I have scheduled gallbladder surgery for late next month, and I am having doubts about this so-called simple surgery. My GI doctor referred me to a surgeon, who explained that with my symptoms and history, I “qualified” for surgery. I once heard a surgeon tell me that a minor surgery (or a simple surgery) is one that is done on someone else. However, in most 85-year-olds who are generally healthy, the benefits of the surgery tend to outweigh the risks. They know you and your medical history well enough to do a better assessment of the benefits and medical risks of the surgery.