Any number or size of stones can cause pain. Even one small stone may be quite dangerous because it can travel along the bile ducts. Once the balance between the substances in your bile is changed, crystals will form and stones will grow whenever the bile is stored in the gallbladder. If all stones were removed, but the gallbladder left, new stones will begin to form. Therefore treatments which get rid of stones only are temporary.
Successful treatment requires removal of the gallbladder along with the stones.
Stones can be crushed with shock waves, administered by laser or ultrasound, melted with drugs, or removed surgically. Surgery is the best choice for most people. Drug treatment is very useful if you are seriously ill and the risk of surgery is too high. Making them smaller as they melt risks having them travel in the bile ducts to cause greater trouble. Because stones will continue to form in the gallbladder, in order to remain stone free, drugs must be maintained for life.