Gallbladder Surgery in Miami, FL

Gallbladder disease can result when the flow of bile, a fluid that breaks down fat during digestion, from the gallbladder is slowed or blocked. Gallstones, also called cholelithiasis, are a common condition that block the bile flow. If the gallbladder becomes inflamed as a result of a build-up of bile, a condition known as cholecystitis can develop. Both of these conditions can cause the gallbladder to become very painful.

There are a number of factors that increase your risk for gallbladder disease, including:

• Obesity
• Increased levels of estrogen (Putting women at higher risk than men)
• Diabetes
• Rapid weight loss
• Liver disease or blood disease
• Age (Gallstones are more common in older patients)

Gallbladder surgery can be used to treat severe cases of gallbladder disease by surgically removing the gallbladder and gallstones. Dr. A. Enrique Whittwell, a board-certified general surgeon in Miami, Florida, is an expert in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a gallbladder surgery that uses a small lighted camera called a laparoscope during the surgery.

Since this laparoscopic surgery uses small incisions, it is associated with a lower risk of infection and complications during the surgery, and a shorter recovery time after surgery. In fact, many of our gallbladder patients can return home from the hospital the same day as the surgery.

Depending on the complexity of the gallbladder surgery, Dr. Whittwell may also use the da Vinci® robotic system to perform the procedure.

For more information on Dr. Whittwell’s gallbladder surgery techniques and to ask any questions you may have about gallbladder surgery, contact our Miami, Florida office today at (305) 665-0100. To set up a consultation, you can also request an appointment online.