Surgery for Gallstones: How to Find the Right Surgeon

No one wants to suffer from chronic gallbladder pain, and your healthcare provider may recommend that it be removed.

If you’re going to have surgery for gallstones, how do you select the best surgeon?

What Is Surgery for Gallstones?

The surgery to remove a gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy. When beginning your search, you’ll want to look for the following characteristics in your surgeon:

board certified in general surgery
experience with gallbladder removal
accepts your insurance
has access to a hospital with good outcomes for gallbladder surgery

Tip #1 – Ask Friends

Once you’ve narrowed down which surgeons to consider, reach out to friends and family members to find out if they have an experience with these surgeons.

Also consider asking your healthcare providers and co-workers to weigh in. Often, people you know can have some particular insights that aren’t found online.

Tip #2 – Learn Your Surgeon’s Credentials

Any time that you have surgery, you should select a surgeon that is board certified in that category of surgery. For plastic surgery, look for a surgeon board certified in plastic surgery.

Surgeons skilled at performing gallbladder removal are board certified in general surgery. You’ll also want to learn how often the surgeon performs this surgery.

Thirdly, learning whether or not your surgeon is in good standing and has no history of disciplinary actions against him.

Tip #3 – Evaluate the Hospital

When considering a surgeon, you’ll want to know at which hospitals he or she has privileges. This will allow you to research the gastrointestinal care available at those facilities.

Gastrointestinal surgery can be complicated, and you’ll want to make sure that you can be fully supported at the facility where your potential surgeon performs surgery.

Tip #4 – Schedule an Interview

Having a brief conversation with prospective surgeons is important. Make a list of questions to ask each surgeon.

Importantly, these meetings will help you evaluate how comfortable you feel with each surgeon personally. Trusting your doctor and feeling comfortable talking about how you feel are vital parts of the patient-surgeon relationship.

Tip #5 – Check Your Coverage

Learning your out-of-pocket cost can help prevent a costly surprise after your surgery. The surgeon you select should participate in your plan in order to lessen the cost for you.

While cost isn’t the most important factor in choosing a provider for surgery for gallstones, it should be a consideration.