Best General Surgeons for Gallstones And Gallbladder Disease in Chennai, India
This page lists 3 gallstones and gallbladder disease doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.
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This page lists 3 gallstones and gallbladder disease doctors in Chennai, India. Review each doctor's experience, specialty and hospital, then contact our care team for help with the next step.
About Gallstones and gallbladder disease doctors in Chennai, India
This directory is based on doctors currently listed in GAF Healthcare's registry. Clinical suitability varies by patient; a doctor should review your history and investigations before any treatment decision.
About the Condition
What is Gallstones and gallbladder disease?
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile used in digestion. They range from tiny crystals to stones several centimetres across, and their impact on health varies widely — many people carry them without symptoms for years, while others experience acute or recurring pain, infection, or serious complications such as pancreatitis, bile duct obstruction, or gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). Risk factors include female sex, older age, obesity, rapid weight loss, a diet high in refined carbohydrates and fats, pregnancy, certain medications, and a family history of gallstones. A thorough assessment of medical history, symptoms, and targeted investigations is needed before any management path is recommended.
Individual assessmentEvery case is different
Complete evaluationUnderstand the condition first
Specialist reviewChoose the right approach
Medical assessment helps clarify severity and identify appropriate options.
Treatment options for Gallstones and gallbladder disease
Care may include lifestyle changes, medical treatment, specialist review or a procedure, depending on the diagnosis, associated conditions and individual goals. The options below are associated with this condition in the GAF Healthcare directory.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a diseased gallbladder, most commonly performed for symptomatic gallstones, cholecystitis, or biliary colic.
Why it may be consideredUsing small incisions and a camera-guided technique, surgeons remove the gallbladder with less pain, minimal scarring, and faster recovery than traditional open surgery. It is one of the most frequently performed general surgeries worldwide and is considered safe and highly effective.
Open cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder through a single larger incision in the upper right abdomen, typically performed when gallstones or gallbladder disease cause severe pain, infection, or inflammation.
Why it may be consideredIt is usually recommended when laparoscopic surgery is not suitable due to complications such as severe scarring, dense adhesions, bleeding disorders, or acute complicated cholecystitis. The procedure provides direct access to the gallbladder and surrounding structures, allowing the surgeon to manage complex anatomy safely.
MS – Master of Surgery, FMAS – Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, DMAS – Diploma in Minimal Access Surgery, FICRS – Fellowship, International College of Robotic Surgeons
Consultant – Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon, General Surgery · Specialty: Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon
Rela Hospital Chennai, India15+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
15+ years of experience in Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon
Currently serving as Consultant – Laparoscopic & Robotic Hernia Surgeon at Rela Hospital, Chennai, across Surgical Gastroenterology, General Surgery, and Evening Clinic departments.
Received advanced robotic surgery training under Prof. Dr. Mohamed Rela, a globally renowned pioneer in HPB and robotic surgery.
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DAIS (Diploma, Association of Surgeons), FICS (Fellow, International College of Surgeons), FIMSA (Fellow, Indian Medical Society), FMAS (Fellow, Minimal Access Surgery), FIAGES (Fellow, Indian Association of Gastrointestinal Endosurgeons)
Consultant, General Surgery · Specialty: General Surgeon
Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road Chennai, India30+ Years experience
Why consider this doctor?
30+ years of experience in General Surgeon
Currently practising as Consultant General Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai.
Has spent the majority of a 30+ year surgical career managing complex abdominal, hernia, and anorectal cases in tertiary care settings.
NABH — National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers accreditationNABL — National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation
General SurgeryCardiac SurgeryCardiologyMedical Oncology
Many international patients consider India for gallstones and gallbladder disease treatment for several reasons, including:
More affordable estimates
Competitive indicative costs compared with many other countries, for similar clinical standards.
Internationally accredited hospitals
Hospitals experienced in treating international patients.
Experienced specialists
Doctors who regularly manage similar cases.
Care coordination support
A team to help with planning, medical translation and follow-up.
How this directory is built
Doctors are matched using the specialty, location, condition (Gallstones and gallbladder disease) recorded in their profiles. Inclusion is not an endorsement and does not guarantee a treatment outcome.
