As cholecystitis recurs frequently, the patients eventually require cholecystectomy which is gallbladder removal surgery. Cholecystectomy is commonly performed laparoscopically (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). Once the gallbladder is removed, the bile, instead of getting stored in the gallbladder, flows directly from the liver into the small intestine. One doesn't need a gallbladder to live and its removal doesn't affect the ability to digest food; however, it may sometimes cause diarrhea, but this is usually temporary.