Not necessarily. Most of the time, after routine appendectomy through a small right lower abdominal incision, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) can still be performed by a skilled laparoscopic surgeon (although such patients should be advised that there may be a higher-than-average likelihood of having to convert a laparoscopic procedure to an "open" procedure).

You might want to seek a second opinion from another surgeon. (I cannot comment, specifically, on your son's case since, obviously, I have never examined him.)

Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

http://doctorwascher.com