Gallbladder Pain: Gallbladder Surgery Side Effects
Gallbladder surgery or, cholecystectomy, is not without side effects such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, heartburn and constipation. Gallbladder pain can sometimes persist after gallbladder removal and gallstones can, unfortunately, still form in the liver bile ducts.
The Digestion Process And The Role Of Gallbladder
Our digestive process is often unconscious and we don’t think of it unless we have hunger pangs, but the function of the gallbladder and bile involves a complex set of responses in our liver, small intestines, pancreas, stomach and brain. When we eat, this complex system responds appropriately to what we eat. Animal fats are complex fats to digest because these polyglycerides have molecules so large that the body must emulsify them to use them. Fat globules are broken apart so that they can then be absorbed by the intestines and turned into energy. Surprisingly, the digestive system recycles bile and each bile salt may be reused as much as twenty times or up to three times during each meal.
Inability To Digest Fats After Gallbladder Surgery
We can certainly live without a gallbladder and we can continue digesting food, the only question is how well. Bile will still be manufactured in the liver, the only difference it will be released continually into the small intestine. This bile will no longer be concentrated however, nor will its various components be fine-tuned to specific digestive needs. Fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamins A, D, E and K will no longer be assimilated and neither will fats.
Gallbladder Surgery Linked To Increased Risk Of Colon Cancer
The dumping of bile which flows unregulated may cause diarrhea and difficulty digesting foods with high fat content. This constant dumping of bile overtime has been linked with increased risk of colon cancer.
A more common side effect after gallbladder removal is a decrease in the secretion of bile. When the liver produces thick, sluggish bile, painful symptoms and bile stones can occur in the liver bile ducts themselves.
Digestive Aids Needed After Gallbladder Surgery
Having cholelithiasis or gallbladder stones may mean considering dietary changes and non-invasive treatments first, before considering surgical removal. Cleaning up the diet with the aid of a nutritionist or dietary expert may help you to restore regular function and flow of the gallbladder and bile to reduce or eliminate stones. Bile salts or choline supplements may help your body to digest fats more efficiently. Certain medications and ultrasound treatments can break up stones however they are more likely to return when they have developed once.
In cases of chronic gallstone development and gallbladder inflammation, some people apt for the gallbladder removal, but surgery does not prevent gallstones from forming after gallbladdder surgery.
After recovery the surgical procedure, many people remain asymptomatic, however it is possible to develop stones and have them lodge in a bile duct even years later which will result in gallbladder pain.
Gallbladder removal does not always address the source of a dietary/digestive problem which has caused gallstones. Various underlying problems, aside from diet, biliary duct issues, and including a malfunctioning thyroid, may cause ongoing issues if not investigated and treated.
What To Do After Gallbladder Surgery
There are a few things that can help to ease digestive symptoms afterward.
Reintroduce Foods Slowly: Reintroduce foods very slowly. Your doctor will talk to you about starting with liquids and then reintroducing foods which are low in fat initially. Over time you can reintroduce many of the foods you like to eat.
Keep Track Of What Foods You Have Trouble Digesting: Watch for signs of difficulty after each meal to keep track of what you cannot digest easily. Many people can return to a somewhat regular diet, however high fat foods may always pose a problem.
Bile Salts: Talk with your doctor about taking a bile salt supplement or choline to help mimic the gallbladder’s secretion during meal times.
Postcholecystectomy Syndrome
Some individuals may develop postcholecystectomy syndrome which can cause ongoing bloating, diarrhea, pain, nausea and the same digestive symptoms and gallbladder pain as you felt before the surgery.
How To Minimize Gallbladder Symptoms After Gallbladder Surgery
The only certain means of effectively minimizing any gallbladder symptoms after gallbladder surgery is to perform regular cleansing of the liver. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to dissolve gallstones no matter where they are located. By using a specially formulated liver supplement, one may dissolve and purge any toxic or fatty liver formations that are present in the liver, thus preventing gallstone formation. The formula is part of a program called The Pulverexx Protocol and it last 1 month. Cleanse at least 2 per year for gallstone prevention. Go here for more information.
