Bowel Movements After Gallbladder Removal And The Side Effects

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located in the abdominal cavity just below the liver. The gallbladder has a vital function, namely to accommodate the bile. Bile plays a role in breaking down fat into simpler molecules to be easily absorbed by the small intestine. However, in some people, the compounds held by the gallbladder can harden and form gallstone.

The presence of gallstones can cause bothersome pain. Initial symptoms include bloating, nausea, excessive heartburn, and vomiting, leading to a nutritional imbalance in the body. The only way to overcome gallstone is gallbladder removal surgery. This operation is classified as a significant operation.

Does Gallbladder Removal Affect Bowel Movements? 4 Gallbladder Removal Side Effects

Although it is claimed to cure gallstones, it can cause changes to the patient’s bowel movement and push the following side effects:

1. Mild diarrhea

Diarrhea is a side effect that is certain to occur in people who have had gallbladder removal surgery. This is very natural because the bile that is generally accommodated by the gallbladder will flow directly into the intestine, causing an increase in bowel movement. Mild diarrhea can last only 2-3 days.

2. Chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is a side effect most often felt by people undergoing gallbladder removal surgery. Approximately 17% of people who perform this operation will experience more frequent bowel movements. If regular people only experience bowel movement once a day, post-operation people will experience 3-5 times or more. The resulting stool is also loose and watery.

In addition to frequency, the bowel movement you feel will also be more potent. You can feel a great sense of urgency with every push. You will feel this bowel movement worse in patients who have excess body weight. This kind of bowel movement after gallbladder surgery can occur over months to years.

3. Mild constipation

Apart from diarrhea due to the high activity of bowel movement after gallbladder surgery, constipation can also occur. The decrease in bowel movement in patients also often occurs. However, the cause is pain medication taken after surgery. Doctors who prescribe pain medication will usually use stool softeners to help the patient pass stool smoothly.

4. Recurrence of early gallstone symptoms

In some patients, gallstone does not disappear entirely even after gallbladder removal surgery. A gallstone can remain or re-form in the bile duct and block the bile flow from the liver to the small intestine. This blockage causes the same symptoms as the symptoms felt before gallbladder removal surgery, namely bloating, nausea, vomiting, fever, and even jaundice. To fix this, a follow-up operation is usually carried out to clean up the remaining gallstone.

Dietary Adjustment to Minimize Gallbladder Removal Surgery Side Effects

Apart from the side effects of bowel movements after gallbladder removal surgery, this surgery is the best solution for dealing with gallstone. If the gallstone is left too long, it will interfere with other organ systems. To minimize the side effects, you can make dietary adjustments.

Postoperative gallbladder removal patients should consume a low-fat diet because the bile flows into the intestines little by little. Apart from a low-fat diet, it is also advisable for patients to consume high fiber content. High fiber can help patients normalize bowel movement after gallbladder removal surgery to reduce the appearance of excess side effects. Do not forget to survey health providers who have good credit so that the operation can run well.