Gallbladder / gallstone removal (cholecystectomy) at Spire Parkway Hospital

Spire Parkway is an established local private hospital providing comprehensive treatments and care to our patients in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

Our consultants offer gallbladder removal when prolonged pain and discomfort from gallstones and bile duct blockage is affecting your daily life. You’ll be looked after by our experienced multidisciplinary team throughout your treatment and recovery.

You can get fast access to diagnostic tests and scans and treatment, so you won’t need to wait long to get the healthcare you need.

Keyhole surgery is most often performed for gallbladder removal because it means smaller incisions (cuts) and a shorter recovery period than with open surgery. Keyhole procedures that we offer include:

• Standard keyhole removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) – small incisions are made and small instruments are used
• Mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) – even smaller incisions and instruments are used so you should have smaller scars and recover faster than with standard keyhole surgery

These procedures may not be suitable for everyone and sometimes open surgery may be required - such as if you've had previous surgery to your abdomen. Occasionally, during a keyhole procedure, your consultant may not be able to access or remove your gallbladder and may therefore 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.

Getting here

Spire Parkway is situated a few miles south of Birmingham city centre in Solihull, the hospital is near to both Birmingham International and Solihull train stations. We have free on-site parking for you and your visitors.

Your consultation

Your initial appointments will take place in one of our 14 private consultation rooms. Your consultant will discuss with you:

• Your symptoms and medical history
• The anaesthetic you’ll have
• The potential benefits and risks of the procedure
• Whether you need any additional tests or scans before they can recommend surgery
• What your pre-operative assessment will involve

You’ll also be given plenty of information about the procedure and a typical recovery timeline.

When you arrive at the hospital for your operation, you’ll meet the multidisciplinary team that will be looking after you.

Anaesthetic

You’ll be given anaesthetic for the operation. This is usually a general anaesthetic where you’ll be completely asleep – this is used most often for keyhole surgery. If necessary, you may have a spinal, epidural or local anaesthetic, where you’ll be awake but won’t be able to feel any pain in the area being operated on.

The procedure

Gallbladder removal typically takes between one and two hours for keyhole surgery. It’s often a little longer for open surgery.

Your hospital stay

If you’re having keyhole surgery, you won’t usually need to stay overnight. After your operation, you’ll be taken to a private room in our ward to recover until your consultant is happy for you to go home. This is usually for about six hours.

If you have open surgery, you’ll need to stay in hospital for around three to five nights. You’ll stay in one of our private, en-suite rooms, which will have:

• TV
• En-suite
• Window
• Armchair
• Free WiFi

Your nursing team will give you painkillers to help with any pain or discomfort you may feel after surgery. They’ll also give you advice about what painkillers you can take when you leave hospital if needed.

Your consultant will be able to advise you on your expected recovery period. As a guide, here’s a typical recovery timeline: