Gallbladder Surgery in London

Written and reviewed by Mr Mohamed Aly FRCS, Consultant Upper GI and General Surgeon. Last reviewed: September 2026.

If gallstones are causing you pain, the usual treatment is keyhole surgery to remove your gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). I am Mr Mohamed Aly, a consultant upper GI and general surgeon, and I carry out this operation in London.

You can see me at The Clementine Churchill Hospital in Harrow or at LIPS, Battersea Power Station. I operate at The Clementine Churchill Hospital and at Bishops Wood Hospital.

My work also covers problems caused by gallstones, such as an inflamed gallbladder and pancreatitis caused by gallstones.

Where can I read independent reviews?

These ratings come from Doctify, an independent review site. Read all my patient reviews on Doctify.

What is gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy)?

Gallbladder surgery, medically known as a cholecystectomy, is the surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder. This small, pear-shaped organ stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by your liver. When gallstones form or the gallbladder becomes inflamed, it can cause significant pain and serious health problems.

The NHS website also has a clear guide to gallbladder removal.

Why would I need my gallbladder removed?

Gallbladder removal becomes necessary when gallstones or inflammation cause persistent and severe symptoms, or lead to complications such as:

• Frequent or severe gallstone attacks (biliary colic): Intense pain in your upper right abdomen.
• Acute cholecystitis: Sudden, severe inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas caused by a gallstone blocking the bile duct.
• Choledocholithiasis: Gallstones moving into and blocking the main bile ducts.
• Gallbladder polyps: Certain types or sizes of polyps that may have a risk of becoming cancerous.
• Acalculous cholecystitis: Gallbladder inflammation without the presence of stones.

How is gallbladder surgery done?

Most people have keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). It needs only a few small cuts, so recovery is usually quicker than after open surgery.

Here is what happens during the operation:

1. Small Incisions: Your surgeon will make several tiny incisions (usually 3-4, each about 0.5-1 cm) in your abdomen. One incision is made near the belly button.
2. Laparoscope Insertion: A thin tube with a light and camera (laparoscope) goes in through one cut. It lets the surgeon see inside your abdomen on a screen.
3. Inflation: Your abdomen is gently inflated with carbon dioxide gas to create working space and better visibility.
4. Instrument Insertion: Specialised surgical instruments are inserted through the other small incisions.
5. Gallbladder Removal: The surgeon carefully detaches and removes the gallbladder.
6. Closure: The instruments are removed, the gas is released, and the small incisions are closed with stitches or surgical tape.

How long does gallbladder surgery take?

Gallbladder surgery usually takes between half an hour to an hour and a half. Some cases where the gallbladder has been infected for a long time, take a little longer to finish. More time is needed to carefully perform the surgery and avoid injury.

Is gallbladder surgery dangerous?

Keyhole gallbladder removal is very safe. It is one of the most commonly performed abdominal operations worldwide.

However, like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks, though serious complications are rare. These can include:

• Bleeding
• Infection at the incision sites or internally
• Bile leak (from the liver or bile ducts)
• Injury to the bile duct or nearby organs (e.g., liver, intestine)
• Complications from the anaesthetic
• Blood clots

I will carefully assess your individual health and circumstances to minimise risks and ensure the safest possible outcome. I will discuss all potential risks with you in detail during your consultation.

What is recovery like?

Most people recover from keyhole gallbladder surgery within a few weeks. How long it takes depends on the type of surgery and your general health.

What Is The Recovery Time?

• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy:
  • Hospital Stay: Most patients go home the same day or within 24 hours.
  • Return to Light Activities: You can usually resume light activities within a few days.
  • Full Recovery: Most people feel significantly better within 1 to 2 weeks and can return to normal activities, including work, within 2-4 weeks. You should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 2-4 weeks.

Where is Pain After Gallbladder Surgery?

It’s common to experience some pain after gallbladder surgery.

• Incision Sites: You will feel pain and tenderness around your small abdominal incisions.
• Shoulder Pain: A common sensation is pain in the right shoulder or upper back. This is from the residual gas (from the laparoscopic procedure) irritating the diaphragm, which shares nerves with the shoulder. This usually subsides within 24-48 hours.
• Abdominal Discomfort: You might also feel general abdominal discomfort, bloating, or cramping as your body adjusts.

You receive pain medication to manage your discomfort before you go home.

