The short explanation
Gallstones found by chance, without any symptoms, are very common, especially in women. Many people with silent gallstones never develop problems, which is why doctors often advise watching rather than operating straight away. Surgery has its own risks, so it is usually offered when stones start causing symptoms or complications. What matters is knowing which symptoms to watch for. These include pain in the upper right or middle of the belly, often after a meal and lasting from half an hour to several hours, pain spreading to the right shoulder or back, fever, vomiting, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. If any of these happen, you should see a doctor promptly.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Some people with diabetes, very large stones, or certain gallbladder findings may be advised surgery even without symptoms; your doctor considers this.
- Rapid weight loss, pregnancy and some hormone treatments make gallstones more likely.
- Eating a balanced diet and keeping a steady weight are sensible, but diet does not dissolve existing stones.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether waiting is right for you. Your doctor will decide based on your scan and health.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Are my stones a type that is likely to cause problems?
- What symptoms should make me come back?
- Would surgery ever be needed even without symptoms?
- Should I change my diet?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the emergency department if you have severe abdominal pain with fever, shivering or yellow eyes.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you have pain in the upper right abdomen lasting more than a few hours.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine follow-up as your doctor suggested.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Abdominal pain MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine)
- Stomach ache NHS
- Indigestion NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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