I just did a gallbladder flush two days ago. I had "cholecystitis" when I did it and it was my first ever flush so I wanted to follow the directions very carefully. From what little I know, the Malic acid doesn't just soften the stones, it helps to dissolve the cholesterol they are made of, thus making them smaller. I had been placed on a liquid diet anyway so I just drank raw unfiltered apple juice for three days. I think it made a big difference. I passed an INCREDIBLE number of "stones" some small the size of sunflower seeds and some the size of my fingernails. But I've never tried to flush without preparing. I have read some stories on this site of people who did not have a "successful flush" and did not prepare first so for all of these reasons I think it's important. Good luck and God bless!
Mary