Do gallstones go away on their own?

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Silent gallstones

Many people learn they have gallstones from a scan done for another reason. If you have never had symptoms, Dr. Tufts will usually recommend watching rather than operating, and knowing the warning signs.

Can a gallstone pass?

A small stone can sometimes pass out of the gallbladder into the bile duct and on into the intestine. That can ease an attack, but the gallbladder that formed the stone is still there, and stones in the bile duct can cause jaundice or pancreatitis. Passing one stone does not mean the problem is gone.

What about diet, cleanses or medicine?

Smaller, lower-fat meals may reduce attacks for some people, but they do not clear the stones. “Gallbladder flushes” are not proven to work. Medicine that slowly dissolves certain stones exists, but it works for few people, takes a long time, and stones often return when it is stopped.

When surgery makes sense

Surgery is usually recommended for gallstones that cause pain attacks, inflammation, pancreatitis or blockage of the bile duct. Gallbladder removal is one of the most common general surgery operations and is usually done through a few small incisions.

When to see a surgeon

• You have had more than one attack of upper-belly pain after eating
• You were told in the ER that you have gallstones or gallbladder inflammation
• You have had gallstone pancreatitis

Get urgent care: Go to the ER for severe pain lasting hours, fever or chills with belly pain, or jaundice.

Learn more: Gallbladder surgery in Port Charlotte

Talk with Dr. Tufts

Dr. Tufts is a minimally invasive and endoscopic general surgeon. To have your symptoms evaluated or talk through your options, call (941) 391-5102 to schedule a visit at Charlotte Harbor Surgical, 4245 Kings Hwy, Unit A, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. We see patients from Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port, Englewood, Cape Coral and North Fort Myers and across Southwest Florida.

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Matthew Tufts, MD, FACS, a board-certified minimally invasive and endoscopic general surgeon in Port Charlotte, FL. Last reviewed 2026-11-11.

This page is general information, not medical advice. Every patient is different. Dr. Tufts will review your history, exam and test results with you and explain the options, benefits and risks that apply to you.