Gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy) is surgery to remove the gall bladder, most often done by laparoscopy through small incisions. It is advised mainly for gallstones that cause pain or complications. Most people recover within one to two weeks and live normally without a gall bladder.
What does the gall bladder do?
The gall bladder is a small pouch under the liver. It stores and concentrates bile, a digestive fluid made by the liver, and releases it into the small intestine to help digest fats. You can digest food without it because bile then flows directly from the liver to the intestine.
When is gall bladder removal needed?
- Gallstones causing repeated pain (biliary colic)
- Inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis)
- Gallstones that move into the bile duct (choledocholithiasis)
- Pancreatitis caused by gallstones
- Large or growing gall bladder polyps
Gallstones that cause no symptoms are often watched rather than operated on.
Symptoms to watch for
Pain in the upper right or central abdomen, often after fatty meals, sometimes spreading to the back or right shoulder, with nausea, vomiting or bloating.
See a doctor urgently for severe pain lasting several hours, fever with chills, yellowing of the eyes or skin, or dark urine with pale stools.
How is it diagnosed?
An abdominal ultrasound is the main test. Liver function tests, and sometimes MRCP or CT, are added if bile duct stones or pancreatitis are suspected.
How is laparoscopic gall bladder removal done?
- The surgery is done under general anaesthesia.
- Three or four small cuts are made in the abdomen and a camera and fine instruments are passed through them.
- The surgeon identifies and secures the duct and artery supplying the gall bladder, then separates the gall bladder from the liver.
- The gall bladder is removed through one of the incisions.
Surgery typically takes about one hour. Rarely, the surgeon converts to open surgery for safety, for example with severe inflammation or unclear anatomy.
Hospital stay and recovery
Many patients go home within one to two days. Light walking is encouraged from day one. Desk work can often resume within about a week, and heavy lifting is usually avoided for a few weeks.
Diet after gall bladder removal
Start with light, low-fat meals and return to your normal diet gradually. Some people have looser stools for a few weeks, which usually settles. Small, regular meals are easier to tolerate early on.
Risks and complications
As with any surgery: bleeding, wound infection, bile leak, injury to the bile duct (uncommon), a stone left in the duct, hernia at an incision site, and risks related to anaesthesia. The surgeon will explain the risks specific to your case.
Laparoscopic vs open surgery
- Laparoscopy usually means smaller scars, less pain and a shorter stay.
- Open surgery is reserved for cases where the laparoscopic approach is not safe.
FAQs
Can I live a normal life without a gall bladder?
Yes. Digestion continues because bile flows directly from the liver to the intestine.
How long does gall bladder removal surgery take?
Usually around an hour for straightforward laparoscopic cases.
Is gall bladder surgery painful?
There is some pain in the first few days, managed with medicines. Laparoscopic surgery generally causes less pain than open surgery.
How long is the hospital stay?
Often one to two days after laparoscopic surgery.
When can I return to work?
Many people return to desk work within a week or so, depending on recovery and job type.
What foods should I avoid after surgery?
Very oily and heavy meals in the first few weeks. Reintroduce foods gradually.
Do gallstones always need surgery?
No. Stones that cause no symptoms are often just monitored. Surgery is advised when they cause pain or complications.
About the Author
FRCS (Edinburgh, UK), DNB, MS, MBBS
Senior Consultant – GI & Colorectal Surgeon, Mumbai
Dr Chintamani Godbole is a GI and colorectal surgeon in Mumbai, India with training in laparoscopic and robotic colorectal surgery.
Attachments:
Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre
“Medically reviewed by Dr Chintamani Godbole | Last reviewed: [Nov’26]”.