Conditions · Gallbladder

Gallstones and gallbladder surgery

Gallstones are common, and the operation to treat them is one of the most frequently performed in the country. Here's what they are, when they need treating, and exactly what to expect if you and Tom decide on surgery.

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Keyhole

Small cuts, not open surgery

~1 hr

Typical time in theatre

Day stay

Home the same day for most

1–2 wks

Back to light activity

/ 01What they are

What are gallstones?

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder, usually from bile cholesterol or pigment. Many people never know they have them. Problems start when a stone blocks bile flow and triggers sudden, gripping upper abdominal pain (biliary colic or a gallbladder attack).

Your gallbladder is a small pouch that sits under your liver and stores bile, the fluid that helps you digest fatty food. Plenty of people have gallstones and never know it, but when a stone blocks the flow of bile, it can cause sudden, gripping pain.

/ 02Symptoms to notice

What gallstones symptoms should you notice?

Typical signs include upper-right or central tummy pain after fatty meals, pain to the back or shoulder blade, nausea, and recurrent indigestion. Jaundice or pale stools need urgent review.

Pain in the upper-right or middle of your tummy, often after fatty meals
Pain that spreads to your back or right shoulder blade
Feeling sick or vomiting during an attack
Bloating, indigestion, or burping that keeps coming back
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or pale stools (see someone urgently)

/ 03When surgery helps

Do gallstones always need surgery?

Not always. Silent stones can often be watched. Once pain or inflammation starts, attacks tend to return, and removing the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) is the lasting fix when it is the right choice for you.

If your gallstones aren’t causing symptoms, it’s often fine to simply keep an eye on them. Tom will only recommend surgery if it is genuinely appropriate for your situation.

/ 04The operation

What happens on the day of keyhole gallbladder removal?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder through four small cuts. Most operations take about an hour. Many people go home the same day; some stay one night.

Getting you ready

You'll usually come in on the morning of surgery. You'll meet the anaesthetist, and Tom will see you before you go through.

The keyhole operation

Through four small cuts, Tom gently frees the gallbladder and removes it. Most operations take around an hour.

Waking up

You'll rest in recovery while the anaesthetic wears off. Many people go home the same day; some stay one night.

The first week

Expect some tenderness and tiredness. Simple pain relief is usually all that's needed, and the small cuts heal quickly.

/ 05Recovery & risks

What is recovery like after gallbladder surgery?

Most people eat normally soon after, walk the same day, and return to light activity within one to two weeks. Tom explains the small risks of any operation before you decide, and the rooms remain available if something does not feel right.

As with any operation there are small risks, and Tom will talk you through them honestly before you decide. Serious complications are uncommon.

/ 06Common questions

Yes, completely. The gallbladder just stores bile. Once it's removed, bile flows straight from your liver into your gut, and most people notice no difference in day-to-day life.

Most people go back to eating normally within a few weeks. A small number find very fatty meals sit less comfortably at first, which usually settles with time.

The keyhole cuts are small, usually under a centimetre, and fade to fine lines over the months that follow.

Most people drive again within a week and return to a desk job in one to two weeks. Heavier work takes a little longer. Tom will give you advice for your situation.