Gallbladder Removal Side Effects: What To Expect & How To Manage Them

What Is The Function Of Your Gallbladder?

The gallbladder stores bile, an enzyme that helps your body break down fats. It also helps your body to metabolise sugar.

Thus, removing your gallbladder alters the functioning of your digestive system.

Why Remove The Gallbladder?

Your healthcare provider may recommend gallbladder removal in cases such as:

• Gallstones (which may recur even after treatment)
• Gallbladder cancer
• Chronic gallbladder infections

Cholecystectomy provides permanent relief from the conditions.

What Happens When Your Gallbladder Is Removed?

The fantastic thing about your body is that even without your gallbladder, your liver continues to produce bile and releases it directly into your small intestine.

However, this change can lead to temporary or long-term digestive issues in some individuals as your body adjusts to its new digestive routine. Making certain dietary and lifestyle changes can make this transition easier.

Let’s explore some short and long-term complications of gall bladder surgery and how to manage them with dietary and lifestyle modifications.

Common Side Effects Of Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder surgery can cause certain temporary and long-term complications.

Short-Term Side Effects:

After your gallbladder surgery, you may experience some temporary side effects as your body adjusts to its new digestive routine.

These can include:

• Post-Operative Pain: It is a temporary pain that is felt at the incision site after surgery and usually reduces after a few days.
• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty Digesting Fatty Foods
• Nausea And Vomiting

Less Common Side Effects:

There are also less common complications that may arise in some individuals:

Leakage Of Bile: 

• Sometimes, a small amount of bile may leak into your abdomen during or after surgery. Symptoms may include a tummy ache and a feverish feeling.
• If this occurs, your healthcare provider may need to drain the bile for relief.

Surgical Site Infection: 

• These may occur due to any chance of infection at the surgical site and can be prevented by keeping the area clean. 
• If you notice any swelling or pus discharge at the incision site, consult your healthcare provider for appropriate treatment.

Long-Term Complications 

Although the exact reason is unknown, in some people, the symptoms persist on a long-term basis after gallbladder removal (commonly known as Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome).

You may experience symptoms such as:

• Persistent Diarrhoea
• Abdominal Pain
• Indigestion
• Acid Reflux
• Gas Buildup And Bloating

If you experience any of these long-term symptoms, discussing them with your healthcare provider is important.

Management Techniques

The management techniques include dietary and lifestyle changes.

Dietary Adjustments

After a cholecystectomy, your gallbladder is removed, which impacts your bile storage and digestion. Hence, you must aid your digestive tract to adjust to this new routine gradually.

Diet Immediately After The Surgery

• As diarrhoea is a common side effect of gall bladder surgery, ensure you drink lots of liquids. Opt for liquid diets like vegetable broth, fruit juices (after removing pulp) and non-creamy soup.
• Gradually introduce bland semisolid foods like porridge and then solid foods into your diet, paying close attention to how your body reacts to each item.
• It is advisable that you avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, energy drinks, soda, and tea during this period.

Long-Term Diet And Hydration Tips

• Follow a balanced diet.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Keep track of diets that cause you discomfort and avoid them.
• Reduce the use of carbonated drinks and teas and instead focus on consuming hydrating options like cucumber, melon, broth, etc., in your diet.
• Be patient and allow your body time to slowly adjust to these dietary changes.

Recommended Diet Changes

Fats:

• Follow a no-fat diet in the first week after surgery.
• Gradually reintroduce low-fat oils like coconut, canola, and olive oil into the diet.

Note: After gallbladder removal, it is best to avoid high-fat diets, especially in those vulnerable to digestive issues.

Proteins:

• Initially, begin with easily digestible proteins like legumes and soy products.
• Once you feel comfortable, introduce nuts, seeds and leaner cuts of meat.
• Reintroduce red meat only after you recover fully and evaluate your body’s response to it.

Note: Avoid the use of red meat and high-fat diets on a daily basis.

Fibres:

• Fibres should be introduced gradually into the diet as they may cause gas and cramping in the initial days following the surgery.
• Use more soluble fibres like oats, apples and carrots.
• Reduce the use of insoluble fibres, whole grains, and wheat bran if you have cramps.

Foods To Limit After Gallbladder Surgery:

Since your body is no longer storing the bile, consuming a high-fat diet daily can increase your risk of developing metabolism-related issues like dyslipidemia, diabetes, and fatty liver. Therefore, even without digestive issues, it’s wise to adhere to a low-fat diet for long-term health.

