Mr Simon Wood provides specialist assessment and private laparoscopic gallbladder surgery at St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport.
He treats patients with straightforward and complex gallstone disease from Cardiff, Newport and across South Wales, as well as Bristol and elsewhere in the UK.
More than 1,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed.
When should I see a gallbladder specialist?
You may benefit from specialist assessment if you have:
- Recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, beneath the right ribs or in the right flank / back
- Pain after eating, particularly after fatty meals
- Nausea or vomiting associated with abdominal pain
- Gallstones identified on an ultrasound or another scan
- A gallbladder polyp identified on imaging
- Symptoms that may be related to gallbladder dysfunction
- Previous acute cholecystitis or gallbladder inflammation
- Gallstone pancreatitis
- Jaundice or suspected stones in the bile duct
- Persistent symptoms despite changing your diet
- Gallstone symptoms developing during or after significant weight loss
- Gallstones associated with medicines such as Mounjaro or other GLP-1 treatments
- Been advised to consider gallbladder removal and would like a specialist opinion
Gallstones found incidentally do not always require treatment. The decision depends on your symptoms, test results, previous complications and general health. Gallbladder polyps and suspected gallbladder dysfunction may also require individual specialist assessment.
Why choose Mr Simon Wood for gallbladder surgery?
Mr Simon Wood is a Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon with particular expertise in gallstones and gallbladder disease.
He has:
- Performed more than 1,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies
- Extensive experience treating both straightforward and complex gallstone disease
- Particular experience with symptomatic gallstones occurring during or after GLP-1 weight-loss medicines
- Been highly rated by patients, who frequently comment on his clear explanations, reassuring manner and attentive care
- Specialist training in General and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Completed a Senior Fellowship in Upper GI Surgery in Adelaide, Australia
- Gained a Master’s degree in Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Surgical leadership experience as National Clinical Lead for General Surgery in Wales and previously Clinical Director for General Surgery
- Worked as a Course Director teaching laparoscopic surgical skills at the Royal College of Surgeons of England
What happens during the initial consultation?
Your consultation will include a detailed review of:
- Your symptoms and how they affect you
- Previous episodes of pain, inflammation, jaundice or pancreatitis
- Your medical history and previous abdominal surgery
- Ultrasound, MRI, CT or other imaging results
- Blood-test results
- Any factors that could affect surgery or anaesthesia
- The benefits and risks of treatment
- Alternatives to surgery where appropriate
Many patients have already undergone an ultrasound scan and blood tests before their consultation. Further investigations are only recommended when clinically necessary.
A GP referral is helpful but is not always essential for a self-pay appointment. Please bring or arrange access to any previous clinic letters, scan reports and blood-test results.
When is gallbladder removal recommended?
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal is commonly considered when gallstones are causing symptoms or have resulted in complications.
Reasons for recommending surgery may include:
- Recurrent biliary colic
- Acute or repeated gallbladder inflammation
- Gallstone pancreatitis
- Gallstones causing jaundice
- Stones within the common bile duct
- Gallbladder symptoms that significantly affect eating, work, sleep or normal activities
- Gallbladder polyps, depending on their size, growth and other risk factors
- Suspected gallbladder dysfunction when symptoms and investigations support surgery
Gallstones that are not causing symptoms can often be observed without surgery. However, symptoms such as biliary pain frequently recur once they have started.
Your individual balance of benefits and risks will be discussed before any treatment is arranged.
What does laparoscopic gallbladder surgery involve?
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an operation to remove the gallbladder through several small abdominal incisions. It is performed under general anaesthesia and commonly takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes, although complex operations may take longer.
During the operation, the gallbladder is separated from the bile duct, blood supply and liver before being removed through one of the small incisions.
Additional procedures may occasionally be needed if there is significant inflammation or if stones are suspected within the bile duct. These possibilities will be discussed where relevant.
Most operations are completed laparoscopically and are planned as day-case procedures. Occasionally, an overnight stay or conversion to open surgery may be required for safety.
Straightforward and complex gallstone disease
Not every gallbladder operation is the same.
Some patients have uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones, while others may have:
- Previous severe or repeated cholecystitis
- A contracted or heavily scarred gallbladder
- Gallstone pancreatitis
- Stones in the common bile duct
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Significant medical or anaesthetic considerations
- Unusual gallbladder or bile-duct anatomy
- Gallbladder polyps requiring assessment alongside other gallbladder findings
Complex gallstone disease may require additional imaging, endoscopic treatment of the bile duct or a modified surgical approach.
Mr Wood has extensive experience assessing and operating on both straightforward and complex gallstone disease. Your investigations will be reviewed carefully and the anticipated procedure explained before surgery.
Gallstones and Mounjaro or other GLP-1 medicines
Gallstones may develop during or after significant weight loss, including in some people taking GLP-1 medicines such as Mounjaro.
