You might have questions if your doctor recommended gallbladder removal:

What are the risks for my other organs if I go through with gallbladder removal?  
Will my eating habits need to change?  
How different will my digestion and body feel?  

The short answer is yes, you can live without your gallbladder. Gallbladder removal or cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries, and the majority of people undergo this surgery and go on to live an everyday life. Although it may be the case that you will not die without a gallbladder, it certainly means you will have to make adjustments. It takes time for your body to adjust, and you will likely have to change your diet and daily routine a bit in order to maintain balance.

Let’s split it up into parts: What is the importance of the gallbladder and its roles? What happens to the body when it is removed, and what steps can be taken to ensure minimal hassle when transitioning without a gallbladder? 

What’s All The Fuss About Gallbladders? 

The gallbladders are involved in digestion. Would you also believe that they are involved in an organ function to store bile? Bile is a fluid secreted by the liver, and the gallbladders are involved in storing bile. 

This is what happens:

• Bile is created in the liver, and it helps separate out the fats obtained through the intake of food.
• The gallbladder concentrates bile and stores it until it is time to eat. The waiting period is until the intake of fatty foods.
• During eating, the gallbladder contracts, produces loads of bile and chucks it all into the small intestine to help with digestion. 

If you do not have a gallbladder, the organ used for storage is lost. You do not need to think too much about worrying, though, because in place of the gallbladder is a constant drip of bile from the liver into the intestines. Thus, your body will have to adjust to new ways of digesting fats:

Can You Live A Healthy Life Without A Gallbladder?

As someone who has undergone gallbladder surgery (or is planning to get one soon), you might be asking yourself these questions: How will I adjust? Will my body feel any different? Is saying goodbye to my favourite meals inevitable?  

In answer to that, the good news is that most people eventually habituate without feeling much difference. That being said, some degree of variability in digestive processes in the initial stages is nothing out of the ordinary. The body simply needs time to adjust to the absence of the gallbladder as the bile reservoir.  

What Might Change?  

• Having the Ups and Downs: Some people experience bloating, gas, or discomfort after meals, especially during the initial weeks after surgery.  
• Enhanced Sensitivity to Fat: Unlike before, without a gallbladder, bile is not released as needed. It simply trickles out into the intestines, which makes high-fat meals slightly harder to break down.  
• Altered Bowel Movements: Some people experience frequent loose stools or an increase in the number of bowel movements, but this resolves eventually as the body learns.

Did You Know? 
In the United States alone, gallbladders are surgically excised roughly 700,000 times a year! This procedure is one of the most common surgeries around the world.

How To Adjust Your Diet

Your diet has a considerable effect on how your body adapts to living without a gallbladder. Here, the aim is to eat in a way that aids the body’s digestion without putting too much strain on it. 

What You Should Eat

• Small, more frequent meals: In general, medium-sized light meals are easier to digest than large, heavy meals. 
• Healthy fats: Fried food should be replaced with healthy fats, like those in avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds. 
• Fibre-rich foods: Foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables help moderate digestion and prevent constipation. 
• Plenty of water: Staying hydrated is important to ensure that a well-functioning digestive tract operates smoothly. 

What To Avoid

• Fried & greasy foods: With no gallbladder, fried and greasy foods are usually hard to digest and create discomfort. 
• Spicy foods: Some people post-surgery are prone to digestive issues, and adding spices to the mix complicates the issue. 
• Foods with a high percentage of fat: Snacks and junk food typically lead to bloating and a hard time digesting food.

Did You Know?
The gallbladder is absent in some animals, such as deer or horses. Their livers bypass storing bile in the gall bladder and deposit it into the intestines, similar to a condition in which a human has undergone gall bladder removal.

Any Lasting Negative Effects? 

Most people deal with few to no lasting effects post-gallbladder surgery, but here are a few things to look out for:

• Sensitivity to Digestion: Some individuals may encounter issues digesting some types of foods, particularly those that are fatty. 
• Bile Duct Stones: Even though a gall bladder is not in place, there are rare instances where bile can still get blocked from flowing, forming stones.
• Changes in Weight: There are people who have reported losing weight after changing their diet. In contrast, some people gain weight if they start relying on carbs instead of healthy fats. 

