Patient guide
Gallstones are common, and keyhole gallbladder surgery is now the standard way to treat stones that are causing symptoms. I'll talk you through what applies to your situation.
This page is general information from Dr. Jose John Maliakal, not a diagnosis. Your treatment plan is decided together at consultation.
What people usually notice
- Pain in the upper right or middle of your tummy, often after a fatty or heavy meal
- Bloating, indigestion, or a feeling of fullness
- Nausea or vomiting along with the abdominal pain
- Pain that spreads to your back or the tip of your right shoulder blade
- Discomfort that comes in waves (colic), lasting minutes to a few hours
- A new or worsening intolerance to fatty foods
When I would want you seen sooner
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice), especially with fever and pain, a possible sign the duct is blocked or infected
- High fever with chills alongside abdominal pain
- Severe, unrelenting abdominal pain that just doesn't settle
- Dark urine and pale, clay-coloured stools together with pain
With any of these, go to the nearest emergency department. Don’t wait for an OPD slot.
Your options
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
often day careKeyhole gallbladder removal
I remove the gallbladder through a few small incisions using a camera and fine instruments. This is the standard approach for gallstones causing symptoms in most people.
ERCP for a bile duct stone
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Sometimes a stone slips out of the gallbladder into the bile duct. When that happens, the duct is usually cleared with ERCP, an endoscopic procedure passed down through a scope, with no cut, before or alongside removing the gallbladder, depending on your case.
After the procedure
Everyone is a little different, and I will confirm your own plan when I see you. Broadly, this is what to expect.
Day of the procedure
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is often day care or a short stay, confirmed at your consultation. If a bile duct stone needs clearing by ERCP first, that is a separate endoscopic step, and I'll explain the timing if that's your case.
First week
Mild soreness around the cuts and a bit of tiredness are common. I encourage light walking, and most people manage basic activities within a few days.
2 to 3 weeks
Most people are back at their desk within one to two weeks, and I'll guide you on easing fattier foods back into your diet.
Longer term
Digestion generally settles down well without a gallbladder. I might suggest some diet adjustments in the first few weeks, easing off over time.
Good to know
I have gallstones but no symptoms. Do I still need surgery?
Not always. Sometimes 'silent' gallstones without symptoms are simply monitored. I usually recommend surgery once stones start causing pain, complications, or keep coming back, and we decide that together after I've assessed your situation.
Can medicine dissolve my gallstones instead of surgery?
There is medication that can dissolve some stones, but it works slowly, does not suit every stone type, and stones often come back once you stop. Surgery remains the more definitive option for stones causing symptoms. I'm happy to discuss whether medical treatment could work for you.
How soon can I eat normally after surgery?
Most people manage a light diet within a day, and gradually ease back to a normal diet over the following days to weeks, as advised.
Will I have to change my diet permanently after my gallbladder is removed?
Many people go back to eating normally after a short adjustment period. Some do notice they're a bit more sensitive to very fatty meals afterward. I or a dietitian can guide you through it if needed.
What if a gallstone has moved into the bile duct?
Sometimes a gallstone slips out of the gallbladder into the bile duct, which can block the flow of bile and cause jaundice or infection. When that happens, the duct is usually cleared with ERCP, an endoscopic procedure done through a scope with no cut, before or alongside removing the gallbladder.
How soon can I get back to work?
It depends on the type of surgery and your job. Many people are back at a desk job within one to two weeks, while more physical jobs may need a bit longer. I'll confirm a timeline that works for you.
Let us have a chat
If you are worried about a symptom, thinking about treatment, or you just want a clearer answer, send me a WhatsApp message and we will help you arrange a time at Thangam Hospital.
Thangam Hospital of PMRC
West Yakkara, Palakkad, Kerala 678004
OPD 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Please confirm the day’s OPD on WhatsApp before travelling.
After you message, we will confirm the day's OPD, help you pick a time, and tell you what to bring: any earlier reports and scans, your current medicines, and your insurance card if you have one. Please avoid sending sensitive medical reports on WhatsApp unless we ask you to.