Symptomatic gallstones
Stones that cause recurring episodes of upper-abdominal pain, often called biliary colic.
General Surgery in Suffolk County, New York
Gallbladder & Appendix Surgery
Patient-focused evaluation and modern surgical care for gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, appendicitis, and related abdominal conditions—with clear guidance from diagnosis through recovery.
Gallbladder Conditions
When gallstones begin causing symptoms
The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile. Gallstones can form inside it and may cause pain when they block the normal flow of bile.
Gallstones without symptoms often do not require treatment. When attacks, inflammation, infection, pancreatitis, or bile-duct obstruction occur, further evaluation and treatment may be necessary.
Conditions evaluated
These can include symptomatic gallstones, biliary colic, acute or chronic cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, gallbladder polyps, and selected complications related to gallstones.
Common Diagnoses
Gallbladder problems are not all the same
The timing, severity, test results, and presence of complications help determine whether care is elective or urgent.
Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder that may cause persistent pain, tenderness, fever, or infection.
Biliary dyskinesia
Abnormal gallbladder emptying considered only after symptoms and testing have been carefully evaluated.
Bile-duct stones
Stones outside the gallbladder may cause jaundice or infection and sometimes require an endoscopic procedure.
Gallstone pancreatitis
Gallstones can obstruct drainage from the pancreas, producing inflammation that usually requires hospital care.
Gallbladder polyps
Growths found on imaging are assessed by their size, appearance, symptoms, and individual risk factors.
Evaluation & Diagnosis
Finding the cause of abdominal symptoms
Many digestive, cardiac, urinary, and musculoskeletal conditions can resemble gallbladder or appendix disease. Evaluation is tailored to the clinical situation.
History and examination
Review the location, timing, triggers, and progression of symptoms along with medical and surgical history.
Laboratory testing
Blood tests may look for infection, inflammation, anemia, liver abnormalities, or pancreatic involvement.
Imaging
Ultrasound is commonly used for gallstones. CT, MRI/MRCP, or other imaging may be appropriate in selected cases.
Functional testing
A HIDA scan may sometimes help evaluate gallbladder drainage or function when the diagnosis remains uncertain.
Gallbladder Treatment
Cholecystectomy: removing the gallbladder
For gallstones that cause symptoms or complications, the usual definitive treatment is removal of the gallbladder rather than removal of individual stones. The body can function without a gallbladder.
Minimally invasive surgery
Laparoscopic or robotic-assisted cholecystectomy uses a camera and instruments through several small incisions. Many uncomplicated procedures are performed without a prolonged hospital stay.
- General anesthesia is typically used.
- The gallbladder is separated and removed through an incision.
- The exact approach depends on anatomy, inflammation, prior surgery, and other factors.
Open surgery or conversion
Open surgery may be recommended or become necessary when inflammation, scar tissue, bleeding, anatomy, or another safety concern makes a minimally invasive approach unsuitable.
Conversion to an open operation is a clinical judgment made for patient safety and is not considered a surgical failure.
Every operation has potential risks. Depending on the procedure and the patient, these may include bleeding, infection, bile leak, bile-duct or nearby-organ injury, blood clots, hernia, anesthesia complications, or the need for another procedure. Your individual risks and alternatives should be reviewed during informed consent.
Appendicitis & Appendectomy
Appendicitis usually requires prompt evaluation
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small pouch connected to the beginning of the large intestine. Without treatment, an inflamed appendix can rupture and cause an abscess or widespread abdominal infection.
Evaluation commonly includes a physical examination, blood and urine testing, and imaging such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI depending on age, pregnancy status, and the clinical situation.
Treatment is individualized
Appendectomy remains a standard treatment and may be performed laparoscopically or through an open incision. Antibiotics are part of treatment; selected uncomplicated cases may sometimes be managed without immediate surgery after careful clinical discussion. Perforation or abscess can require a different sequence of antibiotics, drainage, and surgery.
Preparing & Recovering
What patients can generally expect
Instructions vary with the urgency and type of surgery, operative findings, medical conditions, and recovery. Follow the specific directions provided by the surgical and anesthesia teams.
Before surgery
Review medications, allergies, prior operations, testing, fasting instructions, transportation, and plans for help at home.
Day of surgery
The team reviews consent and anesthesia. After the procedure, pain control, nausea, walking, hydration, and safety for discharge are assessed.
At home
Gradually increase activity, care for incisions, follow lifting and driving restrictions, and keep the recommended postoperative appointment.
Call the surgical team as instructed for worsening pain, persistent vomiting, inability to drink, fever, increasing redness or drainage, jaundice, chest pain, shortness of breath, leg swelling, or another concerning change. Call 911 for a potentially life-threatening emergency.
Patient QuestionsPatient Questions
Frequently asked questions
General answers are provided for education. Recommendations may differ based on your diagnosis and medical history.
Do all gallstones require surgery?
No. Gallstones that are discovered incidentally and cause no symptoms often do not require treatment. Surgery is more commonly considered when stones cause recurrent attacks, inflammation, infection, pancreatitis, bile-duct obstruction, or another complication.
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Yes. The liver continues producing bile, which flows directly into the small intestine rather than being stored in the gallbladder. Some people notice temporary changes in bowel habits or food tolerance after surgery.
Why remove the gallbladder instead of only the stones?
When a diseased gallbladder remains in place, stones and symptoms can recur. For symptomatic gallstones, definitive treatment usually removes the gallbladder containing the stones.
Will my surgery be laparoscopic or robotic?
The approach depends on the diagnosis, urgency, anatomy, inflammation, prior surgery, available technology, and the surgeon’s clinical judgment. Open surgery may occasionally be the safest approach.
What should I eat after gallbladder surgery?
Many patients begin with lighter foods and gradually return to their usual diet as tolerated. Temporary sensitivity to large or high-fat meals can occur. Follow the individualized instructions provided after surgery.
Can appendicitis be treated with antibiotics alone?
Some carefully selected patients with uncomplicated appendicitis may be candidates for antibiotic treatment without immediate surgery. The possibility of recurrence and the risk of missing complicated disease must be discussed with the treating surgical team.
When should abdominal pain be treated as an emergency?
Seek urgent evaluation for severe, persistent, or rapidly worsening pain; pain accompanied by fever, repeated vomiting, jaundice, fainting, confusion, a rigid abdomen, or concern for appendicitis. Call 911 if symptoms may be life-threatening.
Medical review: Michael Orloff, MD, FACS
General surgeon • Suffolk Surgery PLLC • Last updated September 2026
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Request a consultation for non-emergency symptoms, an abnormal imaging result, or a surgical opinion. Offices serve patients in Commack, Lindenhurst, and communities throughout Suffolk County.
This page provides general educational information and does not establish a physician–patient relationship or replace individualized medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911.