Bloating after gallbladder removal

Pain and complications from gallstones are the most common reasons for cholecystectomy. The gallbladder may also be removed to treat biliary dyskinesia or gallbladder cancer. It is important to know that gallstones are very common, but 50-80% of people with gallstones are asymptomatic and do not require surgery. Their stones were discovered incidentally during imaging tests in the abdomen for other reasons. Of the many people who develop gallstones, only about 30% eventually require a cholecystectomy to relieve symptoms (pain) or to treat complications. Some of these people experienced abdominal bloating after having their gallbladder removed. What is going on?

The function of the gallbladder is to store and concentrate bile, and bile mainly helps digest fat. After cholecystectomy, the bile concentration function is weakened, which weakens the ability to digest fat. Flatulence may occur, but this situation will gradually improve with the compensatory expansion of the common bile duct. Therefore, it is recommended to eat less greasy food and take some digestive aids if necessary.

The gallbladder stores and releases bile, which allows us to digest fats. When you take it out, your liver takes over bile production and storage. However, this transition can take a while, and if you continue to eat large amounts of fat (the exact amount depends on the individual), it can cause bloating, gas, and diarrhea because the bacteria in your large intestine are trying to digest it instead of you.

Up to 40 percent of people who undergo cholecystectomy develop a condition called post-cholecystectomy syndrome, or PC. Symptoms are usually similar to the pain and discomfort you experience before cholecystectomy and most commonly include gastrointestinal distress (dyspepsia) and persistent pain in the right upper abdomen.

Some people may develop chronic diarrhea after cholecystectomy. The cause is unclear, but it is speculated to be related to the riot anger system. The interference is thought to be due to enterohepatic recycling of bile salts, which is not fully absorbed in the terminal ileum. This flooded portion of the intestine causes diarrhea. Most cases resolve within a few weeks or months, but in a few cases the condition may persist for years. It can be controlled with medications, such as cholestyramine.

All surgeries carry the risk of serious complications or even death. The most serious complication of cholecystectomy is bile duct injury. This occurs in between 0.3% and 0.6% of laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Approximately 25% to 30% of bile duct injuries are usually noted during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the remainder are noted in the early postoperative period. Duct damage leading to leakage usually manifests as fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain a few days after cholecystectomy or as elevated total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase on laboratory studies.