If you’re getting ready to have your gallbladder removed because of gallstones, you’re far from alone. About 20 million people have gallstones, and out of those, about 300,000 have their gallbladder removed.
Gallbladder removal, officially referred to as a cholecystectomy, can help you get the relief you need from gallstones. While the surgery often brings relief from pain and digestive issues, you might wonder if life without a gallbladder will bring any side effects.
Here’s what to expect and how to manage changes effectively, courtesy of board-certified general surgeon Dr. Mikhail A. Botvinov and the Bergen Bariatric and Surgical Solutions team.
Your liver produces bile, but it’s your gallbladder’s job to store it. Bile helps digest fats, and even after your gallbladder is removed, your liver keeps making bile, but it releases directly into your small intestine.
This can lead to slight adjustments in your digestion, especially in the first few weeks. You might experience:
Some people experience diarrhea after gallbladder removal due to bile flowing directly into the intestines. This effect is usually temporary but can persist for a few months. Avoiding fatty and fried foods can help reduce digestive discomfort during this period.
You may notice more gas or bloating without your gallbladder, especially after meals. Eating smaller, more frequent meals and sticking to a low-fat diet can help manage these symptoms.
With the direct flow of bile, your body might have trouble breaking down fats at first. To help with this, eat animal proteins and healthy fats in moderation. Over time, most people adjust, and this becomes less noticeable.
For most people, gallbladder removal doesn’t cause lasting issues. However, if you continue experiencing discomfort, try these strategies:
Fiber helps you regulate digestion and firm up stools. However, make sure you add it gradually to avoid gas and bloating. Foods like oats, bananas, pears, and apples are good sources of fiber.
Vegetable fiber, in particular, helps prevent post-cholecystectomy diarrhea. It reduces gastric emptying, improves intestinal barrier function, increases colonic fluid and electrolyte uptake, and improves endothelial cell regrowth, all of which help prevent diarrhea.
Spicy, fatty, or processed foods can trigger digestive discomfort without a gallbladder. Keep a food diary to help identify any foods that cause issues and avoid them when possible.
Water aids digestion, and drinking water is even more important if you have diarrhea. Water can help replace lost fluids and help prevent dehydration.
It’s never a light decision to remove an organ, and it’s only recommended when other treatments haven’t provided enough relief. That being said, always speak up if you have ongoing symptoms after your gallbladder removal.
In rare cases, bile can irritate the lining of your intestines, which can lead to a condition called bile acid diarrhea (BAD). If you experience ongoing digestive issues, talk to Dr. Botvinov. He might recommend medication to help manage bile flow and reduce irritation.
The bottom line is that there are some adjustments you can expect after gallbladder removal, but you can also expect relief from the symptoms that led you to surgery in the first place — and that’s a great point to focus on.
Questions about your upcoming surgery? Give us a call at 201-778-5344 to speak with our friendly team. You can also make an appointment online at our Westwood, New Jersey, office.
