Gallbladder Surgery Complications

The gallbladder is nearly eight centimeters long. It resembles a sack that stores the bile produced by your liver. It consists of three parts: the neck, body, and fungus. The gallbladder of an adult person can store nearly fifty milliliters of bile. Bile is mainly composed of water, but it also contains a certain amount of salts, cholesterol, and some pigments. Gallbladder Surgery Complications This fluid is very important for the digestion of fatty foods. After a meal, the gallbladder will release the bile into the intestines, and food will be broken down.

Gallstones are considered the most common cause of gallbladder disorders. Not all gallstones are harmful. There are small stones that never cause any problems. Larger stones are the ones that cause complications. If a gallstone gets stuck in the cystic duct, bile can build up inside the gallbladder. Gallbladder Surgery Complications (1), This can lead to complications, some of which can be very dangerous.

Gallbladder Removal

• There are two types of gallbladder removal: open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Open cholecystectomy is a traditional method; some doctors still prefer this approach, but this type of surgery is not very popular. The incision is large, and it takes more time to heal (2).
• Laparoscopic surgery leaves almost no scars. The incisions are very small, so the healing process lasts shorter, and the risk of infections is reduced. After the gallbladder removal, the patient will have to consume liquids and rest for a while (3).

Gallbladder Removal Side Effects

Some patients can experience the side effects of gallbladder surgery. These side effects are similar to symptoms of gallbladder removal. However, these problems are only temporary.

•  Digestion problems
•  Nausea
•  Abdominal discomfort
•  Bloating
• Constipation
•  Heartburn
•  Low tolerance to fatty foods
•  Cramps
•  Gas
•  Diarrhea
•  Pain

Gallbladder Surgery Complications

•  Bile leak is one of the complications that can occur during (or after) the surgery. The gallbladder stores the bile, so if it’s taken out, the bile can leak into the small intestines or reach the pancreas. This can also happen if the cystic duct is injured during the surgery (due to low visibility).
•  Some patients can experience problems with cholesterol levels in the blood. Fats digestion will be difficult, which will further lead to increased cholesterol levels. People who have had gallbladder surgery must not eat fatty foods (1) (meat, junk food, foods that contain hydrogenated oils, fatty sauces, mayonnaise, egg yolk, and fatty dairy products).
•  The cystic duct can get damaged. This complication usually occurs as a result of low visibility during the surgery.
•  Incisions can get infected. You must follow your doctor’s instructions, especially when it comes to your hygiene. If you have had open surgery, the risk of infections is even greater.

Possible Post Gallbladder Surgery Symptoms

There is no one determining factor as to why some people experience post-gallbladder surgery symptoms while others don’t.

Others can go about their usual routine after several weeks of recovery from the surgery while others experience discomforting, painful, and sometimes life-altering symptoms after having their gallbladders removed.

A few of the possible post-cholecystectomy symptoms include:

• Diarrhea – This is the most common post-surgery symptom following a cholecystectomy procedure. The reasons are unclear but a few believe that it is because of a higher level of bile that passes through the intestine.
• Increased levels of liver enzymes but this condition almost always corrects itself.
• Pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right portion of the abdominal area.
• Gas due to the gas pumped into the abdominal cavity to enlarge it for surgery. This will pass within twenty-four to seventy-two hours.
• Little or no appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle pain from the anesthesia

These symptoms should correct themselves within the period of recovery following your cholecystectomy. However, if these are persistent, you may need to consult your gastroenterologist for possible cures for these symptoms.

Diet after Gall Bladder Surgery

You may also be advised by your doctor to change your diet following your gallbladder surgery. A change in diet will help alleviate diarrhea plus other symptoms that you may be experiencing.

Decreasing or totally eliminating your intake of fatty and greasy foods can reduce diarrhea. Greasy foods can further elevate the risk of having diarrhea hence, foregoing or lessening your intake of these types of foods can alleviate diarrhea.

You may also consider foregoing or lessening other diarrhea inducers like caffeine, dairy foods, and sweets. Medications may also be prescribed by your physician.

Medicines to alleviate diarrhea, relieve pain and discomfort or those that lessen your body’s ability to absorb bile acids may be recommended.

Discussing with your doctor all your options plus the risks involved should you need to undergo gallbladder surgery will help you prepare for the surgery as well as post-surgery effects.

What Not To Eat After Gallbladder Surgery

After the gallbladder removal, the patient will have to moderate his/her diet. Certain foods will have to be avoided, like:

•  Fatty meat
•  Fatty dairy products
•  Sugary foods
•  Mayonnaise
•  Butter
•  Margarine
•  Broccoli
•  Cabbage
•  Fatty sauces
•  Foods that contain hydrogenated fats
•  Caffeine
•  Alcoholic beverages

Eating some of these foods could cause problems with digestion; therefore, it is very important to avoid them. You will be able to eat most of the healthy foods, like whole grains, non-fat dairy, lean meat, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables (except broccoli and cabbage).