Laparoscopic cholecystectomy — the removal of the gallbladder with very small incisions — is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States and is the gold standard for the surgical treatment of gallbladder disease. Our surgeons use approximately four small incisions to extract the gallbladder. In many cases, the patient is discharged home within 6 hours after surgery. Most patients are able to return to work within one week, and heavy lifting should be avoided for a few weeks after surgery. Some abdominal pain can occur that resolves within two to three days after surgery and can be managed with oral pain medication. Prior to this surgery, your surgeon will perform a complete evaluation to determine whether laparoscopic gallbladder removal is the right procedure for you.