Gall bladder surgery is most often an elective procedure. At times it can be emergent, but most commonly it is not.
The gall bladder is a storage container for bile. It is attached to the liver, which makes the bile. When the gall bladder quits functioning or develops gall stones that are symptomatic, the treatment is to surgically remove it. If gall stones are found incidentally and are not causing symptoms, no surgery is required.
Surgery to remove the gall baldder is most commonly done with a laparoscope. This means a 1/2 inch incision at the umbilicus (belly button) and 2 or 3 1/4 inch incisions in the right upper abdomen.
Most patients are able to go home the same day after gall bladder surgery. I traditionally admit you to the hospital and check on you at the end of the day to see if you are ready to go home. Some people are ready after an hour or two, and some take 6 or 8 hours to be ready to function at home.