What is a gallbladderectomy?

When a surgeon removes your tonsils, it's a tonsillectomy.
When a surgeon removes your appendix, it's an appendectomy.
When a surgeon removes your gallbladder, it's a gallbladderectomy.

Right?

Wrong! This one's labeled a little more esoterically. The removal of one's gallbladder is a cholecystectomy.

Say what? Why not a gallbladderectomy?

Here's my best guess... Technically-speaking, a gallbladder is known as a cholecyst. Thus, the name for its removal: cholecystectomy.

A cholecystectomy can be performed by 2 methods: Open Surgery, or Laparoscopic Surgery.

An Open cholecystectomy is the more traditional but also the more invasive, requiring a 4- to 7-inch incision to extract the gallbladder. Patients usually stay in the hospital overnight and require several more weeks resting at home for complete recovery.

A Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a more modern approach and is used for most gallbladder removals today. For technical reasons or safety, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be converted to an open cholecystectomy.

In a Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 4 or 5 small incisions are made in the abdominal cavity area. Then a camera and surgical tools are used to perform the procedure.

It is estimated that 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed in the U.S. each year. In 2008, I will spend the remainder of the year praying for the 250,000 that are left to be performed.

NOTE
I had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed on May 22, 2008, at St. John's Hospital in Lebanon, Missouri. The surgeon was Dr. Karen Tabb.

I was impressed with Dr. Tabb when, during my first meeting with her (on May 15) to schedule the procedure, she asked me to pray with her. I bowed my head while she lead our prayer asking for God's help during the procedure. In my 46 years of life, going to various medical professionals for any number of issues, this was a first; and one that I won't likely forget.

Thanks to all those who held me in their prayers. Your love and affection are tremendously appreciated.