The patient needs gallbladder surgery in the following conditions/symptoms -

• Gallbladder attack- sharp, shooting, knife like pain in the lower abdomen that may last for several hours. 
• Gallstones cause blockade of the bile duct
• Sickle cell anemia patients may require gallbladder surgery, as a precaution to avoid symptoms of gallstones
• Cholecystitis- inflamed gallbladder
• Pancreatitis- inflamed pancreas
• Cholangitis- inflamed bile ducts

The tests done before the gall bladder surgery are- 

• Physical examination 
• Blood tests
• Ultrasound
• MRI HIDA scan
• Endoscopic ultrasonography

The patient is given general anesthesia and a tube is inserted in the throat to assist in breathing while the surgery is performed. 

The 2 methods of gallbladder surgery are-

1. Open Gallbladder Surgery- In this method, a large 5-7 inch incision is made in the abdomen region to remove the entire gallbladder. This is done if the patient has a bleeding disorder, is overweight or is in the last trimester of pregnancy.

2. Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery- This is also known as keyhole surgery. Small cuts are made in the abdomen, a very thin flexible tube is inserted which has light attached and tiny video camera attached. Then small instruments are inserted to remove the gallbladder. 

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Swelling
• Bile leakage
• Allergies or problems associated with anesthesia
• Bile duct damage
• Intestines, bowel or blood vessels damage
• Deep vein thrombosis ( blood clots )
• Heart problems
• Pneumonia
• Post cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) - this happens when gallstones are left in the bile ducts after the surgery or the bile starts leaking in the stomach. Symptoms include- belly pain, heartburn, diarrhea. 

• Patients undergoing open gallbladder surgery must be discharged 2-3 days after the surgery and take 4-6 weeks to recover completely. 
• Incase of laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, the patient is discharged on the same day or next day. 
• The steps of care need to followed at home are-
• Specific bathing instructions, to keep the area clean and dry
• Pain may be felt for a few days at the incision site, painkillers must be taken as prescribed. 
• Strenuous physical activities must be avoided till patient completely recovers
• Post surgery work must be resumed by the patient only when advised by the doctor. 
• Patients must strictly attend the follow up appointments and follow the diet chart as given by the doctor.