More than 1.2 million people a year in America have their gallbladders removed in a procedure known as a cholecystectomy. Even though these people have had a functioning organ removed, they still continue to live their lives relatively normally.
But how?
At New Life Medical in Bakersfield, California, Dr. Nirav Naik has performed thousands of successful gallbladder surgeries. Here’s what you should know about how you can live without your gallbladder.
A part of your digestive system, your gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ that sits under your liver. It stores and releases bile, which is a fluid the liver produces to help digest fats in the food you eat each day. The gallbladder is connected to other parts of the digestive system with bile ducts.
Problems with your gallbladder can arise if you develop gallstones that block your bile ducts or if your gallbladder becomes inflamed — a condition known as cholecystitis, often due to a gallstone that keeps bile from exiting. Symptoms include pain in your abdomen and right shoulder, bloating, and nausea.
The solution for most gallbladder issues that don’t improve over time is to remove the organ with a cholecystectomy. Dr. Naik performs this surgery with minimally invasive, state-of-the-art robotic and laparoscopic equipment and techniques. Many patients even go home the same day as their surgery.
Your gallbladder is a nonessential organ, which means your body can function just fine without it. Instead of the bile being stored in the gallbladder, your liver releases it directly to your small intestine when it’s needed. The bile still does its job, but you just don’t get as much of it at once after a meal.
Your body may take some time to adjust to this change. When you’ve had your gallbladder removed, you should avoid eating large amounts of fatty, greasy foods and high-fiber foods so your body has time to digest the food as the bile is slowly released. You may experience some gas, bloating, and diarrhea if you eat too much fatty food at once.
A couple of strategies to help:
Listening to your body throughout this process is very important. It tells you when you need to slow down and moderate your diet.
If you’re struggling with gallbladder problems, our expert team at New Life Medical can help. Get started by calling us at 661-230-7344 to schedule an appointment.
