Gallbladder, Gallstones, and Surgery in Grand Rapids, Michigan

The gallbladder is a small, pear‑shaped organ located under your liver. It stores bile, a digestive fluid made by the liver that helps your body break down dietary fats. When you eat, especially high‑fat foods, your gallbladder squeezes concentrated bile into your small intestine to aid digestion.

In Grand Rapids and across Michigan, gallstones are a common digestive health issue seen in primary care offices, urgent care centers, and hospitals such as Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health.

What Are Gallstones?

Gallstones (also called biliary calculi) are small, solid particles that form in the gallbladder. They are usually made from:

  • Cholesterol
  • Bile pigments
  • Calcium salts

Gallstones are a common disorder of the digestive system and affect an estimated 15% of people aged 50 years and over. Many adults in the Grand Rapids area may have gallstones without knowing it.

Types of Gallstones

There are three main types of gallstones:

  1. Mixed stones (most common)

    • Made of cholesterol, bile pigments, and calcium salts
    • Often form in groups or “batches”

  2. Cholesterol stones

    • Made mainly of cholesterol, a fat‑like substance essential for many body processes
    • Can grow large enough to block bile ducts

  3. Pigment stones

    • Made mostly from bile pigments (which give bile its greenish‑brown color)
    • Usually small but often numerous

How Do Gallstones Form?

There is no single cause of gallstones. They tend to form when:

  • The liver produces too much cholesterol for the bile to dissolve
  • Cholesterol or other components in bile crystallize and grow into stones
  • The gallbladder does not empty completely or regularly
  • There are changes in bile composition, such as increased bile pigments or calcium

Risk Factors for Gallstones

You may be at higher risk for gallstones if you:

  • Are female (especially during reproductive years)
  • Are overweight or obese – a concern in many Michigan communities
  • Are over age 40–50
  • Have a family history of gallstones
  • Eat a diet high in fat, fried foods, or cholesterol
  • Have rapid weight loss or have undergone weight‑loss surgery
  • Are pregnant or taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills
  • Have certain medical conditions (for example, diabetes, liver disease, or certain blood disorders)

In West Michigan, seasonal habits can play a role. For example, heavier comfort foods in winter and less physical activity during cold months may contribute to weight gain, which increases gallstone risk.

Symptoms of Gallstones

In about 70% of cases, gallstones cause no symptoms. These are called “silent” gallstones and are often found incidentally during imaging tests for other issues.

When gallstones do cause symptoms, they may include:

  • Pain in the upper right abdomen or center of the abdomen
    • Pain may spread to your back or right shoulder blade
    • Often occurs after eating a fatty meal (fried foods, cheese, creamy dishes)
  • Severe, cramping abdominal pain (biliary colic) that may last from minutes to hours
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fever or chills (can indicate infection)
  • Jaundice – yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Dark urine (orange or brown) and pale stools

If you live in Grand Rapids and develop sudden, severe upper abdominal pain, especially with fever or jaundice, you should seek urgent medical care at an emergency department such as Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or a local urgent care center.

Complications of Gallstones

If a gallstone blocks the gallbladder or bile ducts, it can cause serious complications that need prompt treatment.

Biliary Colic

  • Occurs when a gallstone moves into the neck of the gallbladder (cystic duct) and causes temporary blockage.
  • Symptoms:
    • Sudden, severe pain in the upper right abdomen
    • Pain may radiate to the back or right shoulder
    • Nausea or vomiting

Acute Cholecystitis (Inflammation of the Gallbladder)

  • Caused by a gallstone blocking the gallbladder duct, leading to infection and inflammation.
  • Symptoms:
    • Severe, constant abdominal pain (often right upper abdomen)
    • Fever
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Tenderness over the gallbladder area

Jaundice

  • If a gallstone blocks a bile duct leading to the intestine, bile backs up into the bloodstream instead of flowing into the digestive system.
  • Symptoms:
    • Yellowing of the skin and eyes
    • Dark orange or brown urine
    • Pale stools
    • Itching

Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the Pancreas)

  • Occurs when a gallstone blocks the bile duct near where it joins the pancreatic duct.
  • Pancreatic enzymes then irritate and inflame the pancreas and may leak into the abdominal cavity.
  • Symptoms:
    • Severe upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
    • Nausea and vomiting
    • Fever

Cholangitis (Infection of the Bile Ducts)

  • Infection and inflammation of the bile ducts due to blockage by a gallstone.
  • Symptoms:
    • Abdominal pain
    • Fever
    • Jaundice
    • Rigors (shaking chills)

Rare: Gallbladder Cancer

  • Chronic gallbladder inflammation from long‑standing gallstones may slightly increase the risk of gallbladder cancer, although this is rare.

