Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver. The procedure is most commonly performed to treat gallstones and the complications they cause. There are two main types of cholecystectomy:

1. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: This is a minimally invasive procedure where several small incisions are made in the abdomen. A camera and specialized surgical instruments are inserted through these incisions to remove the gallbladder. This approach has the advantages of shorter recovery time and less post-operative pain compared to the open method.

2. Open Cholecystectomy: In this method, a single, larger incision is made in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder. It's less commonly performed nowadays but may be necessary in certain situations, such as when complications arise or in the presence of severe inflammation.

After a cholecystectomy, bile flows directly from the liver into the small intestine, rather than being stored in the gallbladder. Most people can live normally without their gallbladder and don't experience significant changes in digestion..