When to seek care for gallbladder issues

The gallbladder is an organ we don’t often think about. But did you know gallbladder removal is the most common general surgery performed in the United States?

What is the gallbladder, and why would you need it removed? We spoke to general surgeon Amber Wooten, MD, with MultiCare General Surgery – Cascade in Yakima to get answers to these questions, understand symptoms and know when to seek care.

How the gallbladder works

The gallbladder is a small digestive organ located under the liver. It stores and releases bile, a fluid that helps break down fats so they can be more easily digested.

Because the gallbladder is involved in processing fats, eating habits can directly affect how well it functions. People who consume a lot of processed or fast foods high in fat and cholesterol are more at risk of the formation of gallstones.

Gallstones are hardened pieces of bile products (typically cholesterol) and are the most common reason for gallbladder issues. They may not cause problems (you can pass them without even knowing it), but they have the potential to block the bile ducts and cause pain or lead to more severe complications.

The gallbladder vs. the appendix

While gallbladder issues can have overlapping symptoms with appendicitis — like nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain — it’s important to distinguish between the two.

Both the appendix and gallbladder are located on the right side of the body. The appendix is in the lower right quadrant, and the gallbladder is in the upper right quadrant. With gallbladder issues, pain usually starts there and radiates into the shoulder blade and chest.

“With gallbladder pain, symptoms typically appear 30 minutes to an hour after a meal and will come and go,” Dr. Wooten says. “With the appendix, the pain is persistent.”

Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

• Sharp pain under the right ribs that may radiate to the back or the right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting (often occurs after eating, especially fatty foods)
• Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes) — may indicate a blocked bile duct
• Pale stools, dark urine or tea-colored urine — may suggest bile duct obstruction
• Fever or chills — may signal infection, such as acute cholecystitis

When is surgery necessary?

Sometimes gallbladder issues can be managed with dietary changes alone. But if you’re experiencing pain, it’s recommended to get it removed.

“We recommend gallbladder removal surgery when gallstones are symptomatic,” Dr. Wooten says. “Not removing it can lead to complications like cholecystitis, which is an infection of the gallbladder that requires emergency surgery, or a blockage of bile ducts that can cause pancreatitis.”

Gallbladder removal is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure (you go home the same day) that is done laparoscopically or with robotic assistance. It only takes about 30 minutes to an hour.

And yes, you can live normally without a gallbladder.

“Most people can go back to their normal lifestyle with no major dietary changes,” Dr. Wooten explains. “If someone has an issue, we can usually narrow it down to trigger foods.”

How to protect your gallbladder

While gallbladder problems are common, paying attention to symptoms, seeking care when pain starts and making healthy dietary choices can help protect your gallbladder and lower your risk of complications.

Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet low in fat and high in fiber, and staying hydrated can all support gallbladder health and help keep your digestive system working smoothly.