If you experience any of these symptoms in Grand Rapids, contact your primary care provider, a gastroenterologist, or seek emergency care. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also help connect you with local medical resources if you’re unsure where to go.

Diagnosis of Gallstones in Grand Rapids

Doctors in Grand Rapids use several tests to diagnose gallstones and related complications. These may be available through:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health
  • Local imaging centers and hospital radiology departments

Common Diagnostic Tests

  • Physical examination and medical history

  • Blood tests

    • To check for infection, liver function, and pancreatic enzymes

  • Ultrasound

    • Uses soundwaves to create images of the gallbladder and bile ducts
    • First‑line, non‑invasive test to detect gallstones

  • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

    • A thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is passed through the mouth into the small intestine
    • Dye is injected into the bile and pancreatic ducts to improve x‑ray images
    • Can also be used to remove stones from the bile duct

  • Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) Scan

    • A type of nuclear medicine scan
    • Assesses how well the gallbladder fills and empties

  • Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

    • A specialized MRI that provides detailed images of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas
    • Non‑invasive and similar in purpose to ERCP, but used mainly for imaging, not treatment

When Do Gallstones Need Treatment?

No Symptoms (Silent Gallstones)

  • If gallstones are found incidentally and cause no symptoms, treatment is usually not needed.
  • Your doctor may simply monitor your condition.

Symptomatic Gallstones or Complications

You are more likely to need treatment if you:

  • Have repeated attacks of gallbladder pain
  • Have complications such as cholecystitis, jaundice, pancreatitis, or cholangitis
  • Are at high risk of complications (for example, certain medical conditions or anatomical issues)

In Grand Rapids, your treatment plan will be tailored by your primary care doctor, gastroenterologist, and/or general surgeon based on your symptoms, test results, and overall health.

Treatment Options for Gallstones

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

For mild symptoms or as part of long‑term management:

  • Limit fatty, fried, and greasy foods
  • Reduce high‑cholesterol foods
  • Avoid very large meals; eat smaller, more frequent meals
  • Maintain a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise
    • This is especially important in Michigan, where long winters can limit outdoor activity
  • Work with a dietitian (many are available through Grand Rapids health systems) if needed

Dietary changes alone do not remove existing gallstones, but they may reduce attacks and support overall digestive health.

Medications

Certain medications can help dissolve cholesterol gallstones, but:

  • They are used rarely
  • They may take months to years to work
  • Not effective for all types of stones
  • Gallstones may recur after treatment
  • Side effects can limit their use

Your Grand Rapids provider will discuss whether this option is appropriate for you, though surgery is more common.

Lithotripsy (Shock Wave Treatment)

Lithotripsy uses a special machine to generate soundwaves that shatter gallstones.

  • More commonly used for kidney stones
  • For gallstones, usually reserved for stones stuck in the bile duct, not in the gallbladder itself
  • Available only in select centers

Your specialist will advise if this is an option locally.

Surgery for Gallstones

Around 80% of people with gallstone symptoms ultimately need surgery. Surgery may involve:

  • Removing the entire gallbladder (cholecystectomy)
  • Removing stones from the bile ducts (sometimes done via ERCP)

The gallbladder is not a vital organ, and your body can function well without it. Bile will flow directly from the liver into the small intestine.

Types of Gallbladder Surgery in Grand Rapids

Gallbladder surgery is performed routinely at major Grand Rapids hospitals and surgical centers.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (“Keyhole” Surgery)

This is the most common method.

Procedure overview:

  1. You receive general anesthesia.
  2. The surgeon makes several small incisions in your abdomen.
  3. A tube is inserted to gently fill your abdomen with carbon dioxide gas.
    • This lifts the abdominal wall away from the organs, creating space to operate.
  4. A laparoscope (a thin tube with a tiny camera) is inserted, and the surgeon views the gallbladder on a TV monitor.
  5. Special instruments are inserted through the other small incisions.
  6. The ducts and artery connected to the gallbladder are clipped shut (these clips are permanent and usually cause no problems).
  7. The gallbladder, with its stones, is removed through one of the small incisions.
  8. The instruments and gas are removed, and the incisions are sutured and covered with dressings.
  9. Sometimes the surgeon performs cholangiograms (special x‑rays) during surgery to check for stones in the bile ducts.

Recovery:

  • Most people go home the same day or after an overnight stay.
  • Many return to light activities within a few days.
  • Most people feel largely recovered within about one week.

Open Cholecystectomy (Open Gallbladder Surgery)

Open surgery may be needed if:

  • You have scarring from prior operations
  • You have a bleeding disorder
  • The surgeon encounters unexpected difficulties during laparoscopic surgery (for example, difficulty seeing the gallbladder clearly)
  • There is severe inflammation, infection, or anatomical variation

Procedure overview:

  • Similar to laparoscopic surgery, but the surgeon makes a larger single incision in the abdominal wall to reach the gallbladder directly.

