When to see a doctor
- Pain in the upper right or middle part of the stomach area
- Pain that comes after a meal or at night, lasts from half an hour to a few hours, then settles
- Pain that spreads to the back or right shoulder
- Feeling like vomiting, or vomiting, along with the pain
- Repeated attacks of similar pain over weeks or months
Get urgent help if
- Severe stomach pain that lasts more than a few hours, or spreads to the back
- Vomiting that does not stop, or being unable to keep fluids down
- Fever or shivering with stomach pain, or feeling very unwell, drowsy or confused (especially in older people)
- Yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), dark urine, or pale, clay-coloured stools
- Upper stomach or chest pain with sweating, breathlessness, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw. This may be a heart attack: call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department straight away.
Call the hospital on +91 251 260 8502 (open 24 hours) or go to the nearest emergency department. For an ambulance, call 108. Do not wait for an OPD appointment.
How care usually works
- Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and gently examine your stomach area.
- An ultrasound scan (a scan that uses sound waves to see inside the body) and blood tests may be advised.
- If the stones cause no trouble, your doctor may suggest keeping watch. Medicines may ease a pain attack, but they do not usually remove stones. A balanced diet with less oily food may help some people.
- For repeated pain or complications, your doctor may discuss removing the gallbladder. This is often done by laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery through small cuts using a thin camera). Sometimes a larger cut is needed.
- After surgery, your doctor will guide you on wound care, food and returning to work. Recovery time differs from person to person. Contact the hospital straight away if you get fever, yellow eyes, worsening stomach pain or swelling, or repeated vomiting.
Typical hospital stay
In general, after planned keyhole gallbladder surgery, many people go home within one to two days. A longer stay may be needed after emergency treatment, a larger cut, or an extra procedure for a bile duct stone. Your doctor will tell you what to expect.
Doctors for this treatment
Frequently asked questions
When should I see a doctor about gallstones?
See a doctor if you have repeated pain in the upper right or middle of the stomach area, especially after meals. Gallstones found by chance on a scan should also be discussed, though they may not need treatment. Go to a hospital emergency department straight away if you have yellow eyes with fever, or severe pain that does not settle.
Which tests will I need?
Gallstones are usually found with an ultrasound scan of the stomach area. You may be asked not to eat for about six hours before the scan. This helps the gallbladder show clearly. Blood tests may check the liver and pancreas (a gland behind the stomach), and look for infection. Sometimes an MRI scan (a detailed scan using magnets) may be advised. This checks the bile ducts (tubes that carry bile to the gut).
Will I need an operation?
Surgery to remove the gallbladder may be discussed if gallstones cause repeated pain or complications. Complications include infection, jaundice or pancreatitis (painful swelling of the pancreas). If a stone is stuck in a bile duct, another procedure may be needed as well. Your doctor will explain the benefits, risks and other options.
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Many people eat and live normally after their gallbladder is removed. The liver still makes bile, which then flows straight into the gut. Some people notice loose motions or bloating for a while. Tell your doctor if any problem continues.
A note about this page
This page is general information, not medical advice. Please see a doctor about your own symptoms.