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Gallbladder Surgery for British patients
Gallbladder Stone and Polyp Removal — Without Losing Your Organ
Endoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery in China. For British patients whose doctor has recommended cholecystectomy — full removal of the organ.
- No visa required — tourist visas to China have been waived
- We help you find the best route despite the distance
- Free interpreter, personal support group, guide on request
- A modern method not available in the UK — keep your organ
Removing the gallbladder is not the only option
If an ultrasound has shown stones or polyps, your doctor has almost certainly recommended cholecystectomy — full removal of the gallbladder. In the UK this is the standard treatment, both on the NHS and in private clinics.
But the gallbladder is not just a reservoir. It regulates the flow of bile and plays a real role in digestion. After removal, many patients live with chronic diarrhoea, bloating and digestive problems. A removed organ cannot be restored.
We offer a different approach: an endoscopic procedure that removes the stones or polyps and leaves the gallbladder intact and working. EliGroup has been performing this technique since 2006.
What happens after the gallbladder is removed — and why it is worth trying to keep it
The gallbladder is not a redundant organ. It stores bile between meals and releases it in a measured dose at the moment you eat — exactly when it is needed to digest fats. Once the organ is removed, this mechanism stops working.
What changes permanently
After cholecystectomy, bile begins to flow into the intestine continuously — regardless of whether the person is eating or not. The intestine is not adapted to the constant presence of bile. In some patients this passes unnoticed. In others, it sets off a chain of disorders that stay with them for years.
| Chronic diarrhoea | Bile flowing continuously into the intestine irritates its walls and speeds up transit. Patients are forced to avoid fatty food, public places and travel because of the unpredictability of their bowel. |
| Bloating and gas | Impaired fat digestion leads to fermentation in the gut. Constant discomfort after eating and a feeling of heaviness — even after a light meal. |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | In some patients, removing the gallbladder triggers or worsens irritable bowel syndrome — a chronic condition that seriously reduces quality of life. |
| Impaired absorption of fat-soluble vitamins | Vitamins A, D, E and K are absorbed only with the help of bile. When its measured release is disrupted, a deficiency of these vitamins develops — with long-term consequences for bones, vision and immunity. |
| Bile reflux | Bile can flow back into the stomach, causing gastritis, heartburn and damage to the lining. This is a separate chronic condition that often begins specifically after cholecystectomy. |
| Increased risk of bowel cancer | A number of studies record a link between the constant flow of bile acids into the large intestine and an increased long-term risk of cancer of this organ. |
The key point: a removed gallbladder does not grow back. If complications begin after surgery, they can only be managed — the underlying cause cannot be removed. That is why, if there is even the slightest chance to preserve the organ, it is worth taking.
We do not claim that every case is suitable for our surgery. There are situations where removal is genuinely necessary. But in many cases — especially with stones and polyps without acute inflammation — preserving the gallbladder is possible. And the patient deserves to know this before surgery, not after.
Why this is accessible for patients from the UK
Visa waivers, help with your route and full support make China one of the most sensible options for British patients who want to keep their organ.
| Faster than the NHS queue | In England, more than 7 million people are on waiting lists for surgery, and only around 62% are treated within the 18-week referral-to-treatment standard. The wait for gallbladder removal on the NHS is typically 18–26 weeks or more, and with uncomplicated stones it can stretch beyond two years. Our patients typically complete surgery and return home within two weeks of first contact. |
| A price with no surprises | Private surgery in the UK costs roughly £5,000–£8,000, and the headline price often excludes consultations, diagnostics and the separate fees of the surgeon and anaesthetist. With us, a single fixed price covers everything: diagnostics, surgery, medications, the ward and transfers. Flights and the hotel are the only separate costs. |
| No visa needed | China has waived tourist visas — any traveller can enter the country on an ordinary passport (valid for more than 6 months) and visit a hospital the same day to see a doctor. No medical visa is required. No applications, no waiting. |
| We help with your route | Despite the long distance, we help you find the best flights for the most convenient route — direct flights from London and convenient connections from other UK cities. |
| No need to fear the unknown | Many people are unaware that Chinese medicine leads the West in a number of fields. Modern hospitals, world-class equipment, internationally experienced doctors. Gallbladder preservation is an example of a technology not yet available in the UK. Our team works with you at every step — you are never left alone with an unfamiliar system. |
