Private gallbladder surgery London and Essex

Spire London East is a well-established private hospital delivering comprehensive treatments and care to our patients in east and central London and Essex.

If you’re experiencing medical complications (such as bile duct blockage) due to gallstones, you can get fast access to our services. From diagnosis and consultations, through to treatments and aftercare, we’re here to help you get back to your daily life. Our expert consultants and multidisciplinary teams will provide you with a treatment and recovery plan that’s tailored to your needs.

Keyhole surgery

The standard procedure to remove the gallbladder is using keyhole surgery – also called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During keyhole surgery, only small incisions (cuts) are needed and smaller instruments are used. Keyhole surgery is usually the first choice because you typically recover faster and are left with smaller scars than with open surgery.

Open surgery

Open surgery requires one larger incision to access and remove your gallbladder. This may be needed for a number of reasons, including if you have scars from a previous operation. Occasionally, during a keyhole procedure, your consultant may not be able to access or remove your gallbladder and so may need to convert to an open surgery to complete the removal. Your consultant will explain this to you beforehand and answer any questions you might have.

Coming into hospital

We're located just a couple of miles from the M11 and only 20 minutes on the Central line tube to the city of London via Redbridge station. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Meeting your consultant

Your appointments will take place in one of our 22 private consultation rooms. When you meet your consultant, they’ll discuss your symptoms and any previous diagnosis you may have had. If you haven’t already been diagnosed, they may recommend additional tests and scans to help them decide the best treatment for you.

Your consultant will explain:

• How the procedure works
• What anaesthetic you’ll need
• The potential benefits and risks of gallbladder removal
• Your pre-operative assessment

Once you arrive at the hospital, you’ll meet the staff who’ll be looking after you.

The procedure

You’ll be given a general anaesthetic so you’ll be asleep during the operation. Keyhole gallbladder removal usually takes from one to two hours. Open surgery may take slightly longer.

When your consultant has finished, you’ll be taken to a private room where you can recover and relax for around six to eight hours. Your consultant or nursing team will advise you when you can go home.

Staying overnight

If you need to stay overnight, you’ll have your own en-suite room. All of our rooms have:

• Freeview TV
• En-suite
• Window
• Armchair
• Wardrobe
• WiFi
• Table

If you have open surgery, you’ll stay in hospital for three to five nights.

After your operation, you’ll probably feel some pain and discomfort. You’ll be given medication to manage this, and advice about over-the-counter painkillers you can take once you’re home.

Your consultant will give you advice about your recovery. Everyone recovers differently, but here’s a typical recovery timeline: