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Gallbladder removal, medically known as a cholecystectomy, is an operation to remove the gallbladder — a small organ in the upper right part of the tummy that stores bile, a fluid made by the liver that helps digest food, particularly fats.
The gallbladder isn't essential for everyday life — after it's removed, bile simply flows directly from the liver into the intestines instead, and most people can eat a normal, healthy diet afterwards without any lasting issues.
Gallbladder removal is usually recommended when gallstones — small, hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder — are causing problems such as frequent tummy pain, inflammation, or blockages. Removing the gallbladder stops the pain and helps prevent further complications linked to gallstones from developing.
Many people have gallstones without any symptoms at all, in which case surgery usually isn't needed — it tends to be reserved for cases where stones are actively causing discomfort or other problems.
In the weeks before surgery, you'll usually have a pre-operative assessment, including blood tests and a general health check, to confirm you're fit for the operation and to help decide whether keyhole or open surgery is the better option for you. This is also a good chance to ask any questions. You'll be told when to stop eating and drinking beforehand, usually from the night before.
Most gallbladder removals are done using keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, through a few small cuts in the tummy, under general anaesthetic. Gas is used to gently inflate the abdomen, giving the surgeon a clearer view, and a thin camera is inserted to see inside while instruments passed through the other small cuts are used to remove the gallbladder. The gas is released, and the cuts are closed with stitches and covered with dressings.
Occasionally, open surgery — using a single larger cut — is needed instead, for example if there's a lot of scar tissue from previous surgery, or unexpected inflammation is found during a keyhole procedure.
Most people are able to go home later the same day as a keyhole procedure, with recovery typically taking around two weeks. Mild to moderate discomfort is common afterwards, including some shoulder pain caused by the gas used during surgery — this settles on its own, and you'll be given painkillers to take at home in the meantime.
Eating light meals for the first few days, then gradually returning to a normal, healthy diet, tends to be the most comfortable approach. Most people can resume normal activities and work within around 10 to 15 days, with more strenuous exercise usually fine to restart after about a month, though it's worth following your own care team's specific advice.
