in reasonable overall health
May Need Extra Planning
- A severely or acutely inflamed gallbladder
- Previous upper abdominal surgery and scar tissue
- A higher body-mass index
- A known or suspected bile duct stone
- Heart, lung, or other conditions that affect anesthesia
Extra planning does not rule out a minimally invasive operation. It may change the timing, the tests done first, or whether Dr. Shakir recommends a robotic approach. Open surgery is reserved for situations in which a minimally invasive operation is not safe.
Your Surgeon
Meet Your Gallbladder Surgeon
Murtaza Shakir, MD
Board-Certified General Surgeon & Surgical Oncologist
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas is led by Dr. Murtaza Shakir, who is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology.
Board certification
American Board of Surgery: General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology
Medical degree
Aga Khan University
Residency
General Surgery, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
Fellowship
Two-year Surgical Oncology fellowship, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Surgical practice includes
Named a Houstonia Top Doctor in General Surgery (2026). Learn more about our general surgery services.
Comparing Approaches
Laparoscopic, Robotic, or Open: How the Approach Is Chosen
Laparoscopic surgery is the standard for most gallbladders, robotic surgery is considered in selected cases, and open surgery is kept for when a minimally invasive operation is unsafe. Neither minimally invasive approach is automatically better. Dr. Shakir recommends the one that suits your gallbladder, anatomy, and surgical history.
| Feature | Laparoscopic | Robotic | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incisions | Three or four small incisions | Similar small incisions | One larger incision under the right ribs |
| Instruments and view | Magnified camera view, straight instruments | 3D view, wristed instruments from a console | Direct access through one incision |
| Typical use | Most planned operations | Difficult gallbladders, prior surgery or high BMI | When minimally invasive surgery is unsafe |
| Stay and recovery | Same-day discharge, one to two weeks | Similar recovery to laparoscopic | A few days in hospital, several weeks |
Typical patterns only. Dr. Shakir recommends an approach after your exam.
For a side-by-side discussion of the two minimally invasive options, read robotic vs. laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
Inside the Operation
How Does Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery Work?
The operation works by filling the abdomen with gas to create space, then using a camera and long, thin instruments placed through small ports to detach the gallbladder and lift it out. You are fully asleep under general anesthesia the entire time.
Ports and Incisions
Three or four incisions are made. One at the navel, about 10 to 12 mm long, holds the camera; one to three more, about 5 mm each, are placed in the upper abdomen for instruments. A port is a short hollow tube that sits in each incision so instruments can pass in and out without enlarging the opening.
Carbon Dioxide and the Camera View
The abdomen is gently inflated with carbon dioxide, a gas the body absorbs easily. The gas lifts the abdominal wall away from the organs so the surgeon has room to see and work. The camera sends a magnified image to monitors in the operating room. Most of the gas is released at the end, and what remains can cause temporary shoulder-tip discomfort.
Freeing and Removing the Gallbladder
Dr. Shakir identifies the cystic duct, the gallbladder’s outlet, and the cystic artery, its blood supply. After confirming the anatomy, he seals them with clips, divides them, and frees the gallbladder from its bed on the underside of the liver. The gallbladder is placed in a retrieval bag and removed through the navel incision. The incisions are closed with absorbable stitches under the skin and skin glue or small dressings.
Safety Steps
How Is the Bile Duct Protected During Surgery?
The bile duct is protected by identifying the anatomy with certainty before any structure is clipped or cut. The main bile duct runs right next to the gallbladder’s outlet, and injuring it is the most serious complication of gallbladder surgery. Careful identification is the main safeguard.
The Critical View of Safety, in Plain Terms
The critical view of safety is a checkpoint the surgeon must reach before dividing anything. In plain terms:
- The fat and thin tissue are cleared from a small triangle-shaped area where the gallbladder meets the bile ducts.
- The lower part of the gallbladder is lifted off the liver.
- Exactly two structures, the cystic duct and the cystic artery, can then be seen entering the gallbladder, and nothing else.
Only when all three are true are the duct and artery clipped and divided. The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) lists this view first among its strategies for preventing bile duct injury.
When the Anatomy Is Not Clear
Severe inflammation or scarring can make the critical view impossible to reach safely. Surgeons are taught not to force it. Recognized safe alternatives include an X-ray of the bile ducts during surgery, removing most of the gallbladder while leaving a small portion attached to the liver (a subtotal cholecystectomy), placing a drainage tube, or converting to an open operation.
