Planning Ahead in Case You Need Surgery

Two of the most common surgeries performed in the United States are appendix and gallbladder removal. Sometimes the warning signs for these conditions come on slowly and there is time to plan.  Often, however, they come on suddenly and require emergency surgery. Knowing your options ahead of time can make your surgical journey a little bit less stressful.

What is appendicitis?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a small, finger-shaped tube located at the lower right side of the abdomen. The appendix doesn’t play a vital role in the body, however, because it is close to the large intestine, it can become infected from the buildup of stool, bacteria, etc.

Common symptoms of appendicitis include:

• Sudden pain that begins around the belly button or on the right side of the lower abdomen
• Worsening pain with coughing, walking or sudden movement
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Swollen or bloated belly
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Inability to pass gas

What is an appendectomy?

A common treatment for appendicitis is an appendectomy—the surgical removal of the appendix. Appendicitis requires urgent medical attention by your primary care doctor or the nearest emergency room.

What is the function of the gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is a small, finger-shaped tube that sits on the upper right side of the abdomen, just below the liver. It stores the bile produced by your liver and releases it into the small intestine to support digestion.

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are small stones formed from bile salts and cholesterol. If one or more gallstones get stuck leaving your gallbladder through bile ducts, it can cause severe pain and other symptoms which can also inflame your pancreas.

If you have signs of a gallbladder issue, such as gallstones, cancer or another problem, urgent medical attention is required. Contact your primary care doctor or the nearest emergency room immediately. If symptoms become too difficult to manage or affect everyday life, gallbladder removal surgery—called a cholecystectomy—may be needed.

Signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for cholecystectomy include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Inflammation of the gallbladder
• Indigestion
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Persistent abdominal pain
• Severe discomfort after meals

What to expect during surgery:

It is possible to live a healthy life without an appendix or gallbladder. Both appendix and gallbladder removal are common and straightforward procedures done by general surgeons in a hospital. Anesthesia is given before and during surgery. Bronson Battle Creek has an anesthesiologist in-house 24/7 which gets you into surgery more quickly.

The recovery time for both procedures depends on whether you have minimally invasive robotic/laparoscopic surgery or open surgery.

• Minimally invasive surgery involves a few small incisions and can be done laparoscopically or robotically. Recovery is typically shorter and easier compared to an open procedure, with less time spent in the hospital as well as less pain, less blood loss and less scarring. This means a faster return to daily activities.
• Open surgery involves a single, large incision. With open surgery, you will typically spend more time in the hospital and recovering at home.

General Surgery Areas of Care

When you choose Bronson for your surgery, you can expect the highest quality care and feel confident that you will be well cared for.

• Digestive tract — esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum and anus 
• Abdomen — stomach, gallbladder, biliary tract, liver, pancreas, spleen and all types of hernias
• Breast — all types of benign and malignant disease, including breast conserving procedures
• Skin and underlying tissue — all types of benign and malignant disease
• Endocrine system — thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands
• Endoscopy – performance of lower and upper GI tract endoscopy
• Head and neck surgery — endocrine, benign and malignant disorders
• Surgical critical care — care of critically ill patients with surgical conditions in need of intensive care
• Surgical oncology — management of surgical treatment and coordination of all aspects of cancer care

Additional Surgery Specialties

Whether you need inpatient (overnight stay) or outpatient (go home same day) surgery, patient care is our number one priority. Our areas of expertise include:

• Breast surgery – surgical treatment for breast abnormalities and cancer
• Cardiac surgery – surgical treatment for the heart, lungs, esophagus and other organs in the chest
• Colorectal surgery – surgical treatment for the anus, rectum and colon
• General surgery – surgical treatment for the abdomen, digestive tract, endocrine system, hernia, skin and those who are injured or critically ill
• Gynecologic surgery – surgical treatment of the female reproductive system, such as colposcopy, D&C, hysterectomy, LEEP, tubal ligation
• Neurosurgery – surgical treatment for the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord
• Orthopedic surgery – surgical treatment of the bones and joints
• Otolaryngology (ENT) surgery – surgical treatment for medical issues and diseases of the sinuses, nose, ears, tonsils, throat and neck as well as surgery of head and neck tumors, including those of the thyroid and parotid glands
• Pediatric surgery – surgical treatment for patients from birth to age 17
• Plastic surgery – cosmetic, medical and reconstructive surgical treatments of the face and body
• Prostate surgery – surgical treatment of the prostate, the male reproductive gland
• Robotic surgery – Allows our surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures through very small incisions using robotic technology
• Trauma surgery – surgical treatment for traumatic injuries, usually caused by an impact or catastrophic incident
• Vascular surgery – surgical treatment for diseases of the vascular system, or arteries and veins

Learn More About Our Surgery Services