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In short
- What it is: gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is the operation carried out when gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder cause symptoms.
- How it is done: by laparoscopy (keyhole surgery), with small incisions, and in some cases with Da Vinci robotic surgery.
- Who performs it: Dr. José Cutillas Abellán, specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, who sees patients in English, Spanish and French.
- Price of the consultation: 85 € for the consultation and assessment.
- Where: consultation at Ananda Centro Médico Estético, Av. Nuestra Señora de Atocha 17, bajo, 30007 Murcia, Spain; surgery in hospital.
- Appointments: message us on WhatsApp in English on +34 658 65 25 47.
Video: Dr. Cutillas explains a gallbladder removal (in Spanish)
In this video, recorded just after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Dr. José Cutillas Abellán shows the removed gallbladder, full of stones, and explains the problems they can cause: pancreatitis, cholangitis or cholecystitis. The video is in Spanish. Warning: it contains images of a surgical procedure.
What is the gallbladder and why do stones form?
The gallbladder is a small organ under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps digest fats. Sometimes the bile thickens and forms stones (gallstones) or biliary sludge. It is very common in both women and men, especially from the age of 40.
Many people have gallstones without knowing it. The problem appears when a stone blocks the outlet of the gallbladder: that is when pain and, sometimes, inflammation start.
Symptoms of gallstones
- Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen or the pit of the stomach, which may spread to the back or the right shoulder (biliary colic)
- Pain that appears after large or fatty meals
- Nausea or vomiting
- Heavy digestion, wind or bloating
Go to A&E (the emergency department) if you have a fever with abdominal pain, if your skin or eyes turn yellow, or if the pain is very intense and does not ease.
When does the gallbladder need to be removed?
- When gallstones cause repeated attacks of colic or discomfort
- After an inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis)
- If stones have moved into the bile duct or have caused pancreatitis
- In some cases of gallbladder polyps
At the assessment, Dr. Cutillas reviews your symptoms and tests and tells you whether surgery is needed and when.
How it is done: laparoscopy and Da Vinci robotic surgery
Gallbladder removal is almost always done by laparoscopy: through a few small incisions in the abdomen, the surgeon inserts a camera and instruments to remove the gallbladder. Because the abdomen is not opened, there is less pain, smaller scars and a faster recovery.
Dr. Cutillas uses both laparoscopy and Da Vinci robotic surgery, depending on each case. In consultation he explains which technique is most suitable for you and why.
What the assessment includes
- History and examination: the doctor asks about your symptoms and examines you.
- Review of tests: if you have an abdominal ultrasound scan or blood tests, bring them. If any are needed, he will tell you.
- Treatment options: he explains whether surgery is advisable, with which technique and when.
- Quote: if you need surgery, he tells you the price and the next steps.
The consultation and assessment costs 85 €.
Consultation at Ananda, surgery in hospital
The consultation, assessment and check-ups take place at Ananda Centro Médico Estético in Murcia city, Av. Nuestra Señora de Atocha 17, bajo (30007 Murcia). Gallbladder removal is always carried out in a hospital with an operating theatre and all the necessary resources.
Recovery and life after gallbladder removal
- Most patients go home the same day or the next day
- You can walk from the first day
- Normal life is usually resumed within one or two weeks
- During the first weeks it is best to eat light, low-fat meals
- Check-up with Dr. Cutillas after the operation
You can live completely normally without a gallbladder: bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine.
Your doctor: Dr. José Cutillas Abellán
Medical Director of Ananda Centro Médico Estético in Murcia city and specialist in General and Digestive Surgery, with experience in laparoscopic and Da Vinci robotic surgery.
- Private consultation and personal care, with no waiting lists
- In Murcia city, with no need to travel to other cities
- Sees patients in English, Spanish and French
- Individual assessment before any operation
Frequently asked questions about the gallbladder
Where can I have my gallbladder removed in Murcia?
Dr. José Cutillas Abellán, English-speaking digestive surgeon, holds his consultation at Ananda Centro Médico Estético in Murcia city (Av. Nuestra Señora de Atocha 17, bajo). He assesses you there and, if you need surgery, the operation is carried out in a hospital with an operating theatre and all the necessary resources.
How much does the consultation cost?
The consultation and assessment with Dr. Cutillas costs 85 €. If you need surgery, the doctor explains the quote and the next steps.
How is the gallbladder removed?
Almost always by laparoscopy: a few small incisions are made in the abdomen and the gallbladder is removed with the help of a camera. In some cases Dr. Cutillas uses Da Vinci robotic surgery. The technique is chosen for each patient.
How long will I stay in hospital?
With laparoscopy, most patients go home the same day or the next day. The doctor confirms this at the assessment.
How long does recovery take?
Most people return to normal life within one or two weeks. If your job involves physical effort, you may need a little longer. You will receive clear advice and a check-up after the operation.
Can you live without a gallbladder?
Yes. Bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine and you can lead a normal life. Some people notice heavier digestion with very fatty meals at first, which usually improves over time.
Can gallstones be removed without surgery?
When gallstones cause symptoms, the effective treatment is to remove the gallbladder. Diets or remedies may ease things a little, but they do not remove the stones or stop the colic from coming back.
What tests should I bring?
If you have a recent abdominal ultrasound scan or blood tests, bring them. If you have none, the doctor will tell you which ones you need.
Does Dr. Cutillas speak English?
Yes. Dr. Cutillas sees patients in English, Spanish and French.
More information in English
- Hernias: inguinal, umbilical and abdominal wall
- Haemorrhoids: treatment without surgery
- Diastasis recti: assessment and treatment
- Digestive surgery in Murcia: all conditions and Dr. Cutillas’s private consultation
Gallbladder removal in Murcia for patients from Alicante, Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa
Many of Dr. Cutillas’s English-speaking patients live in Murcia city, the golf resorts near the airport (Corvera, Altaona, Sucina), the Mar Menor (Los Alcázares, San Javier, La Manga), Cartagena, Camposol and Mazarrón, and the Costa Blanca: Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa and Alicante.
Ananda Centro Médico Estético is in Murcia city, about 25 minutes by car from Región de Murcia International Airport (Corvera), around 45 minutes from Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa, and about an hour from Alicante. If you are coming over from the UK for a few days, it is easy to fit your appointment into your stay.
Do you have biliary colic, or have you been told you have gallstones?
Ask for your assessment with Dr. Cutillas at Ananda Centro Médico Estético in Murcia city. The consultation costs 85 € and is the first step to knowing which treatment you need.
