Symptoms and signs
- Pain in the upper right or middle abdomen, often after fatty meals
- Pain that spreads to the back or right shoulder
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bloating and indigestion
- Pain that comes in episodes lasting hours
See a doctor urgently if
- Severe constant pain with fever or shivering needs emergency care
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine or pale stools need urgent review
- Repeated vomiting with severe abdominal pain is an emergency
If you have a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital. Do not wait for an enquiry reply.
Causes and risk factors
- Female sex, pregnancy and hormonal factors
- Rapid weight loss or being overweight
- Family history
- Age over middle years
- Certain diets and medical conditions
How a doctor assesses it
A doctor asks about your pain and examines the abdomen. An ultrasound is the usual test, and blood tests and sometimes other scans may be advised. The surgeon decides whether stones are causing your symptoms and whether surgery is needed.
Who may need it
Surgery is considered when stones cause repeated pain, inflammation or complications. The surgeon decides after examination, ultrasound and blood tests.
Treatment options
No treatment
Stones that cause no symptoms often need no treatment, only awareness of warning signs.
Diet changes and medicines
Smaller, lower-fat meals and medicines for pain may help symptoms, but stones usually return or remain.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
The gallbladder is removed through small cuts using a camera. It is the usual method for symptomatic stones.
Open surgery
Used when keyhole surgery is not suitable or becomes unsafe, and the surgeon chooses it for safety.
What the procedure involves
The operation is done under general anaesthesia. The surgeon makes a few small cuts, uses a camera to see the gallbladder, and removes it. People live normally without a gallbladder.
Many go home within a day or two. You get diet and activity advice before you leave.
Recovery
- Mild pain at the cuts and shoulder discomfort from the gas used, which settles
- Light walking is encouraged early
- A light diet at first, then slowly back to normal
- Avoid heavy lifting for the period advised
- Report fever, yellow skin or worsening pain
Everyone heals differently. Follow your own surgeon's instructions.
Risks
- Bleeding or infection
- Injury to the bile duct or other organs, which is uncommon but serious
- Bile leak
- Stones left in the bile duct
- Looser stools for some people
- Conversion to open surgery
- Risks linked to anaesthesia
Your surgeon will explain which risks matter most for you. No result can be guaranteed.
Cost and payment
The cost of gallstones treatment depends on your case and cannot be fixed without a medical assessment. These are the main things that change it:
- Whether surgery is planned or urgent
- Tests such as ultrasound and blood tests
- Length of stay
- The hospital or day-care centre and the room type
- The surgeon's and anaesthetist's fees
- Tests and scans before surgery
- Medicines, dressings and follow-up visits
- Whether you pay in cash, use EMI or claim insurance
Our team explains your options for cash, EMI and insurance, helps you compare packages and handles insurance paperwork. Try the EMI calculator to plan your payments. Insurance cover depends on your policy and insurer, and approval cannot be promised.
Questions to ask your surgeon
- Are my symptoms really from gallstones?
- Is keyhole surgery suitable for me?
- What are the risks of bile duct injury?
- How should I eat after surgery?
- Who will perform my procedure, and how often have they done it?
- What are the risks for me and how are complications handled?
- What is the full cost, in writing, and what does it include?
Check that any doctor is registered, for example on the National Medical Commission register or with the state medical council.
Our step-by-step support
From your first call to your follow-up visits, our team stays with you:
- Our team connects with you. We call you, listen to your concern and understand the exact problem.
- We find the right hospital and doctor. Based on your treatment, we help you shortlist a suitable doctor and hospital.
- Package, cash, EMI or insurance. We explain the package and help you choose between cash, EMI and insurance.
- Doctor consultation arranged. We book your consultation with the doctor and share what to bring.
- Surgery is planned. If surgery is advised, we help plan the date and the steps before it.
- Cab booked for you. We arrange a cab for your hospital visit.
- Papers checked before treatment. We check your documents and reports so nothing is missed on the day.
- Insurance filing handled. We help fill in and follow up your insurance paperwork.
- Care from admission to discharge. We stay in touch through admission, surgery and discharge.
- Free follow-ups and diet plans. After surgery, you get free follow-up consultations and diet plans.
Frequently asked questions
Do all gallstones need surgery?
No. Stones without symptoms often need no treatment. Symptomatic stones are usually treated with surgery.
Can I live without a gallbladder?
Yes. The liver still makes bile, which flows to the intestine. Some people notice looser stools.
Are medicines able to dissolve stones?
In a few selected cases, but they work slowly and stones may return. A doctor can advise.
How soon can I return to work?
It depends on the person and the type of surgery. Your surgeon will guide you.
Can you help with insurance and EMI?
Yes. Our team explains cash, EMI and insurance options and helps with the paperwork. Insurance cover depends on your policy and insurer, and approval cannot be promised.
How do I book a free consultation?
Call or WhatsApp +91 96255 29133, or fill in the form on this page. Our team will contact you the way you choose.
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Read the guidePlease note: This page is general information, not medical advice. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed. A qualified doctor must assess you before any treatment.