Gallbladder problems, most commonly due to gallstones (cholelithiasis), typically present with a sharp, intense pain in the upper right abdomen or center of the abdomen, often occurring after eating a fatty meal and potentially accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through a simple and non-invasive abdominal ultrasound, which effectively visualizes stones within the gallbladder. Once symptomatic, the standard and definitive treatment is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, known as a cholecystectomy. The vast majority of these procedures are performed laparoscopically, a minimally invasive technique that results in less post-operative pain, minimal scarring, and a very short hospital stay—often just the same day or one night. When selecting a hospital for this surgery, it is beneficial to choose a facility where surgeons perform this procedure frequently, as high surgical volume is linked to better outcomes and fewer complications. The costs involved typically cover the surgeon's and anesthesiologist's fees, the hospital facility charges, and the use of the operating room, with the final amount being highly dependent on insurance coverage and whether the surgery was performed on an elective or emergency basis.