Gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is a common and effective treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease, most often caused by gallstones. Surgery is usually recommended when gallstones begin to cause pain, inflammation, or complications. What Is the Gallbladder? The gallbladder is a small organ beneath the liver that stores bile, which helps digest fats. The body functions normally without a gallbladder, as bile continues to flow directly from the liver into the intesti