Need help with the next step?
Share your needs with our care coordination team for information about doctors and hospitals.
Common questions
FAQs about Gallstones and gallbladder disease in Chennai, India
What is Gallstones and gallbladder disease?
Gallstones and gallbladder disease refer to conditions in which solid deposits form within the gallbladder or its drainage ducts, or in which the gallbladder becomes inflamed, poorly functioning, or obstructed. The term covers a spectrum from asymptomatic stones to acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis (stones in the bile duct), and related biliary complications.
What are the symptoms and health risks of Gallstones and gallbladder disease?
The most recognised symptom is biliary colic — a cramping or intense pressure pain in the upper right abdomen or centre of the chest, often occurring after a fatty meal and sometimes radiating to the right shoulder or back; nausea and vomiting are common alongside it. More serious presentations include persistent pain, fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), dark urine, or pale stools, which may signal infection or bile duct involvement and warrant prompt medical attention. These symptoms can overlap with other digestive and liver conditions, so symptom pattern alone is not sufficient to reach a diagnosis — clinical evaluation and investigations are essential.
How is Gallstones and gallbladder disease diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically begins with a clinical history and physical examination, followed by abdominal ultrasound, which is the first-line imaging investigation and is highly accurate for detecting gallstones and signs of cholecystitis. If bile duct stones or complications are suspected, additional investigations such as liver function blood tests, MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic ultrasound, or CT scanning may be arranged to map the biliary system more precisely. The overall clinical picture — including symptom frequency, severity, complications present, and the patient's general health — guides how urgently and in what way treatment should be considered.
How is Gallstones and gallbladder disease treated?
Management depends on whether stones are symptomatic, the presence and severity of any complications, and the individual's overall health and fitness. Options range from watchful waiting and dietary modification for incidentally discovered, truly asymptomatic stones, to endoscopic procedures such as ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) for bile duct clearance, through to surgical removal of the gallbladder — cholecystectomy — for recurrent or complicated disease. The appropriate approach is determined through individual assessment by a qualified clinician, and no single pathway suits every patient.
Can Gallstones and gallbladder disease be treated without surgery?
For patients with asymptomatic gallstones and no complications, an observational approach with dietary advice — reducing high-fat meals and maintaining a stable, healthy weight — is often reasonable. Oral dissolution therapy using ursodeoxycholic acid can slowly dissolve certain cholesterol stones in selected patients who are not surgical candidates, though recurrence after stopping treatment is common and this option is considered infrequently in modern practice. Endoscopic techniques such as ERCP are used non-surgically to remove stones from the bile duct, and are an important part of managing choledocholithiasis without removing the gallbladder itself.
When is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal) considered for Gallstones and gallbladder disease?
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal) may be considered when conservative or medical options have not achieved enough improvement, or when the severity of the condition warrants it. The decision depends on clinical assessment, expected benefits and individual risks.
Which doctor treats Gallstones and gallbladder disease?
Gallstones and gallbladder disease are typically evaluated and managed by a general surgeon with experience in hepatobiliary and laparoscopic surgery, often working alongside a gastroenterologist — particularly when bile duct involvement, endoscopic treatment, or complex diagnostic work-up is required. In centres with dedicated units, a hepatobiliary surgeon or a multidisciplinary biliary team may coordinate care.
How do I choose a doctor for Gallstones and gallbladder disease?
When comparing providers, look for a surgeon with documented experience in both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, clear protocols for managing complications such as bile duct injury, and access to interventional endoscopy (ERCP) within the same facility or network. Ask about expected hospital stay, follow-up arrangements, and how urgent re-presentations would be handled, as these factors affect both safety and recovery.
What documents do international patients need to share for a medical evaluation?
Share a medical summary, investigation and imaging or biopsy reports where relevant, a current medication list, previous diagnoses and related treatment records. Provide clear copies with translation where needed.
How does GAF Healthcare help international patients plan treatment in India?
Our care coordination team helps review initial medical information, connect you with suitable doctors and hospitals, explain next steps and indicative estimates, and organise a treatment plan before travel.
