The following article will give you a detailed explanation of life after gallbladder removal. What one can expect and how does one take precautions for the same will be dealt with as well.
There are several people who undergo gallbladder removal surgery every year. It’s pretty clear that the reason they do this is because there is a problem there. What is that problem and why does it have to be a surgery? To understand that, we must first be clear about what the gallbladder is and what it does. The gallbladder is a digestive organ that stores bile concentrate and releases it into the liver.
This bile is important for digestion of foods. Sometimes however, this bile will solidify to form crystals called gallstones. These gallstones lead to a lot of gallbladder pain and discomfort and can cause further complications if they get lodged into any duct or pipe. A malfunctioning of the gallbladder can lead to certain other conditions as well and cause grave pain, making life a living hell. In such a situation, undergoing a gallbladder removal surgery becomes necessary.
In this article, we will be getting into the details about what happens post a gallbladder removal surgery. It will tell you about what to expect and how to deal with it, which will help you be better prepared for the same.
Post Gallbladder Removal Problems
Are there any side effects after gallbladder removal and are they common? Life after the gallbladder is removed is not as easy as it seems. There are several side effects that will be felt in the immediate days to follow the surgery.
Here are some gallbladder surgery complications and side effects that the surgery can lead to.
- Inability to digest fat in the saturated and hydrogenated form.
- Inability to consume certain foods.
- Severe and chronic pain on the right side of the abdomen.
- Diarrhea
- Varying degrees of cramps
- Nausea
- Less secretion of bile leading to problems in digestion
- Bloating and gas
- Shoulder pain
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Breathing difficulty
- Bile stone formation
- Injury to the bile duct
The recovery phase after a gallbladder removal surgery is not exactly pain free or without other problems. And even though life expectancy after the surgery is high, the profusion of so many side effects makes it a risky surgery. Thus, life after gallbladder removal is not as easy as it seems.
Diet After Gallbladder Removal
Of all the aspects, the main thing that needs to be taken into consideration is the fact that an important portion of the digestive system has been surgically removed and therefore, there are several digestion problems that could arise. It is due to this that a regimented diet has to be administered.
Let us get into a little more detail about the kind of diet that you should be following.
- Drink plenty of water which helps to flush out all the toxins. But make sure that the water is boiled or filtered.
- Avoid saturated fat and high carb foods.
- Eat natural, high fiber and organic foods.
- Avoid having white sugar and starchy foods.
- Include eggs, soups and salads as well as dairy products like yogurt, cheese and spreads.
- Include only lean meats, grilled fish and chicken without the fat.
- Include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
- Include only natural oils like olive and flax seed oil. Avoid high fatty oils at all costs.
- Add spices like turmeric, cumin, ginger and garlic. All these have medicinal properties and therefore aid in digestion as well as prevent any stomach problems from emerging.
- Along with taking a special effort in including certain foods in your diet, it is equally important to avoid certain foods. Consult your doctor to get a clear understanding of the kind of foods that you need to avoid.
Life after gallbladder removal is not easy and therefore, many doctors try and correct the gallbladder diseases with alternative methods than by using surgery as an option. If you do have gallbladder problems, then make sure that you consult your doctor and chart out all the possible options before choosing to go in for surgery.