Symptoms can include pain beneath the right ribs or in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting or pain after eating. Gallstones can also occasionally cause gallbladder inflammation, jaundice or pancreatitis.
If you are considering starting Mounjaro or another GLP-1 weight-loss treatment and already have symptomatic gallstones or gallbladder disease, your clinician may recommend that the gallstones are assessed and, where appropriate, treated before weight-loss treatment begins. In some cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be recommended first to reduce the risk of gallbladder complications during subsequent weight loss.
Developing gallstones does not automatically mean that your weight-loss treatment must be permanently stopped. The medicine, your symptoms and the timing of any surgery should be considered individually with the clinicians responsible for your care.
Mr Wood has particular experience assessing patients who develop symptomatic gallstones during or after GLP-1 treatment, as well as patients who require gallbladder assessment before starting weight-loss medication.
Recovery after gallbladder removal
Most patients are able to go home on the day of surgery, provided their recovery is satisfactory and there are no clinical reasons for an overnight stay.
After surgery:
- You will need someone to take you home and remain with you initially
- Some abdominal and shoulder discomfort is common during the early recovery period
- Gentle walking is encouraged
- Most patients gradually return to their usual diet
- Driving should wait until you can safely control the vehicle and perform an emergency stop
- Return to work depends on your recovery and the physical demands of your occupation
- Heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be resumed gradually
Recovery varies between individuals. You will receive advice tailored to your operation, health and usual activities.
Mr Wood’s patients frequently report a rapid recovery with relatively little need for pain medication, although individual experiences cannot be guaranteed.
Self-pay and insured gallbladder treatment
Private consultations and gallbladder surgery are available to both self-paying and privately insured patients.
Self-pay patients do not need private medical insurance. The initial consultation currently costs £185. Private laparoscopic gallbladder surgery at St Joseph’s Hospital currently costs from approximately £6,935, excluding the initial consultation.
This is an indicative starting cost rather than a guaranteed fixed price. The final amount can vary according to hospital charges, investigations and individual clinical requirements.
If you have private medical insurance, you should contact your insurer before consultation or treatment to confirm your cover, authorisation requirements, policy excess and any applicable fee limits.
View private gallbladder surgery costs and insurance information
Frequently asked questions
Where does Mr Wood provide private gallbladder surgery?
Private consultations and operations are provided at St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport. Mr Wood sees patients from Cardiff, Newport, across South Wales, Bristol and elsewhere in the UK.
Do I need a GP referral?
A GP referral is helpful but is not always required for a self-pay consultation. Private medical insurers may require a referral or prior authorisation.
Do all gallstones require surgery?
No. Gallstones that are not causing symptoms often require no treatment. Surgery is usually considered when gallstones cause pain, inflammation or other complications.
Do gallbladder polyps require surgery?
Not always. Management depends on factors such as the polyp’s size, appearance, growth and your individual risk factors.
What is gallbladder dysfunction?
Gallbladder dysfunction refers to poor or abnormal gallbladder emptying, which may cause symptoms even when gallstones are not present.
Should gallstones be treated before starting Mounjaro or another GLP-1 medicine?
Not necessarily. However, if you have symptomatic gallstones, previous gallbladder complications or other significant gallbladder disease, your clinician may recommend specialist assessment and, in some cases, cholecystectomy before starting weight-loss treatment.
Is gallbladder removal usually a day-case operation?
Yes. Most planned laparoscopic cholecystectomies are intended as day-case procedures. An overnight stay may occasionally be recommended or become necessary.
Can I live normally without a gallbladder?
Yes. The gallbladder stores bile but is not essential. Most people return to a normal diet and normal activities after recovery.
Can gallstones return after the gallbladder is removed?
Gallstones cannot reform within a gallbladder that has been removed. Stones can rarely remain or subsequently develop within the bile ducts.
Can I arrange a private consultation while on an NHS waiting list?
Yes. You can request a private specialist opinion even if you have already been assessed or placed on an NHS waiting list. Bring any available clinic letters, blood results and imaging reports.
How much does private gallbladder surgery cost?
The initial consultation currently costs £185. The usual planned day-case surgery pathway currently starts from approximately £6,935, although the eventual cost depends on your individual requirements and applicable hospital charges.
Arrange a private gallbladder consultation
If you have symptomatic gallstones, recurrent gallbladder pain, a gallbladder polyp or have been advised to consider gallbladder removal, you can arrange a private consultation with Mr Simon Wood at St Joseph’s Hospital in Newport.
Your consultation will provide an opportunity to review your investigations, establish whether surgery is appropriate and discuss the expected treatment, recovery and costs. This may be particularly helpful if you are considering starting Mounjaro or another GLP-1 medicine and have known or suspected gallbladder disease.
Initial consultation: £185