I'm scared for my dad.?

Question

So my mom told me this morning when I woke up that she was taking my dad to the emergency room.
She said he came home from work throwing up, stomach hurting, and hurting around the shoulderblades.

He's in the hospital, and he has a bunch of gallstones.
My mom said he has to have his gall bladder taken out tomorrow.

First of all does anyone know what the gall bladder does?
And is this a "common" surgery?

Thanks for anyone that has information.
I really don't like seeing my dad like this.

Answer 1

Gallbladder surgery is very common.

Gallstones are really common..

If they are going to do the surgery tomorrow, that means he doesn't have an infection in his gallbladder. If he did, they would treat the infection first. That is a good sign.

Your gallbladder is where the bile goes from the liver. It stays there awhile, then it goes into your intestine to help digestion. If you don't have a gallbladder, the bile still gets where it needs to go, so you don't miss it.

Gallstones form in the gallbladder of a lot of people over time. If they block the outlet, you can get the symptoms your father had.

The most common way of removing the gallbladder these days is with a laparoscope. They just make a few small cuts through your skin and stick in tubes with cameras so they can see and other tubes they can use surgical instruments through. They close the cuts with a couple of stitches and put band-aids on them. Because they don't cut muscles during this surgery, the patients recover a lot faster than they would if they have a big incision. They still do the surgery with a larger incision, though.

There is very little risk from the surgery itself, because it takes very little time. The less time under anesthesia, the less the risk.

I'm sending you links to Wikipedia articles on the gallbladder and on gallstones in case you want to read up on them.

You have nothing to be worried about.

Answer 2

Gall Bladder surgery is fairly common. The Gall Bladder is not something a person has to have. I know many young people that have gone through this and are perfectly fine. Don't worry, he'll be back home and better before you know it!

Answer 3

the gall bladder stores bile which is used in digestion to break down fats... this is a very common surgery... I work in outpatient surgery as a nurse and we usually do a couple of them a day... hopefully they will do it laparoscopically which means they take it out with a couple of small incisions... if they don't that's ok, it may just take a couple more days to recuperate... You are very sweet for being concerned, and I know it is hard to see anyone you love in pain and not feeling well... I will pray for him tonight and hope everything turns out well... good luck!!

Answer 4

It's a pretty common surgery. My mom and sister both had it and recovered very quickly. It's extremely painful when you're having an attack, but it's not anything life threatening. I'm sure your dad will do fine and be home before you know it.

Answer 5

This is considered the most successful of all surgeries. The gallbladder stores bile and aids with digestion. I had mine removed four years ago.

Answer 6

This happened to my dad a couple years ago. He was fine. I was really young then, but i knew that he did fine. dont be scared. it will all be ok

Answer 7

He'll be ok

Talk to your biology teacher or school nurse.. They'll be able to explain things on your level.....

Answer 8

yeah it is sortof a common one, i have had an uncle that has had that done. he will be okay as soon as they get it out. dont worry. ur dad is going ot be fine in a few days.
and im not real sure wat it does.