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title: "Gallstones in Curitiba — Femi Saúde"
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description: "Gallstones (cholelithiasis) in Curitiba: pain after fatty meals, diagnosis by ultrasound, and when surgery is needed. General surgery."
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"og:title": "Gallstones in Curitiba — Femi Saúde"
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"twitter:title": "Gallstones in Curitiba — Femi Saúde"
---
Clínica Femi Saúde — Home
Clínica Femi Saúde — Home
Individualized surgical assessment
# Gallstones (Cholelithiasis)
Gallstones: symptoms and when to operate
Consulta
Consulta + exames
## What it is
Gallstones form when components of bile, such as cholesterol, crystallize inside the gallbladder. They are very common, especially in women, with age, during pregnancy, with estrogen use, with obesity and after rapid weight loss. Many people feel nothing and discover the stones on a routine ultrasound. When there are symptoms, the most typical is biliary colic: intense pain in the upper right abdomen or in the pit of the stomach, which appears after fatty meals and can radiate to the back, with nausea. Gallstones can cause complications, such as cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction and pancreatitis. Symptomatic stones or those with complications are an indication for cholecystectomy, usually by laparoscopy.
## Most common symptoms
- Severe pain in the upper right abdomen or upper mid-abdomen
- Pain that starts after fatty meals and radiates to the back
- Nausea and vomiting during a pain episode
- Sensation of fullness and poor digestion
- Fever and persistent pain when cholecystitis is present
- Yellowing of skin and eyes when the bile ducts are blocked
- No symptoms, found incidentally on a routine ultrasound
## Causes and risk factors
- Crystallization of cholesterol and other bile components
- Female sex, pregnancy and estrogen use
- Age over 40
- Obesity and rapid weight loss
- Family history of gallstones
- Diabetes and a high-fat diet
## How it is diagnosed
The evaluation begins with the history of the pain: its location, relationship to meals, duration of episodes and associated symptoms such as nausea and fever. The physical exam checks for tenderness under the ribs on the right side. Abdominal ultrasound is the test of choice, since it identifies the stones, the thickness of the gallbladder wall and any dilation of the bile ducts. Blood tests assess signs of inflammation and liver and pancreas function. In specific situations, MRI or CT scans complement the investigation.
## How we treat it at Femi Saúde
Stones found incidentally, without symptoms, can simply be monitored, with dietary guidance and attention to warning signs. When there is recurrent biliary colic or complications such as cholecystitis or pancreatitis, cholecystectomy — removal of the gallbladder with the stones — is indicated. The general surgery team at Femi Saúde performs the procedure by laparoscopy, through small incisions, which usually allows for a quicker recovery, depending on the case. During an acute episode, pain relievers and, when there is infection, antibiotics control the condition until surgery. The plan is individualized, taking into account the patient's symptoms, test results and health condition.
## When to see a gynecologist
Book a consultation if you feel pain in the right side of the abdomen after meals, especially if the episodes recur or if stones have already shown up on an ultrasound. Severe pain that does not ease within a few hours, fever, persistent vomiting or yellowing of the skin can indicate cholecystitis: go to an emergency department.
## What we offer
1
Diagnosis by ultrasound
2
Differentiation from other causes of abdominal pain
3
Prevention of complications such as cholecystitis and pancreatitis
4
Individualized surgical indication
5
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy when indicated
## General Surgery specialists
[Dr. Henrique Stachon
Surgeon and Integrative Physician](https://femisaude.com.br/en/doctors/dr-henrique-stachon) [Dra. Juliana Ferreira
Coloproctologist](https://femisaude.com.br/en/doctors/dra-juliana-ferreira) [Dra. Roberta Boscardin
Surgeon and Coloproctologist](https://femisaude.com.br/en/doctors/dra-roberta-boscardin)
## General Surgery treatments at Femi Saúde
[Laser Cantoplasty (Ingrown Toenail)
In-office treatment for ingrown toenails](https://femisaude.com.br/en/treatment/cantoplastia-laser) [Sebaceous Cyst Removal
Complete removal of the cyst in the office](https://femisaude.com.br/en/treatment/remocao-cisto-sebaceo) [Mole Removal (Nevi)
Assessment and removal of moles and skin marks](https://femisaude.com.br/en/treatment/remocao-pintas-nevos) [Lipoma Removal
Removal of the fatty lump under the skin](https://femisaude.com.br/en/treatment/remocao-lipoma) [Abscess Drainage
Relief of pain and inflammation](https://femisaude.com.br/en/treatment/drenagem-abscesso) [Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Gallbladder surgery through small incisions](https://femisaude.com.br/en/treatment/colecistectomia-videolaparoscopica)
[See all General Surgery treatments ](https://femisaude.com.br/en/specialties/cirurgia-geral)
## Ready to schedule?
Schedule your consultation and discover how this procedure can transform your quality of life.
[Schedule via WhatsApp]()
## Sitemap
See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.