Gallstone creation in bile duct?

  Hello.  I am f/28/130 lbs.  
  I had my gallbladder removed 6 months ago due to multiple stones and sludge.  
  If stones can develope in the gallbladder, could they also develope in the bile ducts over time?  Also how long does it take for a stone to form to the size of a corn nibblet?
  Thanks.
  Debbie.
Dear Debbie,
Bile duct stones are found in approximately 2 to 5 percent of patients at or following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). Some studies which performed common bile duct exploration at surgery report an incidence of bile duct stones to be as high as 15 percent.
It is hard to give an exact time frame for how long it takes a gallstone to grow to a particular size. The growth of gallstones may occur by the deposition of crystals and insoluble precipitates and by the fusion of smaller crystals and stones to form larger masses. The deposition process is slow but the fusion process may rapidly lead to the formation of large stones. The degree to which each process occurs varies among different individuals. Another important factor in the development of gallstones is gallbladder motility. If gallbladder emptying is slow, this will allow for more precipitation and crystal formation. Rapid development of gallstones has been seen in obese patients, patients who lose weight rapidly and in patients on total parenteral nutrition (intravenous nutrition). I hope you find this information helpful.
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