What are the treatments for gallstones?
No treatment is needed in most cases
It is often best to leave gallstaones alone if they cause little or no symptoms.
Surgery
An operation to remove the gallbladder is the usual treatment if you have symptoms caused by gallstones. Different techniques to remove the gallbladder may be recommended depending on its site, size, and other factors.
Medication
Taking a medicine is sometimes an option, but usually only for small stones. The aim is to 'dissolve' the stones. This may take years of treatment, and is not always successful. It may be tried in people where surgery is not suitable.
After a gallbladder is removed
You do not need a gallbladder to digest food. Bile still flows from the liver to the gut once the gallbladder is removed. However, there is no longer any storage area for bile between meals. The flow of bile is therefore constant, without the surges of bile that occur from a gallbladder when you eat a meal.
You can usually eat a normal diet without any problems after your gallbladder is removed. However, up to half of people who have had their gallbladder removed have some indigestion or bloating from time to time. This may be more noticeable after eating a fatty meal. Some people notice an increase in the frequency of passing stools (motions or faeces) after their gallbladder is removed. This is like mild diarrhoea. It can be treated by anti-diarrhoeal medication if it becomes troublesome.
