Lupus and Gallbladder Issues: Causes, Surgery, and More

Medically reviewed by Florentina Negoi, M.D.

Written by Scarlett Bergam, M.P.H.

Updated on October 2, 2026

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Key Takeaways

Gallbladder problems are fairly common and can sometimes overlap with lupus, though they are not among the most typical complications of the condition.
People with lupus who have gallbladder issues may need surgery to remove the gallbladder, and having lupus can make the process more complex due to factors like infection risk, blood clotting concerns, and the possibility of triggering a flare. Medications like steroids should never be stopped on your own before or after surgery, as changes to these treatments need to be carefully managed with guidance from a doctor.
If you have lupus and are facing gallbladder surgery, it is important to make sure your full care team knows about your lupus and all medications you take, and to stay in close contact with both your surgeon and your rheumatologist throughout the process.

View all takeaways

Your gallbladder is a small organ in the abdomen that stores bile. Bile is important for digestion. Gallbladder problems are fairly common among the general population and aren’t usually caused specifically by lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE).

Gallbladder problems aren’t always serious, but sometimes the best course of action is surgery to remove the gallbladder. While these procedures are often noninvasive, lupus can make even minor surgeries more complicated.

This article covers how lupus and gallbladder issues may overlap, when gallbladder removal may be discussed as an option, and what to ask your healthcare team.

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Currently considering or planning a gallbladder surgery

Lupus and Gallbladder Issues

The gallbladder is a small organ in the upper right part of the abdomen that stores bile, a fluid that helps your body digest fats. The gallbladder is prone to developing stones, inflammation and infection, complications that may require its removal in people with and without lupus.

Lupus can have a widespread impact on the digestive system, though gallbladder problems are not as common as other gastrointestinal complications.

One member explained their history of gallbladder disease and lupus: “Over many years, my gallbladder would give me severe pain, but they couldn’t find stones. Eventually, my gallbladder became infected and had to be removed. After I was diagnosed with lupus, my doctors believed my problems were autoimmune all along.”

The member may have experienced something called acute acalculous cholecystitis, which means sudden gallbladder inflammation without gallstones. This is a rare lupus complication.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Gallbladder Problems

Gallbladder problems can cause symptoms such as:

Pain in the upper right abdominal area, below the rib cage
Nausea or vomiting
Fever or chills
Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
Dark urine or light-colored stool
Indigestion or digestive symptoms

If you experience these symptoms, consult with your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. During the physical examination, your doctor will assess your pain and ask questions about your medical history.

Imaging tests may include ultrasound, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or other tests. Blood tests can show signs of inflammation, infection, jaundice, a bile duct blockage, or liver stress.

Severe Gallbladder Problems May Require Surgery

Depending on the severity of your gallbladder problems, your doctor may recommend removing your gallbladder. This procedure is called cholecystectomy.

Gallbladder issues that may be treated with removal include:

Gallstones that cause disruptive symptoms or complications
Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
Cancer

If surgery isn’t safe for you, your provider may recommend draining the gallbladder (cholecystostomy) as an alternate option for gallstones.

Lupus-associated acute acalculous cholecystitis is not always treated with surgery. Sometimes immunosuppressive treatment can help avoid cholecystectomy.

No matter what, prompt treatment is important. Some gallbladder problems can cause serious complications. Your healthcare provider will determine whether surgery, medication, drainage, or another treatment is the most appropriate option for you.

Lupus and Gallbladder Removal: What To Know

If you’ve been told that you need gallbladder surgery, be sure to let your surgeon know about your lupus right away. It’s also important to tell your rheumatologist about your gallbladder disease and need for surgery.

There Are Less and More Invasive Gallbladder Removal Procedures

The most common type of gallbladder surgery is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon uses several small incisions, a tiny camera, and special tools to remove the gallbladder. People can often go home the same day.

An open cholecystectomy is a more invasive procedure. It requires a larger incision and usually involves a longer hospital stay and recovery.

Even if you undergo a laparoscopy, it’s a good idea to pack toiletries and a change of clothes in case you develop complications and are hospitalized. For both procedures, you should arrange for a family member or friend to help you get home from the hospital.

You May Need To Adjust Medication Before Surgery

When preparing for your procedure, follow your surgeon’s instructions closely. For example, they may ask you not to eat before surgery and may tell you which medicines or supplements to continue, change, or pause.

Do not stop steroids like prednisone or other lupus medicines such as biologics or immunosuppressants on your own. It’s especially important not to stop steroid medications without consulting your doctor. Stopping steroids before surgery is a general recommendation, but it may be better for people with lupus to lower their dose rather than fully stop the medication.

To avoid side effects, a steroid treatment needs to be stopped by gradually lowering the dose as recommended by your doctor. The same recommendations also apply after surgery: treatment should be continued only when instructed by your doctor.

Your Surgical Team Will Consider Lupus-Related Risks

Like any surgical procedure, gallbladder surgery comes with certain risks, including:

Bleeding
Infection
Injury to nearby body structures, such as the bile duct, liver, or small intestine
Risks of general anesthesia, such as blood clots and pneumonia

Having lupus requires additional considerations regarding procedures like gallbladder surgery. For example, surgery planning may need to account for organ involvement, infection risk, wound-healing concerns, platelet count, and blood clotting problems.

Lupus is also associated with a higher likelihood of antiphospholipid antibodies and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). APS is an autoimmune disorder which can lead to dangerous blood clots.

Make sure your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and nurses are aware of your lupus and any other health conditions and all medications and supplements you take. Your surgical care team should consult your rheumatologist before your surgery to help you avoid complications.

You Could Have a Lupus Flare After Gallbladder Surgery

Surgery may trigger a lupus flare or cause complications if you undergo surgery when your lupus isn’t under control. For example, physical stress from surgery and changes in medication can trigger lupus flares.

Make sure to closely monitor your symptoms and report any significant changes to your healthcare provider.

Never hesitate to ask your medical team questions about your care. “Ask about downtime, pain control, and long-term expectations from surgery,” one MyLupusTeam member encouraged.

Staying on top of postoperative care can help you recover after gallbladder surgery and may help you avoid flares or complications. Your plan may focus on: