Surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is the treatment of choice for gallstones that cause moderate to severe pain or other symptoms. Symptoms usually do not return after the gallbladder has been removed. In a small number of cases, surgery may be done to prevent complications of gallstones.

Laparoscopic surgery is often the best method to remove the gallbladder. Open gallbladder surgery requires a longer recovery period and causes more pain.

See more information about when surgery is needed for:

• Gallstones that do not cause symptoms.
• Gallstones that cause symptoms.

Should I have surgery to treat gallstone attacks?

Surgery Choices

Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is the most common surgery done to remove the gallbladder. In this type of surgery, a doctor inserts a lighted viewing instrument called a laparoscope and surgical tools into your abdomen through several small cuts (incisions). This type of surgery is very safe, and people who have it usually recover enough in about one week to go back to work or to their normal routines.

Open gallbladder surgery involves one larger incision through which the gallbladder is removed. It may be done if laparoscopic surgery is not an option or when complications are found during laparoscopic surgery. Most open surgeries occur after trying to do a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Open surgery also may be the best choice if the blood won't clot well, the anatomy is not normal, or there is too much scarring from previous surgery.

About 15% of people who have symptoms from gallstones also have gallstones in the common bile duct. ¹ Common bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis) can cause life-threatening complications, so they may need to be removed if they are discovered during surgery to remove your gallbladder.

What To Think About

Recovery is much faster and less painful after laparoscopic surgery than after open surgery.

• The hospital stay after laparoscopic surgery is shorter than after open surgery. In general people go home the same day or the next day compared with 2 to 4 days for open surgery.
• Recovery is faster after laparoscopic surgery.
• You will spend less time away from work and other activities after laparoscopic surgery (about a week to 10 days compared with 4 to 6 weeks for open surgery).