The gall bladder stores bile that helps digest fat. Hardened deposits called gallstones can form inside it and may block the bile ducts, causing pain, inflammation or infection.
Common symptoms of gallstones include:
Sudden pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes spreading to the back or shoulder.
Nausea and vomiting after fatty meals.
Bloating and indigestion.
Fever or yellowing of the skin in complicated cases.
Women, people over 40 and those with rapid weight loss or a family history are at higher risk of gallstones.
The standard treatment is removal of the gall bladder using keyhole surgery.
Three or four small cuts are made.
The gall bladder is separated and taken out, and the wounds are closed.
The operation generally takes about an hour. The body continues to digest food normally without the gall bladder.
Most patients are discharged within 24 to 48 hours. A light diet is followed for the first few days, and normal activity returns within one to two weeks. Some people notice looser stools for a short period.
Before surgery, an ultrasound and blood tests confirm the diagnosis. If stones have moved into the bile duct, an additional procedure may be needed. Curis Global arranges these evaluations, your admission and your stay, so that everything is ready on arrival.
Not always. Your doctor will advise based on size of stones and your risk factors.
Yes. A balanced diet is recommended, and very fatty meals may be avoided initially.