Your Complete Guide to Gallbladder Disease & Treatment
Expert Guidance from Dr. Hesham Atwa, Founder of Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors
Gallbladder problems are far more common than most people realize and they can significantly affect how you feel day to day. For some patients, symptoms begin slowly, with bloating, nausea, or discomfort after meals. For others, gallbladder disease causes sudden, intense pain that interrupts daily life and can send them to the emergency room.
Many people hope these symptoms will go away on their own or try to manage them by avoiding certain foods. While diet changes may offer temporary relief, gallbladder disease often progresses over time and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
This guide was created by Dr. Hesham Atwa, founder of Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors, to help you understand gallbladder disease in clear, practical terms so you can recognize symptoms early, understand your treatment options, and take confident steps toward long-term relief.
Understanding the Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver on the right side of the abdomen. Its primary role is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps your body digest fats.
When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile into the digestive tract. Problems occur when bile flow is disrupted or when material in the bile hardens, leading to inflammation or blockage. When this happens, pain and digestive symptoms often follow.
What Is Gallbladder Disease?
Gallbladder disease is a broad term used to describe conditions that interfere with the normal function of the gallbladder. The most common cause is gallstones, but symptoms can occur even when stones are not present.
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form when bile components become unbalanced. These stones can block the normal flow of bile, causing pressure, inflammation, and pain. In some cases, the gallbladder may not empty properly, leading to symptoms even without stones.
Regardless of the exact cause, gallbladder disease tends to worsen over time once symptoms begin which makes proper evaluation especially important.
Common Symptoms Patients Experience
Gallbladder symptoms don’t always look the same from person to person, but many patients describe a pattern. Pain is often felt in the upper right portion of the abdomen or just below the breastbone. It may come on after eating, particularly after fatty or greasy meals, and can radiate to the back or right shoulder blade.
Other common symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Feeling overly full after small meals
Some patients experience symptoms intermittently, while others notice that discomfort becomes more frequent or severe over time.
Because these symptoms can overlap with other digestive conditions, it’s important not to ignore them or assume they are “just indigestion.”
When to Seek Medical Care
If you are experiencing recurring abdominal pain or digestive discomfort that doesn’t improve, it’s time to schedule a consultation. Gallbladder disease rarely resolves on its own once symptoms appear.
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, fever or chills, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or repeated vomiting. These symptoms may indicate a serious gallbladder complication that requires urgent care.
Early evaluation often leads to simpler treatment and helps prevent emergencies.
How Gallbladder Problems Are Diagnosed
Diagnosing gallbladder disease begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms and medical history, followed by a physical examination. Dr. Hesham Atwa or one of the other surgeons at Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors may recommend imaging studies (most commonly an ultrasound) to look for gallstones or signs of inflammation.
In some cases, additional testing is needed to assess how well your gallbladder is functioning or to rule out related conditions. An accurate diagnosis allows your surgeon to recommend the most appropriate and effective treatment plan for your situation.
Treatment Options for Gallbladder Disease
While some patients attempt to manage symptoms through diet alone, this approach does not address the underlying problem. Once gallbladder disease becomes symptomatic, surgery is typically the most effective and definitive treatment.
Minimally Invasive Gallbladder Removal
The most common treatment is laparoscopic or robotic gallbladder removal, also known as a cholecystectomy. Using small incisions and advanced surgical technology, your surgeon is able to remove the gallbladder with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue.
This approach offers several advantages, including less pain, smaller scars, and a faster recovery. Most patients return home the same day and resume normal activities within a short period of time.
Open Surgery (When Necessary)
In rare or complex cases, such as severe inflammation or scar tissue, an open approach may be required. When this is necessary, your surgeon would carefully explain the reasoning and ensure patients receive safe, effective care with excellent outcomes.
Life After Gallbladder Surgery
One of the most common concerns patients have is whether they can live normally without a gallbladder. The answer is yes.
After surgery, bile flows directly from the liver into the digestive tract rather than being stored. Most patients return to their normal diet over time and experience significant relief from the symptoms that brought them in for care.
Temporary digestive changes can occur, but these typically improve as the body adjusts.
What to Expect Before and After Surgery
Before surgery, Dr. Atwa and his team will review your medical history, explain the procedure in detail, and provide clear instructions to help you prepare. This may include short-term dietary changes, medication adjustments, and routine pre-operative testing.
