Explains Laparoscopic Surgeon Dr Amita Jain
The gallbladder, a small pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver, plays a crucial role in our digestive system. It stores bile produced by the liver. When required, it releases bile through ducts into the small intestine, aiding fat digestion in meals. Sometimes gallstones can form due to excessive accumulation of bile salts, cholesterol, and bilirubin often leading to gallbladder removal.
A gallbladder removal or cholecystectomy is usually performed for this reason. While this procedure is common and often alleviates painful symptoms, it can bring about changes in digestion that individuals should be aware of. India’s top laparoscopic surgeon for gallbladder Dr Amita Jain delves deep into the topic.
What is the Role of Gall Bladder in Digestion?
Dr. Jain explains when we consume fatty foods, our gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine. Bile helps emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller particles that enzymes can easily digest. This process aids the body in absorbing essential nutrients from fats.
Digestive Changes Post-Gallbladder Removal
After the gallbladder removal, bile is no longer stored and released in the same way. Instead, it flows directly from the liver into the small intestine through bile ducts. While the body can still digest fats, the absence of a gallbladder can lead to adjustments in digestion:
Fat Digestion
Some individuals might experience difficulty digesting fatty foods initially. Without the gallbladder’s concentrated release of bile, the process of breaking down fats might be less efficient.
Postcholecystectomy Diarrhoea
After the gallbladder removal, some people may face recurring diarrhea, termed post-cholecystectomy diarrhea. This occurs due to unregulated bile flow into the small intestine due to the absence of the gall bladder, causing frequent watery stools. However, this issue gradually improves over time.
Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction
Sometimes, patients experience continuous upper abdominal pain following gallbladder removal. This is known as the Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), a functional gastrointestinal disorder, that occurs when the sphincter of Oddi valve present in the small intestine doesn’t relax properly, causing pain lasting over 30 minutes that may extend to the back or shoulder.
This prevents the bile and pancreatic juices from entering the small intestine. Treatment involves medication or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Constipation
Some patients may even experience temporary constipation due to the effect of the pain medications taken post-cholecystectomy.
Stone stuck in the Bile Duct
After gallbladder surgery, a gallstone might stay in the bile duct, causing bile flow blockage to the small intestine. This causes post-surgery symptoms like pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, bloating, and jaundice. Additional treatment may be required to eliminate these retained bile duct gallstones.
Dietary Changes
- Avoid high-fat, fried, and greasy foods for at least a week after surgery. Instead, opt for low-fat foods or fat-free foods.
- Avoid foods like beans, broccoli, and milk that cause bloating.
- Eat small frequent meals during the day.
- Consume low-fat dairy products like skimmed milk or low-fat yogurt.
- Increase your fiber intake slowly to aid your digestion process. Add soluble fibers like oats and barley to your diet.
- Gradually reduce caffeine intake to ease stomach acid production, bloating, and pain.
While adjusting to these changes might require some patience and dietary modifications, many individuals continue to enjoy a healthy and satisfying diet after the procedure. Hence, it is advisable to consult your doctor for your optimal digestive well-being.
Dr Amita Jain is a surgeon with highest degree of professional competence, precision and surgical craftsmanship. Performed all complicated general surgery procedures with in depth knowledge of invasive and few minimal invasive and onco surgical techniques. Underwent special training in trauma, executed various trauma-related complex life-saving neurosurgical procedures, reconstructed injured mangled limbs and performed vascular and reconstructive procedures with critical care.
Dr Amita Jain holds 28 plus years of rich experience in Trauma and General Laparoscopic Surgeries (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor Surgery of at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. In 1994 she was commissioned as Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior Consultant, (Speciality: General and Laparoscopic Surgeon) at Artemis Lite Hospital, New Delhi