Gallstones are hard, pebble shaped particles that form in the gallbladder or in the bile duct. They vary in size from as small as a grain of salt to as large as a golf ball. Gallstones are formed from a liquid called bile, which helps the body digest fats. It hardens into the stone-like material when it contains too much cholesterol, bile salts or bilirubin.

There are two types of gallstones. One is called cholesterol stones and the other is called pigment stones. Cholesterol stones account for 80% of gallstones and are usually yellow-green. They are primarily made of harden cholesterol. Pigment stones account for the other 20% of gallstones. They are normally small dark stones primarily made of bilirubin and bile salts. People with hereditary blood disorders such as Sickle Cell Anemia are at a greater risk of developing pigment stones.

Most people with gallstones have what is called "silent stones", meaning they have no signs or symptoms. They usually discover that they have stones during routine checkups or exams for other illnesses.

When a person does have symptoms this is called a gallstone attack. The person usually experiences extreme pain in the upper right abdomen lasting for one or more hours. Pain can also be present in the upper back between the shoulder blades or in the right shoulder blade. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, belching, gas and indegestion are also common symptoms

If you have the symptoms above as well as sweating, fever, chills, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or clay colored stools you should contact you doctor or go to the nearest ER immediatly.

Most people with gallstones will develope gallstones again at some point in their lifetime. It is common to have the gall bladder removed.

The most common method to remove the gall bladder is called Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. The gall bladder is removed using a lighted tube called a laparoscope through a small incision in the abdomen. Most patients leave the hospital the same day after a few hours in recovery.

The classic tradition of surgery to remove the gall bladder is called Open Cholecystectomy. An incision is made just below the ribs in length of 5 to 7 inches. This method requires a hospital stay of 5 to 7 days.