Private Gallbladder Ultrasound London: Gallstones, Right Side Pain, and What Your Scan Can Find

Gallstones are one of the most common digestive conditions in the Western world. They affect approximately 10–15% of adults, with many people carrying gallstones without realising it. For some, gallstones remain silent and never cause problems. For others, a single episode of biliary colic — sudden, severe pain under the right ribs, often after a rich meal — makes it immediately clear that something is wrong.

Ultrasound is the gold-standard investigation for gallstones. It detects them with a sensitivity exceeding 95%, making it more accurate than CT, MRI, or blood tests for this specific purpose. It is the first investigation every GP and gastroenterologist reaches for when gallstones are suspected.

At The Wellness London, your gallbladder ultrasound is performed by a GMC-registered doctor who can see the stones on screen, assess the gallbladder wall, check the bile ducts, and explain every finding during the scan. You leave with answers, not anxiety.

Right side pain or nausea after eating? Message us on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.

What a Gallbladder Ultrasound Assesses

Gallstones. Appearing as bright, echogenic foci within the gallbladder that cast acoustic shadows and move with changes in position. Stones can range from tiny (sand-like sludge) to several centimetres. Multiple stones are common.

Gallbladder wall. Normal gallbladder wall thickness is under 3mm. Wall thickening can indicate cholecystitis (inflammation/infection), chronic gallbladder disease, or other conditions. A thickened wall with surrounding fluid in the right clinical context suggests acute cholecystitis — a condition requiring urgent treatment.

Gallbladder polyps. Small growths projecting from the gallbladder wall. Most polyps are benign cholesterol polyps. Polyps larger than 10mm may require surgical evaluation due to a small risk of malignancy. Your doctor will measure any polyps and advise on follow-up.

Bile duct (common bile duct, CBD). The main duct draining bile from the gallbladder and liver into the duodenum. A dilated CBD (greater than 6mm, or 8mm post-cholecystectomy) may indicate a stone blocking the duct — a condition called choledocholithiasis, which can cause jaundice, cholangitis, and pancreatitis.

Biliary sludge. Fine particles and thick bile within the gallbladder. Sludge can indicate early gallstone formation or biliary stasis and may cause symptoms similar to gallstones.

Murphy's sign. During the ultrasound, the doctor may press the probe directly over the gallbladder while you inhale — a sharp increase in pain at this point (sonographic Murphy's sign) is a strong indicator of acute cholecystitis.

Symptoms That Suggest Gallstones

Biliary colic. The classic gallstone symptom: sudden onset of severe, steady pain in the right upper abdomen or epigastrium (upper central abdomen), often beginning after eating — particularly fatty, greasy, or heavy meals. The pain may radiate to the right shoulder blade or between the shoulder blades. Episodes typically last 30 minutes to several hours and then resolve. You may feel completely normal between episodes.

Nausea and vomiting. Frequently accompany biliary colic episodes.

Bloating and indigestion. Some patients describe chronic upper abdominal bloating, indigestion, and intolerance of fatty foods — though these symptoms are less specific to gallstones.

Jaundice. Yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes, pale stools, and dark urine — these suggest a gallstone has migrated into the common bile duct and is blocking bile flow. This requires urgent investigation.

Fever with right upper quadrant pain. Suggests acute cholecystitis or cholangitis — both require urgent medical attention.

Important: If you are experiencing severe right upper quadrant pain with fever, jaundice, or persistent vomiting, attend A&E rather than waiting for a scheduled scan. These may indicate complications requiring emergency treatment.

Experiencing gallstone symptoms? Book your scan on WhatsApp.

Gallbladder Scans at The Wellness London: Pricing

All prices include the doctor-performed scan, verbal debrief, and same-day written report.

Recommendation: If you are experiencing right upper quadrant pain, we often recommend the upper abdominal ultrasound (£225) rather than gallbladder-only, as it also checks the liver, pancreas, and kidneys — other structures that can cause pain in the same area.

What to Expect

Preparation: Fast for 6 hours. This is essential — eating causes the gallbladder to contract, making it smaller and harder to examine. Water is permitted.

Duration: 10–15 minutes for focused gallbladder; 20–30 minutes if combined with upper abdominal assessment.

The scan: You lie on your back. The doctor applies gel under the right ribcage. You may be asked to take deep breaths and hold briefly to bring the gallbladder into optimal view, and to turn onto your left side so any stones move position (proving they are mobile, not fixed polyps).

Results: Immediate verbal debrief. Written report same day.

Risk Factors for Gallstones

The traditional mnemonic is the "5 Fs" — though it is an oversimplification:

• Female — women are 2–3 times more likely to develop gallstones than men
• Forty — risk increases with age, particularly over 40
• Fertile — pregnancy increases gallstone risk (elevated oestrogen increases cholesterol secretion into bile)
• Fat — obesity and being overweight are significant risk factors
• Family — there is a genetic component to gallstone formation

Additional risk factors include rapid weight loss (crash dieting), diabetes, medications (particularly the oral contraceptive pill and hormone replacement therapy), and conditions causing chronic haemolysis (such as sickle cell disease).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can gallstones be dissolved without surgery? Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) can slowly dissolve small cholesterol gallstones, but this treatment takes months to years, has variable success, and gallstones often recur after stopping treatment. Surgical removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) remains the definitive treatment for symptomatic gallstones.

Is gallbladder removal a big operation? Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed operations in the UK. It is usually performed as a day-case procedure (home the same day) through small keyhole incisions. Recovery is typically 1–2 weeks.

Can I live without a gallbladder? Yes. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, but bile continues to be produced by the liver and drains directly into the intestine after cholecystectomy. Most people notice no significant change in digestion after surgery.

Do I need a referral? No. Book directly at The Wellness.

Book Your Gallbladder Ultrasound

📱 Book via WhatsApp

📧 Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com

🌐 Book online: thewellnesslondon.com/ultrasound

This article was reviewed by the clinical team at The Wellness London. All scans are performed by GMC-registered doctors. Last updated March 2026.

Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing severe right upper quadrant pain with fever, jaundice, or persistent vomiting, attend A&E urgently.