“What are the long term effects of gallbladder removal?”
I will have gallbladder removal. Is it serious? What are the long-term effects of gallbladder removal?
5 Answers
Should not have any issue
Most patients get relief from the gallstone issues and have no long term issues. Some get problems with pains and bile issues, which can include severe, smelly diarrhea.
Having a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is one of the most common operations performed every year. Patients typically do very well with surgery with minimal to no long-term effects. During the recovery phase, about 1 in 3 patients will develop diarrhea, especially when eating fatty, greasy, or oily foods. In my experience, 1 in 10 people may also have some sensitivity to dairy products as well. If these happen, they resolve in 99% of patients within 3 months.
Gallbladder surgery is extremely common and has low risk in general. Luckily, not having a gallbladder has few consequences but there is a chance of developing diarrhea. The bile that used to get stored in the gallbladder will instead empty into the small intestine and this can cause diarrhea in some people.
Discuss with Surgeon. It depends on extent of disease and comorbidities.