What to Expect After Gallbladder Surgery:

• Diet: You’ll start with clear liquids and gradually advance to a normal diet. Some people find that certain fatty or greasy foods may cause digestive upset initially, but most can return to a regular diet over time. I will provide you detailed dietary advice.
• Bowel Movements: It’s common to experience changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea or constipation, in the days or weeks following surgery.
• Activity: Walking is excellent for recovery. Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities as advised by your surgeon.
• Incision Care: Keep incisions clean and dry. Watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, increasing pain).

When is Gallbladder Surgery an Emergency?

While many gallbladder surgeries are planned, there are situations where gallbladder surgery is needed urgently or becomes an emergency.

Emergency gallbladder surgery is typically warranted when complications arise that pose immediate threats to your health, such as:

• Acute Cholecystitis with Severe Symptoms: Intense, unrelenting abdominal pain, often accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting, that doesn’t respond to conservative treatment.
• Gallstone Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas caused by a gallstone, which can be a severe and life-threatening condition requiring immediate intervention.
• Cholangitis: A severe infection of the bile ducts, often caused by a blocked gallstone, leading to fever, chills, jaundice, and severe abdominal pain. This is a medical emergency.
• Gallbladder Perforation: A rare but serious complication where the inflamed gallbladder wall ruptures, potentially leading to widespread infection (peritonitis).

In these critical scenarios, emergency surgery aims to:

• Relieve life-threatening blockages.
• Control severe infection and inflammation.
• Prevent organ damage or sepsis (a life-threatening response to infection).
• Address acute, unmanageable pain.

Delaying surgery in these cases can lead to much more severe health consequences. If you suddenly become unwell with these symptoms, go to your nearest emergency department. For a planned assessment, please get in touch.

How long does it really take to recover from gallbladder surgery?

The honest answer depends mainly on which type of surgery you had.

After keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), most people can move around the house within a day or two. Most can drive again after about a week, once they can do an emergency stop comfortably and are off strong painkillers.

Most return to a desk job within one to two weeks. More physical work or exercise usually takes two to four weeks.

Open surgery, where a larger cut is made in the abdomen, demands more from your body. A full recovery typically takes six to eight weeks, and you will need more support at home in the early stages.

Individual factors — your general health before surgery, your age, and whether you had any complications — all influence how quickly you bounce back. These timescales are general guides, not guarantees for any individual.

Your surgical team will give you specific advice tailored to your situation before you are discharged.

Is recovery different for women?

In straightforward terms, no — the biology of gallbladder removal and the healing process are not materially different between men and women. The same tissues are cut and repaired, and the body heals in the same way regardless of sex.

Gallbladder problems are more common in women, which means this question comes up a great deal. It is completely understandable to wonder, but you can reassure yourself that the general recovery timescales and advice apply equally to you.

Some personal circumstances need extra planning, for example if you are breastfeeding or have recently given birth. Please raise these with your surgeon before the operation.

What should I expect in the first week?

The first few days are usually about rest. Fatigue is normal — your body is using a lot of energy to heal. Most people go home the same day or the day after keyhole surgery and spend the first week taking things easy at home.

You may notice some bloating, wind, or loose stools. This is common as your digestive system adjusts to the absence of the gallbladder. It usually settles within a few weeks.

Shoulder tip pain is a well-known side effect of keyhole surgery. The carbon dioxide gas used during the operation irritates the diaphragm, and you feel this in your shoulder.

It sounds alarming but is harmless, and it usually passes within a day or two. Gentle movement and walking can help.

Short walks around the house from day one are encouraged. Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous housework, or anything that strains your abdomen until your surgical team says otherwise.

Is pain after gallbladder removal normal?

Yes, some discomfort after gallbladder removal is entirely normal. You can expect soreness around the wound sites, a general aching feeling in the abdomen, and the shoulder tip pain described above.

This discomfort is usually manageable with the painkillers your team recommends at discharge, and it should steadily improve day by day. Contact your surgical team rather than wait if your pain is getting worse, or feels different or more severe than before.

A small number of people experience ongoing digestive discomfort — including bloating or changes in bowel habit — for several weeks after surgery. This is usually temporary. If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, mention them at your follow-up appointment.

What can I eat after my gallbladder is removed?

The gallbladder stores bile, which helps to digest fat. Once it is removed, bile drips continuously from the liver into the small intestine rather than being released in concentrated bursts. This means your body can still digest fat, but it may take a little time to adjust.

