What is the success rate of gallstones healing on their own?

The possibility of gallstones healing on their own is very low, and in most cases they cannot disappear on their own, but some small stones may be able to avoid worsening symptoms through lifestyle adjustments.

Gallstones are solid particles formed by abnormal precipitation of substances such as cholesterol, bile salts or bile pigments in bile. Once formed, these particles usually do not break down or be excreted on their own, especially larger stones that tend to exist for a long time. However, some asymptomatic gallstones (also known as "silent stones") may not cause obvious harm to the body, and may not even require special treatment throughout life. This is why some people believe that gallstones "can heal themselves."

If the gallstones are small and the symptoms are mild, the risk of the disease developing can be reduced by adjusting diet and lifestyle habits. For example, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding high-fat and high-cholesterol foods, and increasing dietary fiber intake can all help prevent the stones from further increasing or causing acute symptoms. However, existing stones cannot be eliminated by these methods alone. If the stones block the bile duct or cause inflammation, they may cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice and other symptoms, requiring timely intervention.

Asymptomatic gallstones can be observed regularly, but if the stones cause recurrent symptoms or complications (such as cholecystitis, pancreatitis), it is recommended to consult a doctor to assess whether surgical treatment (such as cholecystectomy) is needed. For situations where complications may occur, early medical treatment can avoid more serious consequences.