4 Key Factors to Finding the Right Surgeon for a Gallbladder Surgery

If a patient’s gallbladder fails to work the way it should or the bile gets out of balance, hard fragments start to form. These fragments can range from the size of a grain of rice to a golf ball and are called gallstones. Nearly 80% of people who suffer from gallstones require to get a gallbladder removal surgery done. There are two types of gallbladder removal surgeries that a surgeon can conduct- Open surgery and Laparoscopic surgery.

In order to get a gallbladder removal surgery done, a patient must find a highly qualified surgeon to perform the procedure. The patient must keep in mind the following 4 factors while deciding upon a surgeon.

Experience in surgery

While choosing a surgeon, a patient must take time to research the experience and credentials. For gallbladder removal surgery, it is imperative to find a surgeon who conducts it regularly. Research claims that a surgeon’s experience can reduce the occurrence of complications during and post-surgery. A patient must confirm that the surgeon is in good standing with state and federal agencies and that he/ she does not have any history of malpractice claims.

Education of the surgeon

Though a surgeon’s skill cannot be fully evaluated by his educational background alone, it can give one an idea about the training he/she has received. For gallbladder removal surgery, it is crucial to find a doctor who is board-certified in general surgery. The surgeon’s dedication to advanced surgical education and ongoing training can aid one to know that the surgeon is up-to-date with technology and surgical trends.

Examine Hospital performance

Including the capability of the surgeon, it is also important to guarantee that a team of highly skilled and experienced healthcare professionals. The patient must also check the overall quality of gastrointestinal care at the hospital where the surgeon practices. One must make sure that the procedure is performed at a well-respected center that ensures the safety and comfort of their patients. If the hospital does not have good credentials, the patient can ask the surgeon if he or she performs surgery at another facility.

Ask Questions to the Surgeon

Before a gallbladder removal surgery, one must ask the following questions to the surgeon:

• How many gallbladder removal surgeries have you done?
• What are the results of the surgery usually?
• Can you share the surgical outcomes and possible complications of this surgery?
• What is the frequency of complications in gallbladder removal surgery?
• What steps do you take to avoid complications or rectify them if they occur?

Dr. Rengan usually performs more than 200 gallbladder surgeries per year and has one of the highest numbers in South India. He has had exceptional results in gallbladder surgeries honed over years. Dr. Rengan will also be very honest with results and outcomes. You can expect absolute honesty, transparency, and clarity of thought.

Originally published at surgeonrengan.com on April 7, 2021.