Gallbladder Removal Side Effects

The liver produces bile in order to digest fats from the food ingested. Some of this bile, produced by the liver is held in a small, pear-shaped, sac-like structure, called the gallbladder. The gallbladder is attached to the underside of the liver and is situated at the right side of the abdomen. Bile is composed of bile salts, cholesterol and waste products. When these substances get out of balance, gallstones are produced. Failure to empty the gallbladder and crystallization of extra cholesterol in the bile, results in gallstones formation. These gallstones cause trouble mostly after a fatty meal, making the person feel sick and feverish. It also spearheads searing pain in the upper, right side of the abdomen.

This gallstones problem affects about 15% of people, aged 50 and above. Moreover, a large number of people also suffer from other gallbladder problems. Most of these people are asked to undergo a surgery and since the patient wants to get rid of the unbearable pain, bloating, nausea and diarrhea, he gives his approval for the same. However, even though the gallbladder is not a vital organ and that the body can cope well even in its absence, will the problem get solved after gallbladder removal? Gallbladder surgery or cholecystectomy, is a safe surgery. However, there are certain gallbladder removal side effects that follow the surgery.

Gallbladder Removal Side Effects

There are several side effects one faces after a gallbladder surgery. Some occur right after the surgery and disappear in a few days time, while others don't seem to leave the patient. Let's have a look at these side effects of gallbladder removal.

Gallbladder Side Effects Right After Surgery

Pain
During the first few days after the surgery, patients will face significant amounts of discomfort and pain. This is because the organs have been shifted internally during the surgery to remove the gallbladder. Moreover, during surgery, the surgeon inserts carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity, so that he can see the organs better. Some of this gas remains in the body, thereby causing bloating and uneasiness. This gas is also responsible for the pain felt in the right shoulder and right side of the abdomen. However, this pain subsides within a week or so.

Diarrhea
The patient will experience frequent bowel movements after the surgery. Generally, patients are advised to eat a low-fat diet, for about two to three weeks after the surgery. However, even then sometimes, the body is not able to digest the food properly, thereby resulting in diarrhea. Nevertheless, this usually gets better with time.

Difficulty Breathing
Breathing also becomes painful, however, it is important to practice deep breathing after the surgery to avoid lung complications. A general sense of weakness is also experienced after the surgery.

Bile Duct Injury
One serious side effect that affects one in five patients, is injury to the common bile duct. This defect will be obvious by the onset of fever, jaundice and abnormal blood test results after the surgery. To rectify the injured bile duct condition, further surgery may be required.

The patient can also suffer from symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, nausea, gas, itchy skin, etc. However, most of these symptoms are temporary and disappear in a few weeks time, without treatment. Most people face no problems digesting and consuming food after the gallbladder surgery.

Long-Term Side Effects of Gallbladder Removal

Although almost 60% people don't face any serious symptoms post surgery, some are not so lucky. They face various symptoms in the long run, which are as follows.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Even after gallbladder removal, the liver continues to produce bile in order to digest the fats. However, due to the absence of the gallbladder, which earlier stored bile, the bile released from the liver has no storage place to go to. So the bile is readily dumped into the intestine and digestion takes place. However, even when the person hasn't eaten anything, bile will continue to flow into the intestines and irritate it. In the long run, this can lead to colon cancer.

Chronic Diarrhea
Some bodies are just not able to digest even the slightest amounts of fats. This means when the person consumes a meal, with minimal amounts of fats, that amount gets thrown out five to six minutes after the meal. Moreover, because the bile secreted from the liver has no place to get collected and gets dumped into the intestines (dumping syndrome), it also results in diarrhea. The person gets stuck with chronic diarrhea and is restricted to eating only a healthy meal. This chronic diarrhea may go on for months or even years.

Gallstones Formation
The liver produces lesser bile after gallbladder removal, which is thick and sluggish leading to pain and gallstones formation. Some people develop gallstones after removal of the gallbladder. These bile stones cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

In the US, as well as other countries across the globe, various natural cures are gaining popularity. Several doctors are prescribing alternative medicines to treat gallbladder problems and are opting for gallbladder surgery, only as the last resort. This is because of the several painful side effects associated with the surgery. Natural remedies aim to replace gallbladder surgical treatments. In case of gallstones, one can flush them out naturally.

For some people, undergoing a gallbladder surgery is inevitable. However, it is claimed that almost 85% patients can avoid gallbladder surgery by opting for natural remedies. But, most people have their gallbladder removed, without considering the options available. It is important one finds out the different options, before heading out and discarding the organ, that God intentionally placed in the body.