Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for gallstones. These are small stones that form inside the gallbladder. The gallbladder a small, pear-shaped organ that is tucked under the liver. It stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down fat.
Gallstones can clog your gallbladder, liver, or pancreas, and keep it from draining. Or they can just irritate your gallbladder. You might have pain, nausea, or vomiting.
The doctors think it is safe for you to go home. Your gallstones might go away on their own without treatment. Or you might need to have more tests or a procedure to remove the stones.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed.
●Write down what you eat to see if certain foods seem to make your symptoms worse.
●Try to eat 3 healthy, balanced meals each day. If possible, eat meals that are low in saturated fats and high in fiber and calcium.
●Try to keep a healthy body weight. If you plan to try to lose weight quickly, ask your doctor or nurse how to keep from getting gallstones. Losing weight quickly (for example, through weight loss surgery) can lead to gallstones. But your doctor or nurse can give you medicines to prevent this.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You get sudden or constant severe belly pain.
●Return to the ED if you:
•Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
•Get severe nausea and vomiting after eating
•Have trouble breathing
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your urine is tea-colored, your bowel movements are the color of clay, or your skin or eyes look yellow.
●You cannot eat without pain, nausea, or vomiting.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Gallstones (The Basics)
Patient education: Choosing surgery to treat gallstones (The Basics)
