Gallstones

Gallstones: Putting It All Together

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to gallstones.

• Gallstones are made of hard, solid material that forms in the gallbladder.
• The gallbladder is a hollow organ that stores bile, a thick liquid that helps the body digest fats.
• Gallstones can block tube-like ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder to the small intestine.
• A blockage usually causes severe pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, just below the ribs.
• Gallstones can be permanently cured with surgery to remove the gallbladder.
• A fairly new operation for removing the gallbladder, sometimes called Band-Aid surgery, means less discomfort and a quicker recovery for patients.