If you have gallstones do you have to get your whole gallbladder removed?

Yes: You will have more stones if you don't.

If symptomatic. : The gallbladder is a gallstone "factory": if we just get rid of the stones and leave the gallbladder, new stones will form. Thankfully, most people have no change in their digestive function w/o the gallbladder. Btw-if you have stones found incidentally but have no symptoms, we do not recommend treatment.