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Gallstones — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Prof. Dr. Zahid Mahmood
  • August 1, 2026

Gallstones — Frequently Asked Questions

Answered by Prof. Dr. Zahid Mahmood — General, Laparoscopic & Laser Surgeon, Lahore.

Do all gallstones need to be removed?

No. Silent gallstones that cause no symptoms usually do not need treatment, apart from a few specific situations your surgeon will explain. Once gallstones cause pain or complications, removing the gallbladder is advised.

Why remove the whole gallbladder instead of just the stones?

Because the gallbladder that formed the stones would simply form new ones. Removing only the stones leads to recurrence, so the lasting cure is to remove the gallbladder itself.

Can I live normally without a gallbladder?

Yes. The liver continues to make bile, and the vast majority of people eat and digest normally after surgery.

Is gallbladder surgery painful?

Keyhole surgery causes relatively little pain, well controlled with simple painkillers. Some temporary shoulder-tip discomfort from the gas used is common and settles quickly.

How long is the recovery?

Most people return to desk work within about a week and to full activity within a few weeks after keyhole surgery.

Will I need a special diet forever?

Usually not. Most people return to a normal diet. It helps to reintroduce very fatty foods gradually in the first few weeks.

Can gallstones come back after surgery?

Stones cannot form in a gallbladder that has been removed. Rarely, a stone can form in the bile duct, which is a separate and uncommon situation.

Are gallstones dangerous?

Many are harmless, but they can cause serious complications such as infection of the gallbladder, blockage and jaundice, cholangitis, or pancreatitis — which is why symptomatic gallstones are treated.

Can medicine dissolve my gallstones?

Dissolving medicines exist but are slow, work only for certain stones, and stones usually return. They are rarely used compared with surgery.

What causes the pain to come at night or after fatty food?

Eating, especially fatty food, makes the gallbladder squeeze. If a stone blocks the outlet as it contracts, you feel the pain — which is why attacks often follow meals and can wake you at night.

Is keyhole gallbladder surgery available in Lahore?

Yes. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is well established and is one of the most common operations I perform.

What is ERCP?

ERCP is an endoscopic procedure to remove stones that have escaped into the main bile duct, done without a major operation. It is sometimes needed before or around the time of gallbladder removal.

Is the gas pain in the shoulder after surgery normal?

Yes. It comes from the gas used to inflate the abdomen during keyhole surgery and settles within a day or two. Gentle walking helps.

Can gallstones cause cancer?

Gallbladder cancer is uncommon, but the risk is a little higher with long-standing large stones, a calcified gallbladder, and in some populations. This is one reason gallstones are assessed properly.

When should I go to the hospital urgently?

Immediately if you have severe, persistent upper-abdominal pain with fever, or yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, and pale stools. These signal a complication such as acute cholecystitis, a blocked bile duct, cholangitis, or pancreatitis.

How do I book a consultation?

Call Prof. Dr. Zahid Mahmood on 0300 413 0159, or visit professorzahid.com.

This page is for general awareness and does not replace a personal medical consultation.

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