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All seven Medical Spheres ›Many people have gallstones without knowing it. If they trigger colic or the gallbladder becomes inflamed, it is usually removed – by keyhole surgery through a few small incisions, with a short stay in hospital.
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Typical figures from the clinics. Your personal plan is discussed at the preliminary consultation.
Gallstones
The gallbladder lies beneath the liver: a pear-shaped pouch in which bile collects. During a meal, the gallbladder contracts and releases the fluid into the intestine, where it makes fat digestible. If the bile contains more cholesterol than it can keep dissolved, crystals form – and over the years, these can grow into stones.
Women are affected more often than men, and the risk increases with age, with excess weight and with a family tendency. Rapid weight loss, for example after obesity surgery, also favours stones. Most people who have them notice nothing: the stones are discovered by chance on ultrasound and, as long as they stay quiet, are simply monitored.
If a stone becomes lodged in the outlet of the gallbladder, the organ contracts in spasms. This biliary colic causes severe, wave-like pain in the right upper abdomen, often radiates to the back or shoulder and typically begins after a fatty meal, usually accompanied by nausea. A first episode of colic is often followed by more.
Warning signs are fever, pain that does not ease, and yellow skin or yellowish eyes, often together with dark urine and pale stools. This may point to an inflamed gallbladder or a stone blocking the bile duct – which should be checked by a doctor the same day.
The treatment
The whole gallbladder is removed together with the stones. Taking out the stones alone does little good: new ones would usually soon form in the remaining gallbladder.
A camera and fine instruments enter the abdomen through openings of five to ten millimetres. A larger incision is needed only in exceptional cases, for example after previous operations.
The liver continues to produce bile as before. Instead of storing it in between, the bile duct now carries it continuously into the intestine – the body usually gets used to this after a short time.
The path
Whether to operate is decided by the symptoms – not by the ultrasound alone. After an episode of colic, a planned date is usually arranged; with acute inflammation, surgery takes place promptly.
A consultation, physical examination, ultrasound and blood tests are usually enough. If there are signs of a stone in the bile duct, further tests clarify the situation.
The specialist discusses timing, procedure and risks, and the anaesthesia team the anaesthetic. Please bring previous test results and your current list of medications.
Under general anaesthesia, usually in less than an hour. The abdominal cavity is expanded with gas, the duct and blood vessel of the gallbladder are sealed, and the organ is detached from the liver and removed through one of the openings.
Drinking, light food and the first steps are often possible the same evening. Wound pain can be relieved well with medication; most patients go home after a few nights.
Wound checks are carried out by the clinic or your GP. Until the abdominal wall can take strain again, a personal plan applies for work, lifting and sport.
Statutory or private insurance
Statutory health insurance
If gallstones cause colic or complications, surgery is considered medically indicated. German statutory health insurance then covers the procedure and the hospital stay at the Bürgerspital Wertheim, which is approved as a hospital under the state hospital plan.
For the first appointment, bring your health insurance card and, if you have one, a referral from your GP or specialist.
Private insurance or self-pay
Private health insurers cover the medically necessary procedure according to their policy terms. Privately insured and self-pay patients can also have the operation at the Main-Tauber-Klinik, a private clinic under the same roof.
Optional extras are available on request, such as a room with superior amenities. Self-pay patients clarify the costs with the clinic before the procedure.
Specialists
The gallbladder is removed by specialists in general and abdominal surgery who operate at both clinics in Wertheim.
Locations
Each clinic shows on its own website how the treatment works there.
Germany
Under one roof, with endoscopy in the hospital: patients with statutory health insurance have their operation at the Bürgerspital; privately insured and self-pay patients can also choose the Main-Tauber-Klinik.
Frequently asked questions
No. Stones that cause no symptoms usually have no consequences and are simply kept under observation. After colic or inflammation, on the other hand, surgery is generally recommended – in rare cases even without symptoms, for example if the stones are very large.
As a rule, yes. In the first few weeks, some people tolerate very fatty foods less well or have softer, more frequent stools; this usually settles. A special long-term diet is generally not needed.
After a planned procedure, usually one to three nights. If the gallbladder was acutely inflamed or there are other conditions, the stay may be longer.
Usually three to four small scars of five to ten millimetres, one of them often at the navel. They fade over time; how inconspicuous they become varies from person to person.
As after any abdominal operation, bleeding, wound infections and thrombosis are possible. Rarely, bile leaks or the main bile duct is injured; further treatment is then needed. Occasionally, the surgeon has to switch to a larger incision during the procedure.
Office work is often possible again after one to two weeks, physically demanding work later. It is best to wait four to six weeks before doing sport or heavy lifting, until the abdominal wall can take strain.
It is then usually removed before the operation during an endoscopy via the mouth and stomach, known as ERCP – without an incision. The gallbladder is then taken out so that no further stones can slip down.
Yes, if it is medically indicated, for example after colic or with inflammation. Patients with statutory health insurance have the operation at the Bürgerspital Wertheim; private insurers pay according to their policy, also for a procedure at the Main-Tauber-Klinik.
