A recent x-ray, following lithotripsy for kidney stones shows surgical clips in upper right quadrant of the abdomen from an earlier surgery. should i be concerned? is this a common practice? thanks?

Metal surgical clips show up in X-ray and will not cause you any harm.

Changes described are postsurgical, location suggestive of gallbladder having been removed or other possible surgery in the mentioned area. Yes, description will include abnormal or unexpected findings in the report and that is common, you do not have to worry about, unless you have never had surgery as that might be somebody else’s report, rare but still possible.