In the first few weeks, many people find that smaller, more frequent meals sit better than large ones. A diet that is lower in fat to begin with — while your digestive system settles — is sensible for most people. Very greasy or heavily fried food may cause loose stools or cramping initially.

There is no single diet plan that suits everyone after gallbladder removal. The general principle is to eat balanced, varied meals, introduce foods gradually, and notice which, if any, seem to trigger discomfort. Most people find they can eat a normal, unrestricted diet within a few weeks to a couple of months.

If you are struggling significantly with your diet or losing weight unintentionally, ask for a referral to a dietitian through your surgical team.

When should I call the surgeon?

Most post-operative discomfort is normal and improves steadily, but some symptoms need prompt attention. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you notice any of the following.

Seek urgent care if you have any of these:

• a high temperature (fever)
• increasing redness, swelling or discharge from a wound
• severe abdominal pain that is getting worse
• yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
• dark urine or pale stools
• vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down
• shortness of breath or chest pain

These symptoms can indicate infection, a bile leak, or another complication that needs to be assessed quickly. If you cannot reach your surgical team and you are concerned, go to your nearest emergency department rather than wait.

When in doubt, call. No surgeon will mind being contacted by a patient who turns out to be fine. It is always better to be checked.

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I drive after gallbladder surgery?

After keyhole surgery, most people can drive again after about a week. You should wait until you can do an emergency stop comfortably and no longer need prescription-strength painkillers.

After open surgery, it is usually longer. Your surgical team will advise you based on your progress.

How long will I be off work after gallbladder removal?

For a desk-based job, one to two weeks off is typical after keyhole surgery. Physical or manual work usually needs two to four weeks.

Open surgery generally means a longer absence of four to eight weeks. Your surgeon can provide a fit note if needed.

Will my digestion go back to normal after gallbladder removal?

For most people, yes. Loose stools, bloating or sensitivity to fatty food in the first few weeks usually settle as your body adapts.

A small number of people have longer-term changes. If symptoms last beyond a couple of months, discuss them with your surgeon or GP.

Can I exercise after gallbladder surgery?

Light walking is encouraged from the very first days at home. Harder exercise, such as running, swimming or gym work, should wait until your surgical team says it is safe. This is usually around two to four weeks after keyhole surgery, and longer after open surgery.

Do I need a special diet permanently after gallbladder removal?

The vast majority of people return to a normal, unrestricted diet within a few weeks to a couple of months. Starting with lower-fat, smaller meals while your body adjusts is sensible, but there is no medically required permanent diet for most people after gallbladder removal. Individual tolerance varies, so pay attention to how different foods make you feel.

Who will be your surgeon?

My NHS post is as a consultant surgeon at The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where I lead the development of upper GI surgery. I am also a Senior Clinical Lecturer at Brunel University London.

My qualifications are MBBCh, MPhil (University of Cambridge) and FRCS (Royal College of Surgeons of England).

When you see me, you can expect:

• A clear diagnosis: a careful assessment, with scans and tests where you need them.
• A plan made for you: treatment based on your symptoms and your general health.
• Keyhole surgery where suitable: small cuts and a quicker recovery for most people.
• Support after your operation: clear advice and follow-up while you recover.

Can I use my health insurance, or pay for myself?

Yes, you can do either. I see patients insured by Bupa, AXA Health, Healix, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and Cigna, and patients who pay for themselves.

If you are using insurance, contact your insurer first. They will need to pre-authorise your treatment, and you will need a referral letter from your GP or another specialist.

If you are paying for yourself, you can book directly without a GP referral. A first consultation costs £250 and a follow-up costs £150, whether you are seen in person or virtually.

The cost of the operation itself depends on your treatment plan. The appointments page has more details.

How do I book a consultation?

Call the team on +44 (0) 207 164 6114 or email aly.admin@lips.org.uk. You can also book through the appointments page.

For GPs — Gallstones Referral & Management Guide

A practical primary-care reference for the assessment, referral, and management of gallstones. Covers when to refer, when to reassure, and when urgent admission is required. Includes guidance on polyp management, the 2WW pathway, pregnancy considerations, and what to include in a referral.

For referrals: aly.admin@lips.org.uk
Secretary: +44 (0) 207 164 6114

This page gives general information only. It cannot replace an individual assessment, so please see a specialist about your own symptoms.