Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 23, 2019 claims	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 12, 2018 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable | $	$ 699			$ 929
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents in Other current assets | $	$ 2,724	$ 850		$ 655
Litigation-related net charges (credits) | $	148	$ 0
Litigation Settlement Received, Gain | $	180
Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product			53,000
Putative class actions in the U.S., Mesh			8
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - Canada			25
Certified class actions in Canada, Mesh			1
Putative class actions in Canada, Mesh			3
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - United Kingdom			25
Assigned to one judge in MA [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product			3,100
Settled Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product			51,000
Total Product liability cases and claims settled related to Mesh product			41,000
Non Acquisition Related [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents in Other current assets | $	$ 422
Upfront Cash [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Alleged Breach of Purchase Agreement, Amount | $					$ 145
Maximum Contingent Payment [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Alleged Breach of Purchase Agreement, Amount | $					$ 130