Gallbladder removal surgery, also called cholecystectomy, is carried out in people who have recurring gallbladder problems such as gallstones or gallbladder disease. Some people with gall stones experience repeated episodes of gallbladder attack, which causes intense pain. Gallstones can also cause chronic infection of the gallbladder. When these problems lead to continuous pain and other symptoms, gallbladder removal surgery is typically the preferred solution.
Preparing for gallbladder surgery usually requires a fully array of blood tests, as well as several x-rays to determine the location of any stones in the gallbladder. People undergoing surgery will usually be asked to stop taking certain medications and stop smoking up to a week before surgery. They will also be asked to not eat or drink the night before.
Open gallbladder surgery means that a large incision is made in the abdominal wall, through which the gallbladder is removed. People who undergo this surgery will experience pain in the shoulders and abdomen afterward, and may need to stay in hospital for up to a week to recover. Other possible symptoms during recovery include indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. There is also a risk of infection in the incision site.
When gallbladder removal surgery is performed using the laparoscopic method, pain is minimal after surgery, and recovery is much faster. This type of surgery requires four very small incisions in the abdominal wall, and is much less invasive than open surgery. While people who undergo open gallbladder surgery require several weeks to recover, patients can usually resume normal activities within just one week after laparoscopic surgery. Most people who undergo laparoscopic gallbladder surgery can go home the day after surgery.
Gallbladder removal surgery is not a trivial surgery, because of the possible long-term consequences of removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a storage sac for bile, which is secreted when fat enters the small intestine, to aid in digestion. In the absence of a gallbladder bile continually drips into the intestine, which can cause chronic irritation and may cause diarrhea. In the long-term this chronic irritation leads to a slightly increased risk of colon cancer.
A diet low in fat and high in fiber can reduce bile production and reduce the effects of gallbladder surgery. This is because dietary fat stimulates the production of bile acids. In addition, eating more plant-based foods, including high-fiber foods, helps protect the bowel by deactivating bile acids.
