Gallbladder surgery

Most people who have their gallbladders removed are glad to see them go, but for a small percentage, the operation seems to cause bowel problems.

Like your appendix and spleen, the gallbladder is something you can do without. Each year, about a million Americans have their gallbladders surgically removed because the organ has become inflamed (cholecystitis) or contains gallstones. If the gallstones become lodged in a duct, the result can be excruciating pain. Serious infection and inflammation are risks, too. Most people are more than happy to bid their gallbladders adieu if that's what it takes to make the pain or threat of complications go away.