The gallbladder. Removal of stones. Removal of polyps. Without removing the gallbladder. Operation. Laparoscopy.
Surgical Procedures: Appointment and Registration
Surgical procedures are performed only with prior registration. To schedule an appointment for surgery, please follow the steps below:
Step-by-Step Process:
- Submit Required Documents
- Provide a regular ultrasound report (including a description and, preferably, an image of the gallbladder)
- A clear photo of your passport
- Answer the following questions:
- How frequently do you experience pain?
- Have you had previous surgeries under general anesthesia?
- Do you have any other diagnosed conditions?
- Are you currently taking any daily medications?
- What is your height and weight?
- Approximately, when are you planning your trip?
- Wait for a Response
You will receive a response within 24 hours. - Preliminary Admission
You will receive a letter confirming preliminary approval for the surgery. - Register for Surgery
Complete your registration once you're listed as a patient. Prepare for your trip.
Important Notes:
- Entry to China: You must enter China within 3 months from the date of receiving your visa.
- For Patients Experiencing Pain: A new ultrasound with an image of the gallbladder must be done before your flight for surgery.
- Recommended diet after gallbladder surgery
- Lifestyle guidelines after gallbladder surgery
- Medication instructions
- Contraindications for surgery
- Indications for surgery
Reminder for Patients Traveling for Surgery:
We recommend planning your trip for surgery 1-3 months in advance.
During this time, we will review all medical tests and health data, approve your admission for surgery, reserve a hospital room, schedule the surgery, and help you prepare the necessary documents. You will also need to purchase flight tickets and obtain a PRC visa.
The total hospital stay, including examination, surgery, and recovery, lasts 5 or 6 days, depending on your return flight date.
The final decision to proceed with surgery will be made after a comprehensive examination at our hospital.
Travel Preparation:
- Pack Light: Avoid bringing unnecessary or heavy items, as lifting heavy objects is not recommended after surgery. A wheeled bag is a good choice for easier transport.
- Medications: If you take certain medications regularly, do not interrupt your treatment. Bring your medications with you and continue taking them as usual during your trip.
- If Inflammation is Present: If recent ultrasound results show inflammation, you can continue the prescribed treatment (7-14 days) until you arrive at the hospital.
- Dietary Instructions: Once you have received admission for surgery, begin following a special diet to avoid triggering an attack before the surgery, otherwise the surgery might be postponed for 2-4 weeks.
Upon your arrival, the driver will meet you at the airport. The next morning, blood tests will be performed, and you will undergo a comprehensive examination. Preoperative diagnostics include: abdominal and heart ultrasound, electrocardiogram (ECG), CT scan of the abdomen, and chest X-ray. Afterward, you will have lunch and wait for the results. Test results are usually available within 2-3 hours. If no contraindications are found, the necessary documents will be prepared (Consent for surgery, anesthesia, etc.), and you will have a discussion about the surgery preparation, the procedure itself, and the post-operative treatment plan.
No food after 10 p.m. and no drinking after 1 a.m., as surgery will be performed the next morning.
6-8 hours after surgery, you will be allowed to get up and move around. It’s recommended to walk as much as possible the day after surgery. Our medical team will provide continuous guidance on your recovery program.
You will typically be discharged on the 6th day after your arrival at the hospital.
On the day of discharge, you will receive a comprehensive "Discharge Recommendations" document regarding your lifestyle and diet post-surgery. You will also be prescribed a course of medications to take for the next 2 months.
A control ultrasound should be performed 3-4 weeks after finishing the post-operative medication course.
Indications for Surgery:
- A single stone with an echogenic shadow larger than 4 mm or multiple stones of any size in the gallbladder.
- A single polyp in the gallbladder larger than 5 mm.
- Multiple polyps in the gallbladder of 3 mm and more.
- One or more stones of any size in the bile duct, or sand in the bile duct.
- Stones adhering to the walls of the gallbladder or embedded within them.
- Thick, putty-like bile with sand in the gallbladder or bile duct.
- Thick, stagnant bile with sand.
Contraindications for Surgery:
The following conditions may prevent the performance of gallbladder-preserving surgery:
- Previous abdominal or heart surgeries (each case is evaluated individually).
- Inflammation of the gallbladder (absence of pain and minor thickening of the wall at the gallbladder's base are not contraindications).
- Diabetes (subject to discussion).
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Tuberculosis.
- Liver cirrhosis.
- Choledocholithiasis (presence of stones in the common bile duct requires prior surgical intervention).
- Abnormally small gallbladder size.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) over 29 (evaluated individually).
- Atrophy of the gallbladder.
- Intrahepatic gallbladder.
- Mirizzi syndrome.
- Pyelonephritis (diagnosis must be confirmed).
- Acute pancreatitis.
- Overall health status that may preclude surgery.
- Suspicion of malignant tumors in the abdominal cavity.
- Age under 6 years.
Age over 60 is NOT a contraindication.
Having a mesh at the umbilical site, umbilical hernia, or multiple adhesions in the abdominal cavity is not a contraindication. In such cases, the surgery is performed through one incision in the right upper quadrant.
Each individual's health situation is unique, and exceptions may apply in specific cases.
To clarify the possibility of undergoing surgery, please send your gallbladder or abdominal ultrasound, MRI, or CT results to info@nogallstones.com.