Can medicines and food help in removal of gall stones?
- By: Dr. Kapil Agrawal
There is no doubt that everyone tends to avoid surgery and looks for an alternative non-surgical treatment of any disease.
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver that stores and concentrates bile, a digestive fluid released after meals to aid in digestion. Gallstones, formed from hardened bile and cholesterol, can cause severe discomfort and require surgical intervention. Dr. Kapil Agrawal, a renowned laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, is widely regarded as the best gallbladder surgeon in Delhi, India. With over 23 years of experience and more than 7,000 successful gallbladder surgeries, he is known for delivering excellent patient outcomes. Dr. Agrawal is associated with leading hospitals and is dedicated to offering safe, effective, and advanced surgical care.
The gallbladder is a tiny pear shaped organ located just below the liver. It is situated on the right upper side of the belly. The liver produces a yellow-coloured fluid known as BILE. This bile flows into the intestine and helps digest foods, especially fatty meals.
Gallstones are solid particles that develop in the gallbladder—a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores and releases a digestive fluid, named bile produced by the liver. Bile helps to break down food ingested and also transmits waste products like cholesterol and bilirubin, which are created from the breakdown of red blood cells. Sometimes, these substances can harden and form gallstones of varied sizes. Gallstones have a tendency to block bile duct; they can cause intense pain and may need instant medical intervention.
Storage of Bile:The liver produces 1.5 litres of bile daily; Most of the bile goes directly into the food pipe or intestine. Nevertheless, 50 ml of bile goes into the gall bladder and is stored as an emergency reserve.
Bile release:As soon as fatty foods or numerous large meals enter the small intestine, the gallbladder starts releasing bile so that food can be digested properly..
According to Dr. Kapil Agrawal, a leading gallbladder surgeon in Delhi, there are no noticeable symptoms of gallstones. When small stones restrict flow of bile juice, they can result in biliary colic- identified by sudden upper abdominal pain, nausea and digestive discomfort.
Few identifying symptoms are as follows:
Abdominal Pain: Pain can be in the right upper abdomen, central referred to back or general all over the abdomen.
Nausea or Vomiting:These symptoms can be generated as the stones block the ducts.
Bloating of the Abdomen:Gallstones can result in symptoms like indigestion that further led to formation and accumulation of gases in your intestines, resulting in abdominal bloating.
Jaundice: A yellowish tinge in your eyes and urine, which occurs when stones outflow from the gallbladder into main ducts, blocking bile flow.
High-grade Fever with Chills: Fever and shivers or chills may be a sign of infection in the gallbladder including that in either central bile duct.
Gallbladder stones are, in fact, solid pieces of cholesterol, calcium salts, or bilirubin. Main risk factors for Gallstones:
Metabolic Disturbances:Changes in cholesterol metabolism (Hyperlipidemia) - due to obesity, rapid gain or loss of weight.
Infection of the Gallbladder: Sometimes, gallbladder infection leads to loss of gallbladder function. As a result, the formation of stones starts in the gallbladder.
Hormonal Disturbances:Multiple pregnancies and obesity can result in hormonal imbalances, leading to diminished function of the gallbladder. As a result, stones start forming in the gallbladder.
Gallstone treatment has evolved outstandingly with invention of latest surgical technologies aimed for quicker recovery, minimum suffering and best aesthetic outcomes. At Habilite Clinics, Dr. Kapil Agrawal, the best gallbladder surgeons in Delhi, with expertise in numerous advanced techniques for efficacious gallstone removal.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is regarded as one of the best surgical treatments available for gallstones. This is minimally invasive procedure that is performed with general anesthesia in which:-
Dr. Kapil Agrawal, a skilled surgeon in laparoscopic surgery, brings top-notch surgical experience in gallbladder treatment in Delhi with minimal scarring, faster recovery and less complications.
Single port laparoscopic surgery is a modern version of conventional laparoscopy. In this procedure, only single incision is performed which is hidden within belly button, instead of multiple incisions. This surgery is aesthetically good, making scar invisible.
Although, technically demanding, this approach provides excellent cosmetic results and is best for few patients. To get best outcomes with single port surgery, proper evaluation of pateint is essential.
