What are the consequences of having ones gall bladder removed, and what is the best solution for gall stones?

What are the consequences of having ones gall bladder removed, and what is the best solution for gall stones?

Stones often form in the gallbladder when bile deposits harden due to high cholesterol content, too much bilirubin or the bile becoming concentrated. While some people suffer from tremendous pain from gallstones, others experience no symptoms at all. Most doctors would suggest surgical removal of the organ only if the patient is suffering from acute or chronic gallbladder inflammation, severe pain or other such complications.

The gallbladder is a part of the biliary tract and aids digestion by storing bile, a brownish-yellow alkaline fluid secreted by the liver, however, it is an organ that you can easily live without. So if medications alone fail to provide relief to a patient, surgery is the next best option since gallstones don’t go away on their own. Additionally, if left untreated, it can lead to cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder), pancreatitis (an inflamed pancreas) or Cholangitis (inflamed bile ducts).

Gallbladder removal is a fairly common surgery and can be performed traditionally or laparoscopically (allowing for same day hospital discharge). While there are no long term ramifications of the procedure, slight changes in digestion may require you to alter your diet to exclude high-fat foods. You may also be advised to eat smaller, frequent meals instead of large 2 or 3 meals.

There are also no serious side-effects from the operation, other than the risks associated with all surgeries – short-term constipation, risk of infection and post-operative pain.