I had my gallbladder removed a long time ago (so long ago that the US was still in possession of the Panama Canal, and I had the surgery at Gorgas Memorial Hospital.) These days, unless it's an emergency^†, I think they mostly either break the gallstones up with a sonic screwdriver -- or the surgical equivalent -- or do laparoscopic surgery with minimal incisions. I'd put the panic rating at no more than 4 or 5 out of 10, where 1 is outpatient treatment for minor lacerations and 10 is a straight-from-the-ER-to-the-OR crisis.

†And believe me, you'd have noticed if it was an emergency. A septic gallbladder is excruciatingly painful.