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Dr. Gillian Lynapp Fell, MD, PhD is a pediatric general surgeon in Walnut Creek, CA specializing in pediatric general surgery. She graduated from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Gillian Lynapp Fell, MD, PhD is affiliated with Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Brown and Toland Physicians, Sutter Health, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, John Muir Health and Stanford Health Care.
John Muir Health
Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the upper abdomen, underneath the liver. Its purpose is to store bile, which is used to digest fat. Occasionally, the gallbladder can develop mineral stones, called gallstones. If they are large enough, gallstones can block the ducts in the gallbladder and cause swelling and infection. Gallstones can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication, but sometimes this is not enough. In these cases, it is best to remove the gallbladder before it can cause more serious problems. The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.
Today, most gallbladder surgeries are done laparoscopically. Four tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, and small tools are inserted through these tiny incisions to perform the surgery. Because the incisions are much smaller, recovery time is much faster with this type of surgery. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital the same day. Sometimes, open surgery is used to remove a gallbladder. In this type of surgery, a cut about six inches long is made in the upper right abdomen. After the gallbladder is removed, it is sutured or stapled closed. With open surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover before they are discharged.
Gallbladder removal, like any surgery, carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, or the development of blood clots. Doctors will tell patients how to minimize their risk for complications. After surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for several days. They should not soak in a bath until their sutures or staples have been removed. Patients should wash hands before touching the area around the incision. It will take a couple of days until patients feel like themselves again and a few weeks until their scar has healed and faded.
Dr. Gillian Lynapp Fell, MD, PhD graduated from Harvard Medical School. She completed residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery American Board of Surgery, General Surgery and has a state license in California.
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Residency: Brigham and Women's Hospital
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery American Board of Surgery, General Surgery
Licensed In: California
Dr. Gillian Lynapp Fell, MD, PhD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Gillian Fell practices pediatric general surgery. Her clinical interests include gastrointestinal cancer, short bowel syndrome, and hernia surgery. Dr. Fell is professionally affiliated with Brown and Toland Physicians, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, and John Muir Health. After attending Harvard Medical School, she completed her residency training at Brigham and Women's Hospital. According to John Muir Health, she is currently accepting new patients at her office in Walnut Creek, CA.
