I had mine out 2 years ago & still have problems now. There are certain foods I can't eat and get intense stomach cramps after eating quite often.

But… the way I found out I had gallstones was by ending up in hospital with acute pancreatitis & jaundice due to stones blocking tubes. The surgeon told me every day was a ticking time bomb as 1 in 10 die from pancreatitis & once you've had it you're more susceptible while you still have your gallbladder.

The surgery is quick, but personally it took me 3 months to recover enough to work, and they say to restrict lifting/sports etc for a year post surgery.

Everyone is different. But IMO once you have gallstones the risks of them causing much more dangerous things like pancreatitis or other blockages makes it sensible to get it removed. I didn't get a choice, the surgeon saw me while I was in with pancreatitis and basically said 'We're taking it out asap, we always remove the gallbladder now if there are bad stones or a risk. We like to take them out whenever stones are detected but it becomes more urgent if you have complications like this'.