It would depend what you deem normal. You don't need your gallbladder to function normally. If you have any foods triggers like I did. It's possible they can still cause you discomfort after. For me I get nausea or stomach pain. My mom can eat normally. It is a minimal procedure. You will need bed rest for a couple days maybe a week. The first couple days are mandatory but the rest depends on your pain tolerance. I took five days off of school.

What I meant was, at present I’m on a restricted diet, basically low fat, dairy free. Would I still have to be on that following surgery or could I resume eating all foods as I did until symptoms started five years ago?

I feel 100 percent better after removal, just avoid fried foods.