Lithotripsy is a way to try to remove gallstones without surgery. There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your doctor. A local anesthesia may not numb the area quite enough and you may feel some minor discomfort. Also, in rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction to the drug used in this type of anesthesia.
Local anesthesia is considered safer than general anesthesia.
You may have the same pain as before this treatment as the pieces of stone pass out of your gallbladder. Some of the crushed gallstone could irritate your gallbladder or bile ducts. If your bile duct becomes blocked, your pancreas could become inflamed, causing abdominal pain and nausea. In the future more gallstones may form in your gallbladder. You should ask your doctor how these risks apply to you.