After surgery, recovery is usually straightforward. Most patients are encouraged to begin walking the same day and gradually resume light activities. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor healing and ensure long-term success.
Why Long Island Patients Trust Dr. Hesham Atwa
Dr. Hesham Atwa is a board-certified, award-winning surgeon with advanced training in laparoscopic and robotic surgery. As the founder of Long Island Laparoscopic Doctors, he has performed thousands of minimally invasive procedures and is known for his precision, compassion, and patient-focused approach.
Patients choose Dr. Atwa because they value:
- Advanced minimally invasive and robotic techniques
- Faster recovery and reduced post-operative discomfort
- Clear communication and education
- A team that prioritizes comfort, safety, and outcomes
Patients throughout Nassau and Suffolk Counties trust Dr. Hesham Atwa for gallbladder care because expertise and compassion are never mutually exclusive in his practice.
Take the Next Step Toward Relief
Gallbladder pain is not something you need to “live with,” and treatment is often far less intimidating than you may expect. With today’s minimally invasive surgical options, most people experience rapid relief and a smooth recovery.
If you are experiencing gallbladder symptoms or have already been diagnosed, Dr. Hesham Atwa and his team are here to help you take the next step with confidence. You can reach out to schedule a consultation or ask any questions at https://journeytothenewyou.com/contact-us/
References & Further Resources
1 Shaffer, E. A. (2018). Epidemiology and risk factors for gallstone disease: Has the paradigm changed in the 21st century? Current Gastroenterology Reports, 20(6), 1–10.
2 Soper, N. J. (2023). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448145/
3 Stinton, L. M., & Shaffer, E. A. (2012). Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: Cholelithiasis and cancer. Gut and Liver, 6(2), 172–187. https://doi.org/10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172
4 Tazuma, S., Unno, M., Igarashi, Y., Inui, K., Uchiyama, K., Kai, M., Tsuyuguchi, T., Maguchi, H., & Mori, T. (2017). Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for cholelithiasis. Journal of Gastroenterology, 52(3), 276–300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-016-1289-7
5 Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons. (2022). Guidelines for the clinical application of laparoscopic biliary tract surgery. https://www.sages.org/publications/guidelines/guidelines-for-the-clinical-application-of-laparoscopic-biliary-tract-surgery/
6 American College of Surgeons. (2023). Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy): Patient education.
Gallbladder Surgery: Myths vs. Facts
Clearing up common concerns about gallbladder disease and treatment
MYTH #1: Gallbladder pain will eventually go away on its own.
FACT: While symptoms may come and go at first, gallbladder disease rarely resolves without treatment once symptoms begin. In many cases, attacks become more frequent or more painful over time.
MYTH #2: If I avoid fatty foods, I can avoid surgery.
FACT: Diet changes may temporarily reduce symptoms, but they do not remove gallstones or correct gallbladder dysfunction. Once symptoms are present, surgery is often the most effective long-term solution.
MYTH #3: Gallbladder surgery is a major operation with a long recovery.
FACT: Modern gallbladder surgery is usually performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic or robotic techniques. Most patients go home the same day and return to normal activities much sooner than expected.
MYTH #4: I won’t be able to digest food normally without a gallbladder.
FACT: The gallbladder is helpful but not essential. After removal, bile flows directly from the liver into the digestive tract. Most patients digest food normally and feel significantly better once symptoms are gone.
MYTH #5: Gallbladder surgery should be avoided unless it’s an emergency.
FACT: Planned gallbladder surgery is often simpler and safer than waiting for an emergency situation. Treating gallbladder disease early can help prevent complications such as infection or severe inflammation.
MYTH #6: All gallstones require immediate surgery.
FACT: Gallstones that cause no symptoms may be monitored. Surgery is usually recommended only when gallstones or gallbladder dysfunction cause pain, digestive issues, or repeated attacks.
MYTH: All surgeons perform gallbladder surgery the same way.
FACT: Experience matters. Surgeons trained in advanced laparoscopic and robotic techniques can often offer less invasive procedures, smoother recoveries, and better overall patient experiences.
The Bottom Line
Gallbladder surgery is one of the most common and effective procedures performed today. For most patients, it brings lasting relief. Understanding the facts can help you feel confident and prepared when making decisions about your care.