Further reading
In-depth articles from the group's clinics.
Consultation
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Reviews
CGCE GroupVerified
5,888 reviews on ProvenExpert
This was the best decision I have ever taken for myself. The whole experience has changed my life for the better. From the first consultation I felt welcomed and treated very well. I did not feel alone during the journey because the team were just a WhatsApp away and they made regular check-ups on me. Thank you for everyone at the hospital from the staff to the doctors, you are all amazing.
Weight Doctors South AfricaWow, was für ein erster Eindruck! Dr. Frank Gruner, dessen Professionalität von jahrelanger Erfahrung zeugt, war äußerst verständlich und menschlich (was mir sehr wichtig war). Er verstand meine Bedürfnisse, und seine Erklärungen und Anweisungen entsprachen genau meinen Vorstellungen. Die Patientenberaterin Jennifer war mit ihrem Charme ebenfalls eine große Hilfe und erklärte mir alles Notwendige und den weiteren Ablauf. Auch die Mitarbeiter am Empfang waren sehr höflich und freundlich. Ich melde mich nach der Operation mit meinen Eindrücken zurück. Vielen Dank an alle!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch habe eine Unterlidstraffung machen lassen und bin mit dem Ergebnis sehr zufrieden. Mein Dank geht vor allem an Frau Dr. Simidjiiska für ihre Fürsorge, Kompetenz und Empathie. Aber auch das gesamte Team der Klinik macht einen hervorragenden Job!
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin rundum begeistert von meiner Erfahrung in dieser Haartransplantationsklinik. Von der ersten Kontaktaufnahme bis zur Nachsorge war alles hervorragend organisiert und professionell. Das gesamte Team war unglaublich freundlich, hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Man hat sich jederzeit gut aufgehoben und ernst genommen gefühlt. Besonders positiv fand ich, dass sich alle Mitarbeiter ausreichend Zeit genommen haben, um meine Fragen zu beantworten und jeden Schritt verständlich zu erklären. Auch der Service war erstklassig. Die Organisation, die Betreuung vor und nach dem Eingriff sowie die Kommunikation waren wirklich hervorragend. Das gesamte Team hat einen sehr kompetenten und gleichzeitig menschlichen Eindruck gemacht. Die Klinik selbst ist modern, sauber und sehr gut ausgestattet. Während der Behandlung wurde äußerst sorgfältig und professionell gearbeitet, und ich hatte zu jedem Zeitpunkt das Gefühl, in guten Händen zu sein. Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte Team für die tolle Betreuung und den freundlichen Umgang! Ich kann die Klinik absolut weiterempfehlen und bin mit meiner bisherigen Erfahrung sehr zufrieden. Wer Wert auf Professionalität, Qualität und einen hervorragenden Service legt, ist hier meiner Meinung nach bestens aufgehoben.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanBisher war es nur ein Beratungsgespräch aber es war sehr gut.
Weight Doctors Group · Original in GermanIch fand, dass der Arzt gut und verständlich erklärt hat. Ich habe diese Woche noch einen Termin in einer anderen Klinik, da ich mich gründlich informieren möchte; auch der Preis wird dabei eine Rolle spielen – darüber bin ich ganz offen.
QUOLE Medisch Centrum · Original in GermanHervorragende Behandlung. Von der ersten Beratung bis zur Nachsorge hat mir Dr. Koch stets ein sehr gutes Gefühl vermittelt. Ich litt jahrelang unter einer echten Gynäkomastie, nach der OP kann sich das Ergebnis sehen lassen, mein Selbstbewusstsein ist endlich zurückgekehrt. Ich kann die Alster Klinik jedem empfehlen, der schon lange mit dem Gedanken spielt sich operieren zu lassen.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanDr. Schubert gab mir das Gefühl, in genau der richtigen Praxis zu sein für mein Anliegen. Ich habe mich beim Beratungsgespräch sehr wohl gefühlt und verstanden gefühlt.
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanÜber die ehrliche Einschätzung
Alster-Klinik Hamburg · Original in GermanIch habe mich sehr wohl geführt, das Gespräch war sehr gut, die Ärztin hat mir sehr ausführlich alles erklärt und bin mit einem sehr guten Gefühl nach Hause gegangen.
Westfalenklinik Fachklinik für Plastische und Ästhetische Chirurgie · Original in GermanIch bin eine sehr ängstliche Person. Bei Herrn Dr. Neis habe ich mich sofort wohlgefühlt. Behandlungsgespräche, Umgang, Freundlichkeit – es passt alles. Ich kann ihn ohne Bedenken und Einschränkung nur weiter empfehlen. Dankeschön Herr Dr. Neis für die tolle Arbeit.
CGCE Group · Original in GermanDr. Klarner ist sehr nett, hat mich sehr gut beraten und aufgeklärt. Ich hab mich gut aufgehoben gefühlt, vielen Dank!
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