DAMSOYU HOSPITAL · BEFORE YOUR VISIT
Gallbladder and gallstone surgery at Damsoyu Hospital in Seoul
Understand gallstones, gallbladder removal and bile duct treatment before asking about surgical costs, your hospital stay and recovery.
Start with your situation
Gallstones are hardened deposits formed from bile; cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. Damsoyu assesses these conditions with blood tests and ultrasound, adding CT when needed. For gallbladder disease requiring surgery, the hospital performs single-incision laparoscopic removal through the navel.
Are gallstones and cholecystitis the same condition?
Gallstones are deposits inside the gallbladder, while cholecystitis is inflammation. Stones may block the gallbladder outlet or irritate its lining, causing pain and inflammation. Ultrasound assesses the stones and gallbladder; blood tests check inflammation and liver function, and CT may be used to assess complications or other conditions.
Official clinical information (Korean) 1 ↗ Official clinical information (Korean) 2 ↗| Term or topic | What it means | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Gallstones | Hardened deposits formed from bile. Their location matters when planning treatment. | Are the stones in the gallbladder or a bile duct? |
| Cholecystectomy | Surgery to remove the gallbladder. | Why is removal proposed, and which surgical approach is planned? |
| Bile duct treatment | Stones in a bile duct may require a separate procedure. | Is another procedure needed, and where would it be performed? |
What does single-incision gallbladder surgery involve?
A camera and surgical instruments are introduced through one incision at the navel to remove the gallbladder. Damsoyu uses this approach for gallbladder care. The study presented on its website also reports cases requiring extra ports, so the approach may change with inflammation and findings during surgery.
Official clinical information (Korean) 1 ↗ Official clinical information (Korean) 2 ↗What does the estimate include?
The official fee schedule lists individual items such as rooms, tests, materials and certificates. A personal surgical estimate depends on the treatment plan and insurance eligibility.
Fees not covered by Korean health insurance (Korean) ↗| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Assessment and imaging | Can existing scans be used, and are further tests needed? |
| Surgery and anesthesia | What is the proposed procedure and which fees are included? |
| Additional procedures | Are bile duct assessment or treatment items separate? |
| Stay and follow-up | Which room, medicine and review arrangements are included? |
Use this checklist to ask what applies to your care. Items are not necessarily required or included in an estimate.
Check payment and insurance separately
Ask the hospital how your care will be billed. Ask your insurer whether the proposed treatment abroad is covered, whether prior approval is needed and which documents to keep. Check any Korean health insurance eligibility separately if it is relevant to you.
Official clinical information (Korean) ↗Will I stay overnight, and what can I eat afterward?
The gallbladder FAQ describes discharge the following day for most patients. It advises avoiding high-calorie, high-fat meals and eating regular, moderate portions. Your discharge and diet plan depend on the inflammation and your recovery.
Official clinical information (Korean) ↗Preparing for your consultation
- The diagnosis and proposed procedure from your previous consultation.
- When pain occurred and any recent hospital care.
- Available imaging, test reports and medicines.
- Support during the stay and plans for meals, work and travel afterward.
Questions to bring to your appointment
- Is gallbladder removal the planned treatment, and is bile duct treatment also needed?
- How would additional procedures or the hospital stay affect the estimate?
- How should I plan meals, work, follow-up and travel?
Clinical team and related research
The gallbladder page introduces its surgical and anesthesiology teams.
Meet the clinical team (Korean) ↗Single-incision laparoscopic surgery for acute cholecystitis
This retrospective study compares surgical records for acute and chronic cholecystitis. It includes additional port use and length of stay, showing why an individual surgical and discharge plan matters.
Read the related research or column ↗Based on Damsoyu Hospital’s clinical pages and FAQs. Linked originals are in Korean unless indicated otherwise. Official website sources checked:
DAMSOYU HOSPITAL
Have questions about your own care?
Tell us which procedure you are considering, the reports you have and your preferred visit dates. Contact Damsoyu Hospital for an individual cost estimate.
The booking page is in Korean. Please confirm your preferred consultation language with the hospital.
Information to help you prepare for a consultation. Your care plan is determined after a medical assessment.
Clinical information from Damsoyu (Korean) ↗