Do I need surgery if I have multiple gallstones and no symptoms?

If multiple gallstones have no obvious symptoms, surgery is usually not needed immediately. Asymptomatic gallstones are medically known as "quiescent" gallstones, which do not cause problems in most cases, so their changes can be observed through regular examinations to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention.

Gallstones are solid particles that form in the gallbladder and may be formed by the deposition of cholesterol, bile salts, and other substances. These stones may remain in the gallbladder for many years without causing any discomfort or symptoms. In this case, many people do not even know they have gallstones without systematic examination. Compared with single stones, multiple gallstones mean that there are multiple stones in the gallbladder, but their presence does not necessarily indicate a serious health problem.

However, in some cases, gallstones may cause some hidden problems, such as cholecystitis, bile duct obstruction or pancreatitis. If the gallstones move, they may cause blockage of the bile duct, leading to inflammation of the gallbladder or bile duct and severe abdominal pain, accompanied by nausea and vomiting and other uncomfortable symptoms. At this time, you need to be more vigilant.

For people with multiple gallstones but no symptoms, it is recommended to: undergo regular ultrasound examinations to monitor changes in the gallbladder and stones; maintain a healthy diet, avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol foods, and increase fiber intake; pay attention to maintaining a normal weight, avoid rapid weight loss or drastic weight fluctuations, which may lead to cholesterol metabolism disorders and increase the risk of stone formation. If symptoms occur in the future, such as persistent pain in the right upper abdomen or jaundice, you need to seek medical attention in time and consider further treatment options. Paying more attention to your physical condition and making more adjustments in your daily diet can effectively reduce the discomfort caused by gallstones. Remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to preventing the symptoms of gallstones from worsening.