What happens if gallbladder is removed

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Can you recommend a diet after gallbladder removal? Products and services.

I recently had my gallbladder out and I keep having diarrhea. Is there a gallbladder removal diet I should follow? Answer From Elizabeth Rajan, M. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Blasco YR, et al. Low-fat diet after cholecystectomy: Should it be systematically recommended? Indigestion can cause diarrhea or flatulence, often made worse by excess fat or too little fiber in the diet. Bile leakage can mean having an insufficient amount of bile in the intestines to digest fat, which loosens stool. Although removal of a diseased gallbladder usually reduces constipation, surgery and anesthesia used during the procedure can lead to short-term constipation.

Dehydration can make the constipation worse. This may result in cramping. Some pain is normal following any surgery, but if it continues beyond a few days or gets worse instead of better, speak to your doctor. A stone that remains in a bile duct after gallbladder removal surgery can cause severe pain, or jaundice , which is the yellowing of the skin.

A complete blockage can cause an infection. To increase the chances of success, your doctor may suggest that you remain in the hospital for three to five days if you have open surgery. If you have keyhole, or laparoscopic, surgery, you may be able to go home the same day. Your medical team will teach you how to clean your wounds and watch for infection. Your doctor may prescribe a liquid or bland diet for the first few days.

Drink water throughout the day. Fiber is essential for good digestion after surgery, but limit your initial intake of the following:. Gallbladder removal is a last resort. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pain and complications from gallbladder disease by reducing the cholesterol and inflammation that can cause gallstones.

A diet lower in fat and higher in fiber, and full of fruits and vegetables, can also improve gallbladder health. Swap animal fats, fried foods, and oily packaged snacks for olive oil and other healthy fats. Limit or avoid sugar. Regular exercise can help your body reduce cholesterol and prevent gallstones from forming. Magnesium deficiency can increase your risk of developing gallstones.

Eat magnesium-rich foods , including dark chocolate, spinach, nuts, seeds, and beans to improve gallbladder health. A gallbladder cleanse usually refers to avoiding food for up to 12 hours, then drinking a liquid recipe like the following: 4 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice every 15 minutes for two hours.

Apple cider vinegar and turmeric both have been shown to reduce inflammation. If you mix them with warm water you can enjoy them as a tea-like drink and may experience relief of your gallbladder symptoms. Some people find the menthol in peppermint tea to be soothing as well. Some studies have shown the benefits of turmeric on gallstone formation. However, if you have gallstones, be careful how much turmeric you ingest. Sometimes a doctor will recommend watchful waiting to see if gallbladder-related symptoms lessen.

Diet changes, such as reducing overall fat intake, may also help. If symptoms persist, a doctor may recommend surgery. Open gallbladder removal is considered a safe operation. Complications are rare. However, every surgical procedure carries some risks. Before the procedure, your doctor will perform a complete physical examination and medical history to minimize these risks. Your surgeon will explain these risks to you and give you the chance to ask questions prior to the procedure.

These will include blood tests and imaging tests of your gallbladder. You may need to have additional imaging studies, such as a chest X-ray or an EKG , depending on your medical history. A complete physical exam and record of your medical history will also be needed. Certain medications can interfere with the procedure.

You may have to stop taking them prior to surgery. Whenever possible, laparoscopic surgery is preferred over traditional open surgery. However, certain complications can make open surgery a better choice, such as when the gallbladder is severely diseased. A severely diseased gallbladder can be more difficult to remove because it may have affected surrounding areas, which makes a laparoscopic procedure more difficult.

If someone has had prior abdominal surgeries that caused inflammatory changes near the gallbladder area, such as scar tissue adhesions, this may also make a laparoscopic cholecystectomy less possible. According to the American College of Surgeons ACS , a surgeon starts with a laparoscopic method and converts to an open method if needed. The likelihood of an open method is:.

An intravenous IV line will be inserted into a vein in your arm or hand for the purpose of anesthesia. Your abdomen will first be cleansed with an antiseptic solution to reduce infection risk. Your surgeon will then make an incision in your abdomen. There are two incision types your surgeon may choose. The surgeon might create a slanted incision just below the ribs on the right side of your abdomen.

Or they could create an up-and-down incision on the right upper part of your abdomen. This is less common. The skin, muscle, and other tissues are pulled back to expose your gallbladder. Your surgeon will then remove your gallbladder, close the wound with stitches, and then bandage the area. According to the ACS , a laparoscopic gallbladder removal procedure takes about one to two hours. An open procedure can take longer, but the length of time depends on the severity of the gallbladder disease.

Your doctor will discharge you from the hospital once your vital signs have stabilized and you show clinical signs of recovery without complications. Hospital stays are typically longer after an open procedure.