My husband, 53 years old, had his gall bladder removed (open cholecystectomy) in 1996. After 9 days in the hospital he was released. My husband never experienced full recovery. Symptoms continued through the years with episodes of moderate to severe pain. He changed his eating habits, became a vegetarian, and this seemed to bring periods of relief. After several visits to our general practioner, gastroenterologist, tests, cat scans, MRI's, and various trips to the ER; it was concluded that my husband had gall stones and needed his gall bladder removed! He had his gall bladder removed (again) in 2005, requiring another opened cholecystectomy! Doctors seem to have no explanation for this and the last surgeon is certain he removed my husband's gall bladder. I must say, my husbands experience the second time around was incredible. He required practically no pain medication, was walking the following day and was released after from the hospital the 2nd day. My husband is healthy and has experienced no pain since 2005. But, we will forever be baffled by the experience and wonder what happened with the first surgery in 1996! Thank you! Baffled in New York.