Robot-assisted surgery amplifies the surgeon’s precision, facility and visualization, making it ideal for complex gallbladder cases or patients with unusual anatomical variations. With robotic technology, Dr. Kapil Agarawal can efficiently perform high-controlled procedures. The cosmetic results are the same as conventional laparoscopy with higher chances of surgical accuracy in challenging cases.
At Habilite Clinics, we ensure quick and smooth recovery of our patients with painless and minimally invasive treatment. Our general guidelines for faster recovery are follows:
Hospital Stay: Patients can be discharged within 24 hours after surgery. Most patients are released after 24 hours of surgery at the hospital.
Pain Management: Mild pain or discomfort at your surgical sites for 24 to 36 hours. Patients are given oral pain medications for the next 3 days to manage pain.
Diet and Activity: After 48 hours of surgery, patients can consume a regular diet as per customized diet plan recommended by our skilled nutritionist. Usually a fat-free diet is recommended for 2-3 weeks.
Incision Care: Patient is strictly directed to keep incision site clean and dry. Stitches are usually dissoluble.
Follow-Up: Patient will have to take general follow up after 5 days of surgery to ensure smooth healing of surgical site.
Return to Normal Activities: Most people can resume their work and normal activities after 5 to 7 days of surgery.
Dr. Kapil Agrawal is the best surgeon for gallbladder and gallstone surgery in Delhi, known for his accuracy, a patient-centric care and expertise in advanced laparoscopic procedures. Here are few reasons why his surgical services stand out:
Expert Common Bile Duct stone treatment for bile duct blockages with advanced diagnosis, minimally invasive procedures, and faster recovery.
CBD Stone TreatmentAdvanced treatment for gallbladder polyps with expert evaluation, accurate diagnosis, and minimally invasive surgical options if needed.
Gallbladder Polyps TreatmentSo it is common to do gallbladder surgery and hernia repair the same time. It is especially therapeutic in cases of combined surgery and the patient under goes best if both are indicated.
Still, the choice relies on how complicated are the two surgeries and experience and expertise of the surgeon. Your surgeon is the best person to decide if it is safe to perform both the surgeries simultaneously.
Yes, you can live a completely normal life without a gallbladder and resume normal activities within a week.
There are few medicines that may dissolve cholesterol stones, but they are slow and ineffective. Surgery is the ultimate solution.
Surgery is not recommended for silent stones. Still, there are risks for further complications and thus surgery is advised.
Gallstones are not cancerous. Still, long-lasting or large gallstones can have risks for gallbladder cancer over time.
Gallbladder polyps forms on the inner wall of the gallbladder. Polyps larger than 10 mm may require gallbladder removal due to cancer risk.
Maintain a healthy weight, eat a balanced diet with high-fiber and low fat, and stay physically active and hydrated.
Yes, laparoscopic gallbladder and hernia surgery can be safely performed together without needing two separate procedures and need a single recovery period.
Stones in the CBD are diagnosed using imaging tests like MRCP, ultrasound, or ERCP.
Stones in the CBD can cause jaundice, pain, or infection. They are typically removed using ERCP (endoscopic procedure) before or along with gallbladder surgery.
A 7 mm stone may require surgery if it causes symptoms or complications.
Stones larger than 2 cm or multiple small stones that can slip into the bile duct are considered higher risk and may require surgery even they don’t have any symptoms.
Non-surgical methods are not that effective and are related to with high recurrence. Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the definitive treatment.
Avoid eating high-fat, greasy, or fried foods for a few weeks. Gradually introduce fiber and fats as per instructions of our nutritionists.
Most people don’t have long-term problems. Few symptoms are manageable with diet and lifestyle changes.
Non-surgical treatments like medicines are rarely effective and not recommended due to high recurrence. Surgery remains the safest and most effective option.
Most patients are advised to take rest for 3–5 days. You can resume light work in a week and normal activities in about 10–14 days.
Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery in Delhi ranges in between Rs.60,000 to Rs.1,20,000 based on hospital, surgical experience and amenities.
You should look for surgeon having golden experience in advanced laparoscopic surgery, good patient reviews, hospital associations and personalized care.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard. It is minimally invasive, safe and offers quicker recovery with minimal scarring.