Removal Of The Gallbladder: You Have To Pay Attention To This

When removing the gallbladder, the gallbladder is usually removed by a small surgical procedure. But what’s next?

The gallbladder removal is a routine procedure and is usually minimally invasive, i.e. without leaving large surgical scars, which accelerates the healing process. But why is a gallbladder removed and what should be considered afterwards? Find out more about it today.

When does the gallbladder removal occur?

Gallbladder removal is done for a number of reasons. The following causes, among others, can lead to your doctor recommending a gallbladder removal:

• Gallstones
• Inflammation of the gallbladder
• Gallbladder cancer

There are other diseases, but very rare. The most common causes are these three. Gallbladder removal is always the last resort to alleviate symptoms when other methods, such as medication, have not worked.

What is the gallbladder used for?

The gallbladder is what is meant when one speaks of the “bile” itself. Your body stores the bile in the bile and thickens it. Incidentally, the bile itself is not produced by the bile, but by the liver. If an intestine now has to digest fat, it needs bile to do so.

This is then passed from the gallbladder via the biliary tract into the intestine for fat digestion. The biliary tract also only opens when bile is needed. Otherwise, the fluid collects in the gallbladder, where it is thickened to “store” and is therefore always available in sufficient quantities when you digest fat.

How do gallstones occur?

Gallstones are formed in the gallbladder and are one of the main reasons for gallbladder removal. The stones always form when there is less bile acid than dissolved substances (cholesterol, calcium, bilirubin). The causes for this can be obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise, constipation or pregnancy.

Gallstones by themselves do not initially trigger any symptoms that make gallbladder removal necessary. However, if they clog the bile ducts so that the bile can no longer get into the intestines, fat digestion is disturbed. In addition, gallstones can irritate the skin of the gallbladder, causing inflammation.

If the gallstones cause symptoms, they must be dissolved or destroyed. This works with medication or with shock waves that shatter the gallstones. The gallbladder is only removed if these methods are unsuccessful.

How does a gallbladder removal work?

Nowadays, gallbladder removal is a routine operation that hardly leaves any scars. The gallbladder is quite small, about 6-10cm tall and about 4cm thick, and is shaped like a very small pear. So it can be removed through very small openings.

The procedure takes place under general anesthesia and is minimally invasive, so that you do not notice anything and in the end you only have very small scars. You should therefore not have to stay in the hospital for more than 2-3 days.

What are the consequences of removing the gallbladder?

The most common question about a gallbladder removal is the question of diet. After all, a “part” of your digestive system is missing! But first there is the all-clear: the gallbladder is part of your digestive system, but not essential. It is just a kind of “storage chamber” for the bile.

Since the bile is produced in the liver, it is still available to you and your digestion, or your intestines. You only have a little less of it after a gallbladder removal, as you can no longer stock up. The liver usually also “learns” that the gallbladder has been removed and simply adjusts the production of bile accordingly.

What can I eat without a gallbladder?

There is no specific diet or diet to follow after gallbladder removal. Your liver continues to produce the bile it needs to digest fat! However, there is a small restriction: if you were used to eating very high fat before the operation, you should change your diet accordingly.

A reduced-fat, low-fat diet is not only right after a gallbladder removal, but also to maintain or even improve your general health. Avoid animal fats as much as possible and concentrate on high-quality vegetable oils.

Without a gallbladder, very high-fat “feasts” could lead to digestive problems. It doesn’t matter as long as you don’t eat fatty foods every day. With or without a gallbladder, just get into the habit of limiting your fat consumption and increasing the amount of fiber in your food.