Bile Duct Stones and Cholangiography
When blood tests or imaging suggest a stone in the common bile duct, it is usually addressed before or around the time of surgery, often with an endoscopic procedure performed by a gastroenterologist. In some cases, an intraoperative cholangiogram is taken: contrast dye is injected into the cystic duct and an X-ray outlines the bile ducts, which can show the anatomy and reveal a duct stone. It is used when the situation calls for it rather than in every patient.
Conversion to Open
Why Would Laparoscopic Surgery Be Converted to Open?
A laparoscopic operation is converted to open surgery when continuing through small incisions would be less safe than switching to a larger one. It is a judgment made during surgery to protect the bile duct, not a failure or a complication.
Common reasons include:
- Severe inflammation of the gallbladder
- Dense scarring, including scar tissue from earlier abdominal operations
- Bleeding that is better controlled through a larger incision
- Anatomy that cannot be identified clearly
Conversion is uncommon for planned surgery and more likely when the gallbladder is acutely inflamed. If it happens, expect a hospital stay of a few days and a recovery of several weeks. Your consent form covers this possibility, and Dr. Shakir discusses your individual likelihood at your consultation.
Preparing for Surgery
How Do I Prepare for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?
Preparation starts at your consultation, where Dr. Shakir reviews your imaging and lab results, confirms the plan, and answers your questions before surgery day. You then receive instructions written for your health and your operation.
- Bring ultrasound or CT reports, blood work, and any ER records to your visit.
- Share a full list of medications and supplements. Blood thinners and some diabetes medicines are adjusted beforehand according to your instructions.
- Tell the team about previous abdominal surgery, allergies, and heart or lung conditions.
- Stop eating and drinking after midnight, or as instructed, and take only the medications you have been told to take.
- Arrange for an adult to drive you home and, ideally, stay with you the first night.
Do not stop a prescription medication unless the appropriate clinician tells you to. See our pre-operative guide for general instructions.
Surgery Day
What Happens on the Day of Surgery?
From arrival to discharge, a routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy takes about half a day. The operation itself usually lasts 45 to 75 minutes. Curious what affects the timing? Read how long gallbladder surgery takes.
1. Arrival
You arrive at the surgical center or hospital about two hours before surgery, having fasted as instructed. The team confirms your history, medications, and consent.
2. Anesthesia
An anesthesiologist reviews your history, places an IV, and puts you fully to sleep with general anesthesia. Medicine to prevent nausea is given routinely.
3. The Operation
Dr. Shakir places the ports, inflates the abdomen with carbon dioxide, reaches the critical view of safety, and removes the gallbladder in a retrieval bag through the navel.
4. Recovery Room
You wake 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.
5. Going Home
Most patients go home two to four hours after surgery with a driver, written instructions, and any prescriptions.
6. When an Overnight Stay Is Needed
An overnight stay is arranged if the gallbladder was acutely inflamed, the operation was difficult, or medical conditions call for monitoring.
After Surgery
Recovery After Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
Most people are back to light daily activity within a week and to normal activity within one to two weeks. Walking frequently from the first day helps. Your pace depends on how inflamed the gallbladder was, your overall health, and the work you do.
Days 1 to 3
Expect incision soreness, bloating, and shoulder-tip discomfort from the gas, which usually eases within a day or two. Walk often, shower after 24 to 48 hours, eat small low-fat meals, and use acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain as directed.
Week 1
Most patients are off prescription pain medication and back to light daily activity. Desk work is often possible within three to five days. Driving resumes once you are off narcotic pain medication and can brake comfortably.
Weeks 2 to 4
Most people return to a normal diet and normal activity. Lifting more than about 15 pounds and strenuous exercise are usually restricted for about two weeks, longer after a difficult operation. A follow-up visit is scheduled within one to two weeks of surgery.
When to Call After Surgery
After surgery, call the office or seek care promptly for fever over 101°F or chills, worsening abdominal pain or swelling, yellow skin or eyes, persistent vomiting, or redness or drainage from an incision. Calf swelling with chest pain or shortness of breath is an emergency. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
The full week-by-week timeline is in our gallbladder removal recovery guide and recovery time after gallbladder removal. General instructions are on the post-operative care page.
Diet and Digestion
What Can I Eat After Gallbladder Removal?
Start with small, low-fat meals for the first several days and advance as you feel ready; most people are back to a normal diet within a few weeks. Without a gallbladder, bile flows steadily into the intestine instead of being stored for large meals, so very large or greasy meals may be harder to handle at first.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals at first.
- Choose lower-fat, easily digested foods.
- Add fiber gradually and drink plenty of fluids.
- Go easy on greasy, fried, or spicy foods for a while.