Recovery:

  • Hospital stay may be several days, sometimes up to 8 days.
  • Recovery at home is longer than with laparoscopic surgery.

Medical Factors to Discuss Before Surgery

Before cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), your Grand Rapids surgeon or anesthesiologist will review:

  • Your medical history, including:
    • Heart or lung disease
    • Diabetes
    • Bleeding disorders
    • Prior abdominal surgeries
  • Any medications you take regularly:
    • Prescription medications
    • Over‑the‑counter drugs
    • Herbal supplements and vitamins
  • Any allergies or past reactions to anesthesia or medications

This helps your care team at facilities like Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health plan a safe and effective surgery.

Immediately After Gallbladder Surgery

Right after your operation, you can expect to:

  • Feel drowsy from anesthesia
  • Have some abdominal discomfort and possibly:
    • Mild shoulder pain from the carbon dioxide gas used during laparoscopic surgery
  • Receive pain‑relieving medications
  • Be encouraged to cough regularly and take deep breaths to clear your lungs
  • Be encouraged to walk around as soon as you safely can to reduce the risk of blood clots

Most laparoscopic patients in Grand Rapids:

  • Stay in the hospital overnight or go home the same day
  • Have a follow‑up visit with their doctor 7–10 days after surgery

Possible Complications of Gallbladder Surgery

All surgery carries some degree of risk. Possible complications of cholecystectomy include:

  • Infection at the incision sites or inside the abdomen
  • Internal bleeding
  • Injury to nearby organs, such as:
    • Intestines
    • Stomach
    • Liver
  • Injury to the bile duct
  • Leakage of bile into the abdominal cavity
  • Blood clots (rare but serious)
  • Anesthesia‑related complications

Some rare complications may require another operation or additional procedures (such as ERCP) to correct.

Your surgeon will explain your individual risk based on your health, age, and the complexity of your case.

Self‑Care and Recovery at Home in Grand Rapids

Your doctor will provide specific instructions, but general self‑care suggestions include:

  • Rest as much as you can for 3–5 days after laparoscopic surgery
    (longer after open surgery)
  • Avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for the period recommended by your surgeon
  • Gradually increase your activity as you feel able
  • Follow any wound care instructions:
    • Keep incisions clean and dry
    • Watch for signs of infection (redness, warmth, pus, worsening pain, fever)
  • Take pain medications as prescribed
  • Start with light, low‑fat meals and slowly reintroduce other foods as tolerated

Digestive Changes After Gallbladder Removal

Your digestive system may take a few days to settle. Short‑term issues can include:

  • Bloating
  • Mild abdominal pain or cramping
  • Changes in bowel habits (looser stools or more frequent bowel movements)

Most people in Grand Rapids can return to work and normal daily activities within about a week after laparoscopic surgery, depending on the type of work they do.

Long‑Term Outlook After Gallbladder Surgery

  • Most people live normal, healthy lives without a gallbladder.
  • Bile flows directly from the liver into the intestines, which is usually adequate for digestion.
  • Some people may notice:
    • Mild sensitivity to very fatty meals
    • Occasional loose stools, especially early on
  • These symptoms often improve over time, and many people have no long‑term digestive problems.

Maintaining a balanced diet, staying active year‑round (even during Michigan winters), and maintaining a healthy weight can support your digestive health after surgery.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you think you may have gallstones or are experiencing symptoms, contact:

  • Your GP / Primary Care Provider
  • Gastroenterologist (digestive specialist)
  • General surgeon experienced in gallbladder surgery
  • Kent County Health Department – for information on local clinics and resources
  • Grand Rapids Public Health – for community health programs and referrals

For urgent symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, fever, or jaundice, seek immediate care at:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health emergency departments or urgent care centers

If your clinic or health system offers a nurse advice line, you can call for 24/7 guidance on whether you should go to urgent care, the ER, or schedule an office visit.

Key Points About Gallstones and Gallbladder Surgery in Grand Rapids

  • Gallstones are common, especially in adults over 50, and many cause no symptoms.
  • In most cases, silent gallstones don’t require treatment.
  • Symptoms can include upper abdominal pain, back or shoulder pain, nausea, fever, and jaundice.
  • Complications such as cholecystitis, pancreatitis, cholangitis, and jaundice require prompt medical attention.
  • Laparoscopic (“keyhole”) cholecystectomy is the most common and preferred surgery for symptomatic gallstones.
  • Open surgery may be needed in more complex cases.
  • Most people in Grand Rapids recover well and live normal lives without a gallbladder.

If you live in the Grand Rapids, MI area and are concerned about gallstones or gallbladder pain, schedule an appointment with your local healthcare provider to discuss evaluation and treatment options.