Gallbladder stones
Stones in the gallbladder are common. Many cause no trouble. When they cause pain or infection, the usual treatment is to remove the gallbladder by keyhole surgery, called laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
- Gallbladder with stones
- Liver
- Small keyhole cuts
Common signs
When to see a surgeon
- Pain in the upper right or upper middle part of the abdomen, often after a heavy or oily meal
- Pain that spreads to the right shoulder or the back
- Nausea, vomiting or a feeling of fullness
- Stones found on an ultrasound done for another reason
Go to an emergency department now if the pain does not settle, or you have fever, shivering or yellow eyes.
Treatment
What can be done
Stones that cause symptoms or complications are usually treated by removing the gallbladder. Medicines do not dissolve most gallbladder stones, and removing only the stones lets them form again.
In keyhole surgery the gallbladder is taken out through three or four small cuts, under general anaesthesia. Sometimes an open operation is safer, for example when the gallbladder is badly inflamed. Stones that have slipped into the bile duct may need an endoscopy (ERCP) as well.
Stones found by chance, with no symptoms, are often only watched. This is decided case by case.
From the first test to the last visit
Recovery ruler
Before
Ultrasound, blood tests and an anaesthesia check; no food for about six hours
Surgery day
About an hour under general anaesthesia
Day 1
Most patients go home the same day or the next
Week 1
Walking, normal meals as tolerated, light work
Weeks 2 to 4
Back to most activities; avoid heavy lifting as advised
Follow-up
Wound check and the gallbladder biopsy report
Every patient is different. Dr. Aslam Baba will explain your own plan before surgery.
Patients often ask
Questions before surgery
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Yes. The liver keeps making bile, which then flows straight into the gut. Most people go back to their usual diet. A few notice loose stools after oily food for some weeks.
Is a diet enough to treat stones?
A light diet can reduce attacks for a while, but it does not remove the stones. If you have had pain once, it is likely to come back.
Why is the removed gallbladder sent for testing?
It is routine. The laboratory checks the gallbladder wall under a microscope, and the report is reviewed at your follow-up visit.
Booking a visit
Send a WhatsApp message with your name and the clinic you prefer.
The clinic team will reply with a time. Bring your old reports, scans and a list of the medicines you take.
Clinic
GastroMed Clinics
Ground Floor, Alam Residency, 10-3-444/4
St Mary's School Road, beside St Ann's Girls High School
Vijaya Nagar Colony, Hyderabad 500057
Monday to Saturday, 2 pm to 10 pm
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Renova Century Hospitals
Road No. 12, Bhola Nagar
Banjara Hills, Hyderabad 500034
Please call for OPD days and timings
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