It's advisable to limit the following in your diet:

• Heavy fat diets (e.g., butter, greasy foods)
• Fast foods
• High-fat dairy products

Lifestyle Changes:

You may need approximately two weeks post-surgery to return to your regular work routine or longer if your job involves manual labour.

While cholecystectomy is a minor procedure, start with gentle activities like walking and gradually progress to more intense exercises (e.g., jogging, cycling, cardio, etc).

Physical Activity Recommendations:

The following activities can aid your body in faster recovery and avoid future complications.

• Initial Rest - Allow your body to rest in the initial days after surgery, as rest helps in faster recovery.
• Gentle Walking - Begin walking within a few days after surgery as it promotes circulation and digestion.
• Avoid Heavy Lifting - Wait at least 4-6 weeks before engaging in strenuous activities.
• Maintain Proper Posture - Good posture can help prevent acid reflux and bloating.
• Avoid Lying Down Immediately After Meals - Wait at least 2 hours after meals before lying down to ensure proper digestion.

Yoga can be a gentle fat-burning exercise for you.

Here are some gentle Yoga Poses that you can consider after cholecystectomy:

For Digestion:

These poses help to improve digestion and thus prevent fat buildup.

• Marjaryasana: The cat-cow pose aids digestion and can help recovery after surgery.
• Vajrasana: This asana also aids digestion and can be practised immediately post-surgery.
• Plank Pose: This pose promotes digestion and can strengthen your core; start once you have fully recovered from the surgery.

To Reduce Pain:

Temporary pain after surgery can affect your quality of life. Breathing techniques can help your body relax for better recovery.

• Deep Breathing: Deep breathing aids in increasing the pain threshold and helps in relaxation.

Caution: Practice deep breathing without exerting pressure on your stomach to relieve pain post-surgery.

To Reduce Bloating And Gas:

Bloating, cramping and gas build-up can be reduced by gentle yoga techniques.

• Pavanamuktasana: This pose helps to relieve the excess gas buildup and bloating after cholecystectomy.

Want to learn more Yoga poses that can help you after gallbladder surgery? Give us a message in the comments, and we will get back to you.

Symptom-Based Management Recommendations

Here are a few recommendations for managing common symptoms that can arise after gallbladder surgery.

Abdominal Pain:

• Apply a warm compress to the site of pain.
• In case of severe pain, ask your healthcare provider for pain medications.

Bloating:

• Eat smaller meals frequently for easier digestion.
• Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines to relieve excess gas.

Diarrhoea:

• Diarrhoea may cause dehydration. Ensure that you stay properly hydrated.
• Avoid high-fat diets and insoluble fibres during the first weeks after your surgery to reduce your chances of diarrhoea.
• Also, start with a bland liquid diet and slowly introduce solids in the diet based on trial-and-error methods, based on how your body responds.

Nausea And Vomiting:

• Avoid overeating.
• Drink clear fluids like broth in small sips frequently.
• Your healthcare provider may give you anti-emetics if you have severe vomiting.

Long-Term Management

Symptoms like digestive issues and diarrhoea may be seen long-term in some people. Here are some recommendations for long-term management of these conditions.

Long-Term Digestive Issues:

• The gradual introduction of diets from liquid to solids with trial-and-error methods can help you identify what works best for your stomach.

Increased Risk Of Diarrhoea:

• In some individuals, diarrhoea persists on a long-term basis.
• Your healthcare provider may give you bile acid sequestrants to help your body digest food properly.
• Adhering to a low-fat diet and reducing the use of insoluble fibres may help reduce the risk of diarrhoea.
• Follow the diet pattern from dietary change recommendations.

Weight Gain Or Weight Loss:

Some people may experience long-term weight changes after gallbladder surgery due to changes in metabolism.

• Proper exercise and dietary changes, such as smaller and more frequent meals, a balanced diet, and daily physical activities, can help to keep your metabolism on track.
• A personalised nutritionist can help you plan a diet based on your body’s requirements.

Conclusion

Cholecystectomy is a low-risk procedure. After the procedure, proper dietary planning and lifestyle changes can help you achieve a faster recovery and prevent any long-term complications. 

It’s essential that you always follow the advice of your healthcare provider before starting any new exercises or diets to ensure you are fit to proceed.

Have you undergone gallbladder surgery? In the comments, share your experiences and changes you noticed after your gallbladder surgery. 

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