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Dr. Matthew McKenzie Fleming, MD is a general surgeon in Dallas, TX specializing in general surgery and critical care (intensive care medicine). He graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 2015 and has 11 years of experience. Dr. Matthew McKenzie Fleming, MD is affiliated with Texas Health Resources and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
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. Matthew McKenzie Fleming, MD graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 2015. He completed residency at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He has a state license in Texas.
Medical School: Boston University School of Medicine (2015)
Residency: Yale-New Haven Hospital (2022)
Licensed In: Texas
Dr. Matthew McKenzie Fleming, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Matthew Fleming practices general surgery and critical care (intensive care medicine). He studied medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Fleming's training includes a residency program at Yale-New Haven Hospital. These areas are among his clinical interests: gallbladder removal surgery (cholecystectomy), inguinal hernia repair, and appendectomy. Dr. Fleming's professional affiliations include Texas Health Resources and UT Southwestern Medical Center.
