Professor Dr. S.M.G. Kibria
Keyhole surgery · Same-day discharge · 35,000+ procedures
A measured, modern explanation of the most common abdominal operation performed worldwide — and why it changes lives.
The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ that stores bile beneath the liver. Removing it is the only definitive cure for symptomatic gallstones — and because the liver continues to produce bile, digestion stays normal. The vast majority of patients live without any dietary restrictions afterwards.
Most patients are diagnosed after experiencing recurring abdominal pain, with gallstones confirmed on ultrasound. Surgery is recommended when one or more of the following are present.
Prof. Kibria selects the most appropriate technique for each patient based on disease severity, anatomy, and previous abdominal surgery.
The most common approach: 3–4 small (5–12mm) keyhole incisions through which a high-definition camera and instruments are passed. Operating time 30–60 minutes. Same-day discharge in the majority of cases. Minimal scarring.
Performed through one small incision hidden inside the umbilicus. Cosmetically near-invisible result. Suitable for uncomplicated gallstones in selected patients with appropriate anatomy.
For patients with stones in the common bile duct (CBD) in addition to the gallbladder. The duct is explored and cleared during the same operation — often avoiding a separate ERCP.
Performed through a single small incision below the right rib cage. Reserved for severe inflammation, dense adhesions, or when laparoscopic completion is not safe — about 2–5% of cases overall.
Most patients are surprised by how quickly they bounce back after keyhole gallbladder surgery. Here's the typical week-by-week timeline.
30–60 minute laparoscopic procedure under general anaesthesia. Light liquids and a soft meal allowed 4–6 hours after surgery. Walking is encouraged the same evening. Most patients go home that night.
Light meals, regular pain relief, short walks around the house. Showering permitted after 24 hours. Most patients are off strong painkillers by day two.
Wound review with Prof. Kibria — dressings removed, healing confirmed, histopathology result reviewed. Sedentary office work and driving usually resumed.
Walking, gentle stretching, near-normal diet. Fatty meals re-introduced gradually. No heavy lifting or core exercises yet.
Heavy lifting, gym training, contact sports, long-haul travel — all resumed. Scars continue to fade over the following 6 months.
Answers to the most common questions from patients considering gallbladder surgery in Bangladesh. Have another question? Send us a message.
Prof. Dr. S.M.G. Kibria is widely regarded as one of the most qualified gallbladder surgeons in Bangladesh. He holds four FRCS fellowships (England, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and General), is registered with the General Medical Council (UK), trained and practised in the UK for 18 years, and has personally performed over 35,000 surgeries.
His laparoscopic gallbladder surgery success rate exceeds 99% with same-day discharge in most uncomplicated cases.
Yes — laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold-standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones worldwide. In experienced hands the procedure is extremely safe, with major complication rates under 1% and a mortality rate well under 0.1%.
Recognised risks include bleeding, infection, bile duct injury, and conversion to open surgery — all minimised by an experienced operator and a careful pre-operative work-up.
Most patients are discharged the same day or the morning after surgery. Office work can usually be resumed within 7–10 days, light physical activity by week 2, and full unrestricted activity — including heavy lifting and contact sports — at around 4 to 6 weeks.
Driving may be resumed once you are off all opioid pain medication and can perform an emergency stop without pain.
If you have symptomatic gallstones, surgery is the only definitive treatment — medical dissolution therapy has poor success rates and a very high recurrence.
However, asymptomatic gallstones discovered incidentally on ultrasound generally do not require surgery in average-risk adults. The decision is individualised based on stone size, number, your overall health, and risk factors for gallbladder cancer.
Most patients return to a normal diet within 1–2 weeks. For the first two weeks we recommend a low-fat diet, small frequent meals, and avoiding fried or very greasy food.
After that, the liver compensates for the missing gallbladder and the vast majority of patients eat completely normally for the rest of their lives.
Common signs include recurrent right-upper abdominal pain (especially after fatty meals), pain radiating to the right shoulder or back, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and fatty-food intolerance.
If gallstones are confirmed on ultrasound and you have any of these symptoms, surgery is usually recommended. Urgent surgery is required for acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, or gallbladder gangrene.
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery is performed through 3–4 small incisions of 5–12mm with a camera and slender instruments. Open surgery uses a single 10–15cm incision below the right rib cage.
Laparoscopic offers dramatically less pain, faster recovery (days vs. weeks), better cosmetic result, and fewer wound complications. Open surgery is reserved for cases where laparoscopic surgery cannot be safely completed.
Prof. Kibria consults at two chambers in Gulshan, Dhaka:
Lake View Clinic — House-05, Road 79, Gulshan-2, Dhaka 1212.
SMG Kibria Foundation — Ta-97, 5th Floor, Middle Badda, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212.
Surgeries are performed at leading partner hospitals in Dhaka with full laparoscopic theatre facilities. To book a consultation, call +880 1711-402445 or request an appointment online.
Whether you need a surgical consultation, a second opinion, or emergency care — Professor Dr. SMG Kibria and his team are here for you.