LBTC- If they just want to go down and check things out, they can do an ERCP. I do xray for ERCP's (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) where they pass a camera scope down through the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and into the biliary tree. We inject a radiopaque dye that can be seen with xray to check patency/obstruction of the ducts and gallbladder. They can also go in while they are there and remove stones if they see them. They do this when it's not necessary to remove the GB, just unblock it. As for removal, like Velogirl said, laproscopic is the way to go.
Velogirl - If you remember screaming during it, then they were doing something extremely wrong. A slight gag reflex when the scope enters is all you should have felt. The fact that it took them 3 years to figure it out is so disturbing to me as well.
Mary - life is short, wear the bikini anyway!