A cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, most commonly performed to treat gallstones causing pain, inflammation, or blockage. It is usually done by keyhole laparoscopy, with most patients recovering quickly. Without a gallbladder, bile drips continuously into the intestine rather than being stored and released in concentrated bursts, so fatty meals may cause diarrhoea or discomfort initially. Dietary advice after surgery is to eat small, low-fat meals and reintroduce fats gradually as tolerance improves; most people adapt within weeks. Long-term, a balanced diet with moderate fat suits the altered but functional bile flow.