Gallstones are one of the most common reasons people need digestive surgery, and for most patients, treatment means removing the gallbladder entirely through a straightforward laparoscopic procedure. Dr. Pavan Addala, Surgical Gastroenterologist at Medicover Hospitals, Secunderabad, treats gallstones and gallbladder disease, including more complex cases such as residual stones after a previous cholecystectomy.
Gallstones form when substances in bile, such as cholesterol or bilirubin, harden into stones inside the gallbladder. They can range from tiny, sand-like particles to stones several centimetres across, and a person can have one or many. Many people have gallstones and never know it, since they cause no symptoms unless they block the flow of bile, at which point they can cause significant pain and, in some cases, infection or inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
An attack of gallstone pain that comes with fever or jaundice needs prompt medical attention, since it can indicate the gallbladder is infected or a duct is blocked.
Gallstones are usually diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound, which is quick, painless, and highly effective at spotting them. Blood tests may also be used to check for signs of infection or bile duct blockage if symptoms suggest a complication, and additional imaging (such as an MRCP) is sometimes used if a stone in the bile duct itself is suspected.
Gallstones without symptoms are generally left alone and simply monitored, since the risks of preventive surgery typically outweigh the benefits for silent stones. Medication to dissolve stones exists but is rarely used in practice, since it's slow, often ineffective for larger stones, and stones tend to recur once medication stops.
For symptomatic gallstones, the standard treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, removing the gallbladder through small incisions using a camera and specialized instruments. It's one of the most commonly performed and well-established laparoscopic procedures, generally involving a short hospital stay and a quick return to normal activity. Dr. Addala also manages more complex, less common situations, including symptomatic stones remaining in the cystic duct stump years after a previous cholecystectomy, a case he has specifically documented and published.
Recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is typically quick, often same-day or overnight hospital stay, with a return to normal activity within a week or two for most patients. Some minor dietary adjustment (particularly around very fatty meals) may be needed initially, though most people eat normally within a few weeks.
If you've been told you need your gallbladder removed, especially for atypical, recurring, or unclear symptoms, or if a previous procedure hasn't fully resolved your symptoms, a second opinion is a reasonable and common step.
Book a second-opinion consultation →Not necessarily. Gallstones without symptoms are often simply monitored rather than treated. Surgery is generally recommended once stones start causing pain or other symptoms.
The gallbladder itself can't develop new stones once removed, but in rare cases, stones can remain or form in the bile duct or, even more rarely, in a small remaining portion of the cystic duct. This is uncommon but recognised, and it's treatable if it happens.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most routinely performed laparoscopic procedures, generally with a short hospital stay and quick recovery for straightforward cases. More complex cases may require additional planning.
Yes. Most people adjust without significant lasting effects, though some notice minor digestive changes, particularly with very fatty meals, in the initial period after surgery.
Cost depends on the approach and any complications. Most health insurance plans cover cholecystectomy — confirm specifics with your insurer and the hospital's billing team.
Gallstones form in the gallbladder. Some can migrate into the bile duct, causing a more urgent situation (blocked bile flow, risk of infection or jaundice) that may need a different or additional procedure to clear the duct.
Whether it's your first gallstone attack or a complication after previous gallbladder surgery, it's worth getting a proper evaluation.
