Did you know that you can live without a gallbladder? Many people do.
Gallbladder removal surgery, or cholecystectomy, is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. It is a very common procedure and may be recommended to patients with symptoms associated with gallstones.
There are an estimated 300,000 gallstone removal procedures performed annually in the United States. If your gallstones have become a problem lately, ask your doctor about gallbladder removal surgery.
What Your Gallbladder Does
The gallbladder is an organ located in the upper right side of your abdomen. It stores the bile your liver produces; bile is what helps your digestive system break down fat. The gallbladder releases the bile into the small intestine when you eat a fatty meal.
Problems Associated With the Gallbladder
The primary problem associated with the gallbladder are gallstones, hardened deposits that form within the gallbladder.
Gallstones form due to an imbalance in bile production. Most often, gallstones cause no symptoms. However, if they cause you intense abdominal pain and jaundice (the yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes), you may need to have your gallbladder removed. Another problem with gallstones is they can block the flow of bile, irritating and inflaming the gallbladder or pancreas. Cholecystitis (gallbladder inflammation) and pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation) are two examples of complications of gallstones.
In some cases, your doctor may recommend using special prescription tablets to help dissolve gallstones before resorting to surgery. However, gallbladder removal surgery is a more effective solution for those who suffer from gallstones.
What to Expect After Gallbladder Removal Surgery
It’s true: you can live a normal, healthy life without your gallbladder. You may be concerned about how your digestive system will break down fatty food without it. But you do not need to worry – your liver will keep producing bile but, instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it will drip continuously into your digestive system to help you digest fats.
After gallbladder removal surgery, you may feel bloated or experience diarrhea for a few weeks.
As your body adjusts to functioning without a gallbladder, your doctor will recommend that you eat a healthy, low-fat diet. This is to help with post-op symptoms such as bloating or diarrhea, which may be triggered by fatty foods. The vast majority of patients are able to return to their normal diet a few months after gallbladder removal surgery.
Gallbladder Removal in Central Texas
Austin Gastroenterology has been a trusted source of GI care in Austin, Texas, for more than 30 years. Our board-certified physicians specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing a wide range of conditions affecting the digestive tract, including gallstones. If you are worried about your gallbladder or any GI disorder, call Austin Gastroenterology, the largest group of physicians in Central Texas, at the location nearest you. Or you can request an appointment now.
