Gallstones

If you suffer with upper abdominal pain that is worse after eating, often makes you feel sick, and may feel like it is going through to your back – Gallstones may be the cause. I would be happy to see you and discuss investigations with you.

Overview

Investigations usually take the form of an ultrasound scan and blood tests. In some circumstances an MRI scan or CT scan may be required.

Gallstones are very common and do not cause any problems in many people. If you have gallstones and have regular attacks of pain particularly after food it may be worth considering surgery and I would be happy to discuss this with you.

In some circumstances gallstones can cause more severe symptoms.

Gallstones

Infection

Sometimes the gallstones can cause your gallbladder to become inflamed and infected. This is a condition called acute cholecystitis. It causes severe pain, fever and you are generally unwell. Often people are admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotics. In these circumstances it is wise to have your gallbladder and the stones removed to prevent further attacks.

​Pancreatitis

Sometimes tiny stones can slip out of the gallbladder and cause inflammation of the pancreas. This can cause a life threatening condition called pancreatitis. If you have had pancreatitis and have gallstones it is wise to have your gallbladder removed.

Jaundice

Sometimes stones can slip out of the gallbladder and block the tube from your liver to your gut known as the bile duct. If this happens you may become jaundiced or “yellow”. Once the jaundice is treated it would be wise to have your gall bladder removed.

Removal of the gallbladder or “cholecystectomy” is one of the commonest operations performed world wide and it is usually done by key hole means.

The gallbladder is pealed away from the liver, a clip is placed at the bottom of it and it is cut away. It is then removed out of your body with the gallstones it contains through one of the “key holes”.

In general it is a very safe operation but there are some risks and I will go through these with you in clinic.

Read more about living without a gallbladder

FAQs

Case Study: A patient with gallstones

Mrs SA had several admissions to her local NHS hospital with inflammation of her gallbladder. She felt like she was getting nowhere and was not being taken seriously by her consultant or her hospital and felt like she was seeing a different doctor each time.

She decided to see Mr Peravali at Little Aston Spire Hospital. Mr Peravali performed her operation within 2 weeks of seeing her. She had an uneventful operation and is over the moon with the results.

Videos about gallstone surgery

What happens during the consultation?

I’ve had abdominal pain that comes and goes for a while now. What is a the cause? Could it be gallstones?

What are gallstones and how are they treated?

So you been seen in the outpatients and it turns out that you have gallstones. But what exactly ARE gallstones and how are they treated?

What can I expect on the day of surgery?

What can I expect on the day of surgery? Will I need to stay in overnight? Will I have a big scar?

How is the gallbladder removed?

How exactly is the gallbladder removed? Is it a keyhole operation?

Can I live without my gallbladder?

Does it matter if I have my gallbladder removed? Can I still live life as normal?

Wound care after gallbladder surgery

Will I have stitches that need to be removed after my gallbladder operation?

Driving after gallbadder surgery

When will I be able to drive again after having my gallbladder removed?

Patient Testimonials

“I was so pleased knowing I was in safe hands.”

Mr Peravali showed me great respect and impressed me right from my first appointment gaining my full trust. I was so pleased knowing I was in safe hands. His knowledge and reputation in what he does is superb. I very much appreciated Mr Peravali visiting me the very next morning after the operation to check and ensure everything was ok. The information he provided me about before, during and after the operation was great and very useful. I thank sincerely Mr Peravali for taking good care of me.

Mr Peravali was extremely professional whilst being approachable to ask any questions about the operation and recovery. His supporting team made me feel like I was in safe hands, again exchanges of conversations between us made me very relaxed.

“I cannot fault the care I received”

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the care and kindness you showed me before during and after my prolapse operation. I cannot fault the care I received and I hope you carry on providing this high level of care to your patients.

Mrs. F.A

"I have no hesitation in recommending your skills to other people"

You carried out an operation for my abdominal hernias at Spire Little Aston Hospital.

I wish to express my thanks to you and your staff for the high standard of clinical and patient care I received. The pain and discomfort from the hernias have gone and I now feel so much better after the operation.

Thank you so much and I have no hesitation in recommending your skills to other people with similar problems.

Mr. B.B.

"The care I received was first class"

Just a short note to thank you and your team for the treatment and care you gave me during and after my cancer operation.

After first meeting you,  both my wife and myself had total confidence in you. What really impressed us was the aftercare you and your team provided.

The care I received was first class and I witnessed first-hand how dedicated you and your team are to your patients.

Mr. L.D. & Mrs. T.D.

"We really appreciated your honest and comforting approach"

I would like to say a big thank you to you for my mom’s treatment. We really appreciated your honest and comforting approach and support – sometimes with not good news but always with a smile, a plan and complete reassurance that in your hands my mom would be ok.

We particularly welcomed your well needed lightness and laughter.  On the day of the surgery you took time to talk to my mom as well as myself and my sister which really helped us all. My mom has made a fantastic recovery and is better than ever – thank you once again and we will be for ever indebted to you.

Mrs. M.K.

"Excellent outcome"

We are writing to say how pleased we are with Dr Rajeev Peravali who saved my mum’s life in March when she was admitted to Hospital with severe abdominal pain. She had an ileostomy at the time. He subsequently reversed her ileostomy and has had an excellent outcome once again thanks to Dr Peravali.

Mrs. A.S. & family

"Helped me a great deal"

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the surgery you performed to remove a cancer from my colon.

I would also like to thank you for the time and information you gave me throughout and after the procedure, I found that helped me a great deal.

Mr. R.U.

"The work you do is outstanding"

I would like to say a huge thank you to you and your team for the specialist care you gave throughout my operation. The work you do is outstanding and I will be forever grateful for what you have done for me.

Mr. D.W.

"I will never be able to thank you enough"

I am writing to express my gratitude for the treatment I received at your hands. Everyone was so wonderful. The day I was admitted to hospital was one of the toughest times in my life. The personal attention and kindness shown by you, coupled by the caring attitude of the hospital staff helped me overcome my fears about surgery.

I want you to know that you are doing a wonderful job and I will never be able to thank you enough. The support and advice I received from you before undergoing the surgery was crucial in my speedy recovery. I will recommend you not just as a doctor but also as a great human being who is a good listener with lots of patience with a caring attitude.

Mr. I.W.

"Very very pleased thank you."

I felt very relaxed and confident with Mr Peravali’s explanation of the procedure to take place. After the procedure I am really pleased with the outcome .could not have been better no pain no inflammation. Very very pleased thank you.

 

 

"Was easy to speak to and be empathetic."

Mr Peravali was very approachable made me feel at ease, wanted to help with my pain and felt he meant it. Was easy to speak to and be empathetic. Had been putting off seeing anyone but if I had known what the consultant was like I would have gone sooner.

 

"Very efficient and gave me a lot of confidence about the operation"

Wearing hearing aids makes life a bit more complicated , Mr Peravali was very patient with me and made sure I understood everything . Very efficient and gave me a lot of confidence about the operation . Also found time to pass a few pleasant remarks .

My consultant shows that he's competent and is experienced in what he does. I think he was being thorough with the procedure to make sure I was in the clear. Thanks again to Mr Peravali

The consultant was very good. He came to talk me through the procedure before hand and asked if I had any questions. He also came after the procedure and told me how it went again asking if I had any questions. He also explained how my recovery should go. Thank you Mr Peravali

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