I have mine removed, but my issue was one giant stone rather than many small ones (no idea which is worse/better). I used to wake up in the middle of the night from a dead sleep to extreme pain and would be gone by morning. By the time I got a surgical consultation I had figured out my triggers and would avoid them, and hadn't had an event in like 6 months. I am terrified of surgery, so didn't want to get it if I didn't have to. They basically said, it's only a matter of time before it happens again, because these stones don't go away, and mine was so big it would eventually block the narrow opening entirely (I completely forget all the technical jargon, sorry!). So basically it was get it done now laparoscopically, or risk needing emergency surgery, which may have to open up the entire abdomen, potentially while travelling to some random country with not as good medical care or something.
Anyways, I got it out during covid, so I had to go alone, cried the entire time until they knocked me out, woke up later, took the pain pills and it was alright. I was WFH and basically just took a day off and then still worked at home the day after. It was painful to sit up, like getting out of bed/using ab muscles, but overall not crazy. The scars were the worst part, which is so shallow of me, but I hate how they looked fresh. So purple and gross. Theyve faded now and its not as bad.
I haven't had a single issue since it's been out. No bathroom issues, still able to eat everything. It was a good decision for me, but surgery is still surgery, and idk if I'd ever recommend someone to undergo it electively. But again, I am super surgery averse! So ymmv. If you have any questions I am happy to answer as well