Gallbladder problems
Your gallbladder is a small pouch under the liver that stores bile, which helps digest fat. Sometimes bile forms stones. When a stone blocks the outlet, the gallbladder squeezes against it, and that hurts.
Signs it's your gallbladder
- Pain in the upper right or middle of the belly, often after eating
- Pain that spreads to the right shoulder or back
- Nausea or vomiting with the pain
- Attacks that come and go over weeks or months
How it's treated
Once gallstones start causing attacks, they tend to keep causing them. The standard fix is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, removing the gallbladder through a few small incisions. Most people go home the same day and are back to normal activities within a week or two.
Other surgery I perform
Common questions
Can I live without my gallbladder?
Yes. Bile still flows from your liver to your intestine. Some people notice looser stools after fatty meals for a while, and it usually settles.
Can gallstones be dissolved with medication?
Rarely, and stones usually come back. For stones that cause attacks, removing the gallbladder is the reliable fix.
How soon can I go back to work?
Many people return to desk work within a week after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.
General information to help you understand your options. It isn't a diagnosis. The right plan for you comes from an in-person visit.