Your gallbladder stores bile, produced by your liver to aid fat breakdown. If this organ becomes infected or swollen, gallbladder attacks could occur.
These attacks produce sharp pain in the upper right part of your belly after eating fatty or greasy foods, and if they continue, may require surgery (cholecystectomy). This procedure is safe.
Understanding Gallbladder and Cholecystectomy
The gallbladder, nestled in the upper right abdomen, stores bile—a liver-produced fluid breaking down fatty foods. When issues arise, cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal surgery) is often advised.
These signs suggest the need for gallbladder surgery:
1. Indigestion: bloating, heartburn, and gas.
2. Sharp belly pain.
3. Nausea and vomiting.
4. Jaundice: yellowing of skin and eyes.
5. Fever.
If these symptoms emerge, consulting a doctor is vital. Cholecystectomy may be recommended for gallstones in the gallbladder or bile duct, gallbladder inflammation, large gallbladder polyps, or gallstone-induced pancreas inflammation.
Cholecystectomy, generally safe, entails slight risks like infection, bleeding, or bile leakage. Recovery duration depends on laparoscopic (keyhole) or open surgery. Most leave the hospital the same day with keyhole surgery. For desk jobs, normal activities resume in about 2 weeks, longer for manual labor. Open surgery necessitates a 3 to 5-day hospital stay and extended recovery time.
For queries or concerns regarding gallbladder removal, consulting a doctor is advisable.
Signs You Need Your Gallbladder Removed
1. Abdominal Pain
The gallbladder is an organ located within your abdomen that stores bile that your body uses to digest fats in the small intestine. When gallstones form, painful episodes could last for hours. You might also experience fever, jaundice (yellowing skin and eyes) or nausea as symptoms.
If you have gallstones, your doctor may advise having your gallbladder surgically removed (known as cholecystectomy). Surgery can be carried out using laparoscopic techniques; for this, a tube blowing a stream of carbon dioxide gas separates your abdominal wall from organs so slender instruments can reach it easily; alternatively open surgery could also be performed where larger cuts will be made to reach it directly.
Some people do just fine without gallbladders, while if you experience painful gallstone attacks your doctor may recommend having it removed to reduce future attacks and complications.
2. Nausea
Though digestive disturbances may occur after gallbladder removal, if they become severe you should contact your doctor immediately. These could indicate serious complications, including intestinal injury caused by tools used for removal.
Without a gallbladder, your liver will still produce bile to aid with digestion, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But instead of storing this bile between meals, it will flow directly from liver into small intestine.
If you experience unusually frequent bowel movements, dark urine, lighter-colored stool or fever, or an obstruction in the bile duct that needs medical treatment – signs of cholecystitis that could potentially lead to the gallbladder bursting and severe pain in your abdomen if left untreated – medical assistance should be sought immediately.
3. Diarrhea
The gallbladder stores and releases bile to assist your digestive system in breaking down fats, yet isn’t the sole source of this essential fluid – instead traveling via other routes until reaching its destination in your small intestine.
If you experience gallbladder pain that lasts several minutes to several hours, see your physician as soon as possible. Gallstone removal surgery may be required in order to release pressure on the bile duct from a gallstone that’s pressing against it.
Once your gallbladder has been removed, you should be able to eat normally and digest foods normally; however, you might experience indigestion with certain fatty foods or full-fat dairy. If diarrhea, fever, jaundice or weakness develop after your surgery has taken place, seek medical advice immediately – it could be a telltale sign of infection around the incision area.
4. Weight Gain
When your gallbladder is absent, your body cannot digest fat properly, leading to weight gain, bloating and abdominal discomfort.
One of the telltale signs that it may be time for your gallbladder removal is experiencing a dull ache in your upper right midriff that lasts several minutes or hours after eating a high-fat meal.
Diarrhea is one of the telltale signs that your gallbladder needs to be removed, and if it recurs after surgery it’s wise to keep a food diary to pinpoint which foods trigger it – this may help make healthy dietary changes faster and speed healing timeframe.
If digestive issues continue after this initial procedure then consult your physician about additional tests to ascertain if gallstones could be to blame.
5. Vomiting
Gallstones can cause inflammation and pain when they block your liver or gallbladder, but you might not necessarily require surgery as treatment option. Your doctor might instead suggest noninvasive approaches like medication that dissolve cholesterol stones (chenodiol or ursodiol).
Most people do not experience digestive issues after having their gallbladder removed; however, some initial discomfort is to be expected. Over time, your liver should adjust to not having a gallbladder and your bile ducts may enlarge to store more bile.
Under open gallbladder surgery, the surgeon makes a 5 to 7 inch (12.5 to 17.5 centimeters) cut in your upper right abdomen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy involves smaller incisions made and using a camera to view your gallbladder. Unfortunately, in rare cases bile may leak into your stomach after surgery leading to fever, swelling and sickness symptoms.
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Gallbladder Removal Surgery
Gallbladder removal surgery, also known as cholecystectomy, is considered a safe procedure. However, like any operation, it carries some risks and may result in certain side effects. Possible complications following gallbladder removal include infection, bleeding, bile leakage, swelling, damage to the bile duct or nearby organs such as the intestine and bowel.
There is also a risk of developing deep vein thrombosis and experiencing heart problems or pneumonia. Additionally, individuals may encounter post-surgery symptoms resembling those caused by gallstones. These symptoms may include abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), fever, excessive flatulence (gas), and nausea.
Some individuals may experience lasting side effects following gallbladder removal surgery. These can include difficulties digesting fat, diarrhea, constipation, intestinal injuries, jaundice, or fever. However, it is important to note that the majority of people do not experience long-term complications after cholecystectomy and are able to lead a healthy life even without their gallbladder.
The risks and side effects of gallbladder removal surgery may vary among individuals. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedure, it is advisable to consult your doctor for further guidance and clarification.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Gallbladder Removal Surgery
The recovery time after gallbladder removal surgery varies depending on the specific procedure a person undergoes. To provide you with an idea of the estimated recovery time, we have gathered information from various sources:
Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure, allows most patients to be discharged from the hospital on the same day. The recovery period following this type of surgery varies depending on the nature of one’s job. If you have a desk job, it typically takes about two weeks to return to your regular activities. However, if your job involves physical labor, the recovery process may take longer.
For instance, when undergoing laparoscopic gallbladder removal, most individuals require approximately two weeks for recovery, although full recuperation can take up to six weeks. While you may resume most normal activities within a week or two after the operation, regaining your usual energy levels might require several additional weeks.
In open surgery, patients typically remain in the hospital for a span of 3 to 5 days. The recovery period is longer compared to other surgical methods. It may take approximately 3 to 4 weeks to resume normal activities and up to 6 to 8 weeks for individuals with physically demanding occupations. The recovery phase after gallbladder removal through open surgery generally lasts around six to eight weeks.
Following your doctor’s instructions for recovery is crucial. This includes adhering to the prescribed pain medication, avoiding heavy lifting or strenuous activity, and maintaining a low-fat diet. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your recovery process, it is advisable to consult with your doctor.
