In less than a decade, a new technique called laparoscopic cholecystectomy has revolutionized gallbladder surgery. With special instruments, the gallbladder is separated from its attachments and removed through a small incision in the bellybutton. The patient may eat and drink within a few hours after surgery and go home the same day with only a few small bandaids on their abdomen. There is very little pain or disfigurement. Most are able to resume full activity within a week's time.
Serious complications are rare.
Usually that ends the problem. It is possible, but very rare, for gallstones to return once the gallbladder has been removed. Two nonsurgical treatments were in favor a few years ago. One was lithotripsy, a technique that used shock waves to shatter gallstones in hopes that they would pass harmlessly into the intestine. The other was Actigall, a medication that could actually dissolve some gallstones.