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It starts with what feels like ordinary indigestion. You eat a heavy or oily meal, and a few hours later, you develop pain in the upper right side of your abdomen.
Maybe the pain settles after some time, so you ignore it. Then it happens again — and eventually, you learn that you have gallstones.
The next question is usually simple but important: “Do I really need gallbladder surgery?”
The answer depends on your symptoms, the size and location of the stones, complications, and your overall health. Some gallstones never cause problems and may not need treatment, while symptomatic or complicated gallbladder disease may require surgery.
The gallbladder stores bile, a fluid that helps your body digest fats. Problems can occur when stones form inside the gallbladder or block the ducts that carry bile.
A gallbladder surgeon may evaluate and treat:
Gallstones
Recurrent gallbladder attacks
Acute or chronic cholecystitis
Gallbladder inflammation
Blocked bile ducts
Gallstone-related complications
Gallbladder polyps or suspicious growths
Certain gallbladder cancers
Conditions requiring laparoscopic gallbladder removal
For patients considering consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal, the goal should not simply be to remove the gallbladder quickly. The first step is understanding whether the gallbladder is actually responsible for your symptoms and what treatment is appropriate.
Gallstones can sit quietly inside the gallbladder without causing symptoms.
The problem begins when a stone blocks the normal flow of bile.
Gallbladder-related symptoms may include:
Pain in the upper right or upper middle abdomen
Pain after meals, particularly heavy meals
Pain spreading toward the back or right shoulder
Nausea or vomiting
Bloating or discomfort after eating
Repeated episodes of abdominal pain
Fever or chills when infection or inflammation develops
Yellowing of the skin or eyes in certain complications
These symptoms can have many causes, so they should not automatically be blamed on gallstones.
An ultrasound and clinical evaluation can help determine whether the gallbladder is the likely source of the problem.
Not everyone with gallstones needs an operation.
If gallstones are discovered accidentally and have never caused symptoms, a doctor may recommend observation rather than immediate surgery.
However, repeated painful attacks, gallbladder inflammation, infection, complications from stones, or certain other gallbladder conditions may make surgery appropriate.
A scan showing gallstones is not the same thing as proving that the stones are causing every stomach problem you have.
This distinction matters because patients sometimes have gallstones along with acidity, ulcers, fatty liver or other digestive problems.
A proper evaluation helps identify the real cause.
The most common operation for symptomatic gallstones is called a cholecystectomy, which means removing the gallbladder.
When appropriate, it can often be performed laparoscopically. Instead of one large incision, the surgeon uses several small openings and a camera to perform the procedure.
The important point is that removing the gallbladder treats the source of recurrent stone-related problems.
The liver continues to make bile after surgery. The bile simply flows directly into the intestine rather than being stored in the gallbladder.
Your surgeon can explain how this affects eating habits and recovery in your individual case.
Consider a patient who has had three or four episodes of severe abdominal pain over several months.
Each time, the pain improves, so they take medicines and continue with their normal routine. Eventually, an ultrasound shows multiple gallstones.
If the symptoms are consistent with gallstone attacks, repeatedly treating each episode without addressing the underlying problem may not be the best long-term approach.
After evaluation, the patient may be advised to undergo gallbladder removal to reduce the risk of further attacks and complications.
The lesson is simple: repeated episodes deserve a proper treatment discussion, not just repeated temporary relief.
Gallbladder disease is common worldwide. According to the 2024 edition of the Merck Manual, gallstones are estimated to affect around 10–15% of adults in developed countries, although many people with gallstones never develop symptoms.
That is an important distinction: having gallstones does not automatically mean you need surgery.
The decision depends largely on symptoms and complications.
You may hear: “If you have gallstones, get them removed immediately.”
We would not use that as a blanket rule.
Some people have silent gallstones that never cause symptoms. Operating on every person simply because an ultrasound shows stones is not the right approach.
At the same time, the opposite mistake is also common — repeatedly ignoring painful attacks because the pain eventually disappears.
The better approach is somewhere in between:
Don't operate just because stones exist. Don't ignore them when they are repeatedly causing problems.
This depends on your condition.
Some patients may continue without major problems, while others can develop inflammation, infection or blockage of the bile ducts.
A stone can sometimes move from the gallbladder into the common bile duct and cause jaundice or other complications. In certain situations, gallstones can also contribute to pancreatitis.
That is why repeated attacks should be discussed with a qualified doctor rather than managed indefinitely at home.
Severe or persistent abdominal pain accompanied by fever, repeated vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or skin, confusion, fainting, or significant weakness needs prompt medical attention.
Don't wait for a routine appointment if symptoms are severe or rapidly worsening.
Gallbladder problems can sometimes become urgent, particularly when infection or bile duct blockage is involved.
Before agreeing to surgery, you should understand why it is being recommended.
Are my symptoms actually caused by gallstones?
Do I need surgery now?
What could happen if I wait?
Will laparoscopic surgery be suitable for me?
How long should recovery take?
Are there any special dietary changes after surgery?
A good consultation should leave you with answers, not more confusion.
One of the biggest misconceptions about gallbladder problems is that the severity of the pain always tells you how serious the condition is.
It doesn't.
Some patients have significant gallbladder disease with symptoms that come and go. Others may have severe symptoms from an acute complication.
That is why examination and appropriate testing matter more than trying to judge the problem yourself.
No. Gallstones that cause no symptoms may not require treatment. Surgery is more commonly considered when stones cause repeated symptoms or complications.
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is a commonly performed surgical procedure, but every operation has potential risks. Your surgeon should assess your individual health and explain the benefits and risks.
Yes. The liver continues to produce bile after the gallbladder is removed. Your surgeon can explain what to expect during recovery and whether any temporary dietary adjustments are recommended.
If you keep experiencing abdominal pain after meals, have been diagnosed with gallstones, or have already had repeated gallbladder attacks, don't simply keep taking painkillers and waiting for the next episode.
Get the condition properly evaluated and understand whether observation, medical management or surgery is appropriate for you.
If you have been diagnosed with gallstones or are considering gallbladder surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Abhishek Aggarwal to discuss your symptoms, scan reports and treatment options.
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