| Full support | A free English-speaking interpreter at the hospital. A personal support group is created for you in a messenger app, where you can ask questions at any time. On request — a guide before and after hospitalisation to help you settle into the city. |
| With family or alone | If you wish, you can come with loved ones. One companion stays in the ward with the patient free of charge (a second bed is provided); other relatives can stay at a nearby hotel — we help with the booking. But many people come alone, and that is perfectly fine: if you travel on your own, our team provides all the support and care you need and advises you at every step. |
The lead surgeon and the procedure
Professor Qiao Tie — Lead Surgeon
- Lead surgeon for gallbladder-preserving procedures since 2006
- Patients from more than 30 countries
- Head of the Institute of Gallbladder Diseases, Ministry of Health, PRC
- Member of the Endoscopy Society, Chinese Medical Association
- Inventor of the endoscopic technology used in this surgery
- Holder of more than 900 national patents
EliGroup Medical Technologies
- A vertically integrated company — we develop and manufacture our own endoscopic equipment
- No intermediaries. A direct, fixed price
- 2022 — 4th-generation endoscopes
- 2023 — a unique microscope for bile and tissue analysis, reducing recurrence risk to a minimum
How the operation works
- On the morning of surgery (on an empty stomach) the patient is prepared for the procedure. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and takes about 60–90 minutes
- A high-definition endoscope — the patented EliGroup system — is inserted into the gallbladder
- Under direct visual control, the surgeon removes all stones and polyps — including those attached to or embedded in the wall, as well as stones in the duct if present
- The gallbladder is flushed, inspected from the inside, and left in the body — intact and working
- 6–8 hours after surgery the patient is allowed to stand up. From the next day, walking as much as possible is recommended
Free Pre-Assessment — Within 24 Hours
Tell us about your situation. We will let you know whether your case is suitable for gallbladder-preserving surgery and what to do next. No obligation.
Send an enquiry
How the hospital stay works — day by day
The full schedule from arrival to discharge.
| Day 1 |
Arrival. Our driver meets you at the airport and takes you to the hotel free of charge. Rest and acclimatise. |
| Day 2 |
We bring you to the hospital. Registration, blood tests, full pre-operative examination (ultrasound, ECG, CT scan, chest X-ray). Surgeon consultation with an English interpreter. Results within 2–3 hours. Surgery consent signed. No food after 10 pm. |
| Day 3 |
Surgery in the morning. Endoscopic gallbladder-preserving operation, general anaesthetic, 60–90 minutes. You wake up in a private room. 6–8 hours later you stand and walk. Your companion can stay in the ward free of charge. |
| Day 4 |
Recovery in hospital. IV drips, observation. From this day the patient can eat a full diet, walks actively and rests. The medical team checks on you daily. |
| Day 5 |
Discharge. Full discharge documentation for your GP. A one-month course of tablets to take home. A control ultrasound is recommended 3–4 weeks after completing the course. We take you to your hotel. |
After discharge the patient moves to the hotel and awaits the return flight. Accommodation and meals after discharge are at the patient's own expense.
Post-operative follow-up and support
Following up with your surgeon after the operation is extremely important. Our care does not end at discharge.
| Personal support group | A personal support group is created for every patient in a messenger app. You can ask questions and get answers from our team at any time — even after you return home. |
| Post-operative consultations | We stay in touch after surgery, advise on recovery, diet and medication, and help you interpret your control ultrasound results. |
| Prevention when needed | When needed, we give recommendations on preventing recurrence — based on ultrasound results and the course of your recovery. |
Included in the fixed price:
- ✔Private room for 4 nights — accompanying person stays free of charge (2 beds)
- ✔Full pre-operative examination
- ✔Surgery performed by Professor Qiao Tie
- ✔Use of patented EliGroup endoscopic equipment
- ✔All medications during surgery and the hospital stay
- ✔Daily check-ups by the attending physician and nursing care
- ✔A one-month course of tablets after surgery (to take home)
Provided free of charge:
Under the terms of the contract between EliGroup and the medical institution
- ★Special dietary meals for the patient, matched to the stage of recovery
- ★English-speaking interpreter at the hospital
- ★Personal support group in a messenger app (questions any time)
- ★Transfer airport → hotel → hospital → hotel
- ★Help finding flights and booking a hotel
Paid separately (not included in the price):
- ✖Companion's meals and food delivery from cafés (Mexican, Italian and other cuisines — on average within 30 minutes)
- ✖Flights
- ✖Hotel before and after the hospital stay
- ✖Travel insurance
To find out whether your case is suitable for gallbladder-preserving surgery, just write to us. Describe your situation: diagnosis, symptoms, when the stones or polyps were found. We will reply within 24 hours.