Loose stools, bloating, or intolerance of very fatty foods can occur for a few weeks and usually settle. Symptoms that persist deserve a conversation with your doctor. For ideas, see foods to eat after gallbladder removal and a sample post-gallbladder surgery diet menu. For longer-term questions, read about the long-term effects of gallbladder removal and post-cholecystectomy syndrome.
Surgical Risks
Risks and Complications of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is safe with a low complication rate, but like any surgery it carries some risk, such as a bile leak, bleeding, infection or, rarely, bile duct injury. Schedule a consultation and Dr. Shakir will explain the risks that apply to you.
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Surgical Associates of Southern Texas for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?
Dr. Murtaza Shakir is board certified in General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology and offers laparoscopic gallbladder removal, with consultations in Katy and Sugar Land.
- Critical view of safety confirmed before any structure is divided
- Laparoscopic and robotic options, open only when safer
- Fellowship training in liver, bile duct and pancreatic surgery
- Clear guidance on surgery day and recovery
- Consultations and follow-up in Katy and Sugar Land
Insurance Coverage
Insurance for Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major insurance plans for laparoscopic gallbladder removal, including participating Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Our office can confirm whether your specific plan participates and whether a referral or prior authorization is needed before your visit.
Coverage, network participation, authorization requirements, and your share of the cost vary by plan. You can also review the insurance accepted for surgical care at our practice.
Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield are only some of the plans we accept. Plan-specific details are on our Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield pages. If your plan is not listed, contact our office and our team will help verify it.
Insurance participation and benefits vary by individual plan. Verification does not guarantee coverage, authorization or payment. Please contact our office and your insurer to verify benefits before treatment.
Our Locations
Two Convenient Fort Bend County Offices
Learn more about our Katy and Sugar Land practices, or view all locations.
Katy Office
410 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 4D
Katy, TX 77494
Serves: Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Cinco Ranch and West Houston
Sugar Land Office
17510 W Grand Pkwy S, Suite 320
Sugar Land, TX 77479
Serves: Sugar Land, Richmond, Stafford, Missouri City, Fort Bend County and Southwest Houston
Approximate Drive Times
From West Houston (Energy Corridor): about 15 minutes to Katy, or 25 to 30 minutes to Sugar Land.
From North Houston: about 40 to 50 minutes to either office, depending on traffic.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
What happens during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery?
Under general anesthesia, three or four small incisions are made and the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide. Using a camera and instruments, the surgeon identifies and seals the gallbladder’s duct and artery, frees the gallbladder from the liver, and removes it in a bag through the navel incision.
How long does the operation take?
Usually 45 to 75 minutes, longer if the gallbladder is inflamed or scarred. From arrival to discharge, plan on about half a day.
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 go back to work?
Desk work is often possible within three to five days. Physical jobs usually require one to two weeks, longer if heavy lifting is involved, and Dr. Shakir gives you a specific timeline.
Why is the gallbladder removed instead of only the stones?
Because the gallbladder that made the stones tends to make more. Removing only the stones is frequently followed by new ones, while removing the gallbladder treats the cause.
Why does my shoulder hurt after laparoscopic surgery?
A small amount of the carbon dioxide used to create working space can irritate the diaphragm, which is felt as shoulder-tip pain. Walking helps, and it usually eases within a day or two.
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?
Neither is automatically better; both are minimally invasive with small incisions and similar recovery. Laparoscopic surgery is the standard for most patients, and robotic surgery may be considered for difficult, inflamed, or scarred gallbladders, a high body-mass index, or prior upper abdominal surgery.
Does insurance cover laparoscopic gallbladder removal?
Coverage depends on your plan, and many plans require prior authorization before gallbladder surgery. Surgical Associates of Southern Texas accepts many major plans, and our staff helps gather what your insurer needs; contact the office to verify your benefits.
Sources and references
- Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy): Patient Information, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- The SAGES Safe Cholecystectomy Program: Strategies for Minimizing Bile Duct Injuries, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES)
- Laparoscopic gallbladder removal, MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Gallbladder removal – laparoscopic – discharge, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Treatment for Gallstones, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Reviewed by the Review Team at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas.
Medical Disclaimer: This page provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. For severe or persistent abdominal pain, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, problems after surgery, or other emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Last updated October 16, 2026.
Schedule a Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Consultation
Have symptomatic gallstones or been told you need your gallbladder removed? Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Murtaza Shakir to learn whether laparoscopic or robotic surgery fits, what happens on surgery day, and what recovery, diet and return to work will look like. Offices in Katy and Sugar Land serve Richmond, Fulshear and Greater Houston.
Contact us now