A prospective study of 77 patients undergoing open cholecystectomy was undertaken to establish the degree of satisfaction experienced by these patients. Specific symptoms were recorded preoperatively and at one year postoperatively. Two patients died from unrelated diseases during the year of follow-up and were excluded from the analysis. All symptoms inquired about reduced in frequency postoperatively, the best cures being achieved for jaundice, upper abdominal colic, fatty food intolerance and back/shoulder pain. A third of patients developed at least one new symptom during the year of follow-up. Seventy-seven per cent graded themselves either completely or well satisfied. It was not possible to predict from preoperative symptoms those who would be dissatisfied or those who would develop a new symptom. This study refutes recent suggestions that up to 50% of patients are dissatisfied with cholecystectomy and provides data which may be used to counsel patients preoperatively.