Singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh has revealed that he has been living with an 11-12 mm gallbladder stone since 2015, bringing attention to a common yet often misunderstood health condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
In a recent interview, Dosanjh shared that the stone was discovered after he sought medical attention for mild stomach pain. Although doctors initially recommended surgery, he chose not to undergo the procedure after receiving advice that surgery might not be necessary if the stone remained symptom-free.
The actor also disclosed that he kept the diagnosis private for years, even from family members and close friends, and continues to carry medication while travelling as a precaution.
His experience has sparked wider discussions about whether gallstones can safely be left untreated and when medical intervention becomes necessary.
What Exactly Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver. The gallbladder stores bile, a digestive fluid that helps the body break down fats.
Most gallstones are composed of cholesterol, while others develop from excess bilirubin, a substance produced during the breakdown of red blood cells.
These stones can vary dramatically in size. Some are as small as grains of sand, while others can grow several centimetres in diameter. A person may develop a single stone or multiple stones over time.
In many cases, gallstones are discovered accidentally during scans performed for unrelated medical reasons.
Why Do Gallstones Develop?
Gallstones form when the balance of substances within bile becomes disrupted.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing gallstones, including:
- Obesity or excess body weight
- Rapid weight loss
- High-fat or high-cholesterol diets
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Family history of gallstones
- Increasing age
- Certain liver conditions
- Prolonged fasting
Medical experts note that gallstones are particularly common among older adults and individuals with metabolic health conditions.
Why Some Gallstones Remain Silent for Years
One of the reasons gallstones often go unnoticed is that many never cause symptoms.
These are known as “silent gallstones” and may remain harmless for years or even decades. In such cases, doctors often recommend monitoring rather than immediate surgery.
This appears similar to the situation described by Dosanjh, who has reportedly lived with the condition for nearly a decade.
However, specialists caution that a symptom-free period does not guarantee future safety.
A stone can suddenly shift position and block one of the ducts that carry bile from the gallbladder, triggering serious complications.
Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored
When gallstones begin causing problems, symptoms often appear suddenly.
Common warning signs include:
- Severe pain in the upper right abdomen
- Pain after eating fatty foods
- Pain radiating to the back or right shoulder
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating or indigestion
- Fever and chills
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine or pale-coloured stools
The most characteristic symptom is biliary colic, a sudden episode of intense abdominal pain that can last for several hours.
Can You Live With Gallstones Without Surgery?
In many cases, yes.
International treatment guidelines generally do not recommend surgery for asymptomatic gallstones that are discovered incidentally and are not causing complications.
Doctors may instead monitor the condition through periodic evaluation and advise patients about symptoms that require urgent attention.
However, once gallstones begin causing recurrent pain, infections, or obstruction, surgery typically becomes the preferred treatment.
The decision depends on factors such as:
- Size of the stone
- Location of the stone
- Patient age and overall health
- Presence of symptoms
- Risk of complications
Medical experts stress that treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.
The Serious Complications Doctors Worry About
The greatest risk associated with untreated gallstones is not the stone itself but the complications that can arise if it blocks the flow of bile.
Acute Cholecystitis
A blocked gallbladder can become inflamed and infected, causing severe pain, fever, and abdominal tenderness.
Jaundice
If a stone obstructs the common bile duct, bile may accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Acute Pancreatitis
One of the most serious complications occurs when a gallstone blocks the pancreatic duct, triggering inflammation of the pancreas.
Gallstone-related pancreatitis can become life-threatening and often requires hospitalization.
Cholangitis
An infection within the bile ducts can rapidly progress and become a medical emergency if left untreated.
How Gallstones Are Diagnosed
Doctors typically diagnose gallstones using imaging tests.
Common investigations include:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Liver function blood tests
- Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Ultrasound remains the most widely used diagnostic tool because it is quick, non-invasive, and highly effective at detecting gallstones.
Treatment Options Available Today
Observation
Many patients with silent gallstones require no immediate intervention and are managed through observation and follow-up.
Medication
Certain medications can dissolve cholesterol-based gallstones, but they are generally reserved for carefully selected patients and may require long treatment periods.
Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
The standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder.
Most patients recover quickly and return to normal activities within a short period.
Importantly, people can live healthy lives without a gallbladder because bile continues to flow directly from the liver into the small intestine.
Can Gallstones Be Prevented?
Although not all gallstones can be prevented, doctors recommend several measures that may reduce risk:
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Avoid extreme crash diets
- Lose weight gradually
- Eat a fibre-rich diet
- Limit saturated fats
- Exercise regularly
- Manage diabetes effectively
These lifestyle habits can help reduce many of the factors linked to gallstone formation.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Immediate medical care is recommended if abdominal pain is accompanied by:
- Fever
- Persistent vomiting
- Jaundice
- Severe pain lasting several hours
- Dizziness, fainting, or confusion
These symptoms may indicate a blocked bile duct, infection, or pancreatitis and require urgent evaluation.
A Reminder That “Silent” Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
Diljit Dosanjh’s disclosure offers an important reminder that gallstones are common and do not always require surgery. Many people live for years without experiencing symptoms.
At the same time, medical experts emphasize that gallstones should never be ignored simply because they are not currently causing problems.
Regular medical follow-up, awareness of warning signs, and timely treatment when symptoms develop remain the most effective ways to prevent serious complications and protect long-term health.
