Hispanics and northern Europeans are most likely to be at risk for gallstones and medical complications. African Americans are at lower risk.
Gallstones are most common among overweight, middle-aged women.
The elderly and men are more likely to experience more serious complications from gallstones. The gallbladder is a saclike structure located in the right upper portion of the abdomen, just below the bottom of the rib cage. Bile helps us digest mainly fats in our diet. Bile mixes with the recently consumed meal and causes the breakdown and absorption of the fatty components. The pancreas is an organ that lies just to the middle of the liver and gallbladder.