Post-Surgery Recovery Suggestions

After surgery, patients are able to go back to their usual routines after 2 to 4 weeks. In fact, light physical activities such as walking help with digestion and alleviate the discomfort that accompanies surgery. 

Take it easy for the first few weeks and focus on light movements. While walking is great for destressing, lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous exercises should be avoided.

Slow movements are key. If certain activities cause pain, taking a step back is best.

Stay active! Consistent exercise improves the functioning of both the metabolism and digestion systems.

Read on to learn more about Post-Gallbladder surgery lifestyle changes in detail.

Did You Know?
The condition of having gallstones, which is one of the primary reasons a gallbladder is removed, appears to be more prominent in women who have had children or are over the age of 40 years.

Post-Gallbladder Surgery Lifestyle Changes

Some people’s recovery unfolds effortlessly, while others may face a few ‘digestive’ bumps. Regardless, diet and lifestyle changes can be made to ensure ease of transition. Let’s go through important surgery-influenced lifestyle modifications that propel you to peak wellness.

Gradual Reintroduction Of Foods

There is bound to be a change in the digestive system, so there is a need to ease into an attempt to eat different foods. Post-surgery, the body may struggle with breaking down fats, so starting with less complex options is a good plan. 

Encouraging Foods To Start Off With

• Vegetable Soups
• Unseasoned Rice
• Mashed Potatoes
• Bread Slices
• Cooked Vegetables
• Fruits like Bananas or Applesauce

As the body begins adapting, a wider range of foods can be slowly incorporated with close monitoring of how you react to different foods. 

Exercise And Weight Management

Engaging in physical activities is one thing you can do to enhance your health and wellness after undergoing surgery. Movement will help get your digestive system working, manage weight, and maintain energy levels.

Best Activities For A Gentle Recovery

• A Slow Walk (You can increase intensity over time)
• Light swimming
• Yoga (Gentle stretching and breathing can help with digestion). If you need expert guidance to navigate the world of yoga, contact Nirva Health for online sessions.
• Low-impact cardio (If cleared by the doctor)

You can start incorporating a more active routine into your lifestyle over time, but remember to be kind to yourself—your body is going through recovery.

Follow-Up Appointments Matter!

The doctor is not just being overly cautious—these follow-ups are important! Seeing a healthcare professional helps rule out recovery difficulties, complications, or problems with bile duct markers, along with check-ups on overall health.

Do ensure that you express freely about all symptoms that you may experience so that proper attention can be directed to your concerns.  

Did You Know? 
There is a change in digestion for approximately 20-40% of people who undergo gallbladder removal surgery, but the majority improve over time and with dietary changes.

When To Seek Medical Advice

Recognising the delicate signs in your body is crucial, even if you’re one of the individuals who recover smoothly. Always have your doctor’s number handy if you experience any of the following:

• Severe or persistent abdominal soreness
• Uncontrolled diarrhoea that does not respond to dietary intervention
• Abrupt and unexplained weight change alongside difficulty nourishing oneself
• Jaundice (yellowish discolouration of the sclerae and skin) is a probable sign of bile duct trouble

Suffering from any of these conditions without proper attention can result in severe complications; hence, precaution is the best option.

Did You Know? 
A small percentage of people who undergo this procedure develop a complication called postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS), which leads to bloating, dyspepsia, or diarrhoea. Thankfully, these symptoms resolve with time through proper diet and lifestyle modification.

Wrapping It Up

Losing your gallbladder isn’t the worst possible scenario. In fact, it is the beginning of a healthier and more active lifestyle! Sure, there will be some rough patches as your body acclimates to the changes, but guess what? You can do it! Having some patience and making smarter dietary choices keeps one active and full of life. Soon enough, one realises that life with or without a gallbladder makes no difference.

Look at it as an opportunity to hit the reset button for your health and well-being. Listen to what the body requires, nourish it with the right kind of food and embrace the change as an opportunity to feel amazing. Things can feel a bit off track, and that’s okay; reaching out to a doctor is always worth extra care.

So, take on every challenge that comes your way with absolute certainty! The body is strong, and you are more than capable of just adapting. This is your journey, so own it!