Gallstones: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Laparoscopic Removal

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder — a small, pear-shaped organ beneath the liver. They range in size from tiny grains to golf-ball-sized stones. While many people have gallstones without symptoms, when a stone blocks the cystic duct, it triggers intense upper abdominal pain known as biliary colic — and that is when treatment becomes necessary.

Who Is at Risk?

• Women — oestrogen increases cholesterol in bile and slows gallbladder emptying
• People over 40 — risk increases with age
• Obesity and rapid weight loss — both increase cholesterol concentration in bile
• High-fat, low-fibre diet — particularly common in urban Indian diets
• Family history — genetic factors play a significant role
• Diabetes — associated with higher triglyceride levels
• Certain medications — oral contraceptives and cholesterol-lowering drugs

Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

The classic symptom is biliary colic — a sudden, steady pain in the upper right abdomen or centre of the abdomen, just below the breastbone. Pain often radiates to the right shoulder or back and typically occurs after a fatty meal. Associated symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, and indigestion. If a stone blocks the common bile duct, jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes) and dark urine may develop — this requires urgent intervention.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: The Gold Standard

The definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones is cholecystectomy — surgical removal of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy is the preferred approach worldwide. The surgeon makes 3-4 small incisions, inserts a camera and instruments, and removes the gallbladder. Since the gallbladder is not essential for digestion — the liver continues producing bile — patients live normally without it. Most procedures are completed in under an hour, and patients typically go home the same day or within 24 hours. Recovery is rapid, with most returning to normal activities within a week.

Life Without a Gallbladder

A common concern patients have is whether they can digest food normally after gallbladder removal. The answer is yes — the liver continues to produce bile, which drips continuously into the small intestine rather than being stored and released in bursts. Most people adapt quickly, though some may experience temporary changes in bowel habits that resolve within weeks. At SurgeonForU, we provide complete dietary guidance as part of your post-operative care.