Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 16, 2019 claims	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 12, 2018 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable | $	$ 568			$ 568			$ 929
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents in Other current assets | $	357		$ 781	357	$ 781		$ 655
Litigation-related net charges (credits) | $	(25)	$ (148)	$ (18)	108	$ (18)
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						52,000
Total Product liability cases and claims settled related to Mesh product						43,500
Non Acquisition Related [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents in Other current assets | $	$ 357			$ 357
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