The need for surgery is usually determined by the size of the gallstones and the specific symptoms. If the diameter is small and there is no discomfort, then surgery is not necessary, while if the diameter is large and accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension, then surgery is necessary.
If the diameter of gallstones is small and there are no symptoms such as pain, lifestyle modifications such as eating a regular diet, reducing the intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and exercising moderately can be made to avoid acute attacks of the stones.
However, if the diameter of gallstones is large and symptoms such as abdominal distension, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever recur, surgical treatment such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended as soon as possible to avoid affecting the quality of life.
It is recommended that gallstone patients try to maintain a light and nutritious diet, avoiding foods with high cholesterol content, such as animal offal and egg yolks, as well as avoiding excessively oily, spicy and irritating foods.