Weight loss and gall bladder surgery

I have been having trouble losing weight i found out that i might need to get gall bladder remove will i gain or lose weight if i get this surgery
(October 15, 2010)

The gallbladder in the human body is primarily a small pear shaped organ that is concerned with the storage and concentration of bile that is produced by the liver. The body uses this bile to emulsify fats and neutralize acids in partly digested foods. However, while the organ does play an important role in the entire digestive process of the human body, it is known to be rather prone to a number of illnesses that could cause a significant amount of distress to the affected individual. The development of ‘gallstones’ is probably the most common of all conditions affecting the gallbladder and is primarily a situation in which the bile contains within the organ tends to harden to form semi solid objects. The condition is known to be more of a common occurrence in women over the age of 40, with obese individuals at a much higher risk.


While some of the stones are likely to pass out of the body naturally, the bigger ones may tend to cause a blockage so severe that it may be an absolute necessity to have the gallbladder removed surgically. You doctor will decide whether it would be best to treat the gallbladder problems you are suffering from or whether you should have a gallbladder surgery. It is important to understand the health care measures you would need to take after a gall bladder surgery to avoid further complications.   

Before getting into the details of what to expect after gall bladder surgery, it is important to understand the procedure as well as the changes that it is going to make to your lifestyle. Having an understanding of the various symptoms that are likely to be prominent when affected by gallbladder problems will help you diagnose the problem much faster, thereby also allowing you to treat the condition earlier in its development stages. The most prominent symptom of the condition happens to be an acute and intense pain in the abdominal cavity that appears to be even more intense after eating any foods that contain carbohydrates or fats.

While gallbladder is a surefire way of getting rid of a large part of the discomfort and symptoms that the patient is likely to be experiencing at the time, there are a number of gall bladder surgery side effects that one may also need to prepare him or herself for. Although these complications are rather rare, there is always the likelihood that a patient may suffer from excessive bleeding, infection of the area as well as an accidental injury to the duct that helps in the transportation of bile from the gallbladder to the stomach.

Because of the fact that the gallbladder plays a huge role in the digestion of certain foods, after gall bladder surgery it is very important to have a clear understanding of post gall bladder surgery diet. Internally, the body is no longer able to store any bile in between meals – resulting in the direct flow of bile into the intestine anytime that the liver produces it. While there is still the availability of bile to be mixed with the food, the quantity available is significantly lower than previously. Some of the more beneficial foods after gall bladder surgery include lemon juice and vinegar as the acid content helps break down the fatty acids in digestive bile.

You should also try mixing a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a glass of water and consume this solution on a regular morning and evening basis. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables substantially as they are likely to not only aid in the digestion of other foods, but also help in the cleansing of the stomach while also replenishing the body’s reserves of nutrients. Some of the foods that it is highly recommended that you avoid include any foods that contain some amount of animal fat. Foods that have a high carbohydrate content or even chocolate and dairy should be avoided.

Weight loss or weight gain would largely depend on your physiology. Most of the people experience weight los after this surgery but some also experience weight gain. However for some people their weight remains constant with no noted changes.

It is essential to follow a low fat diet after having your gall bladder removed to avoid weight gain. This is because the amount of bile secreted from the gall bladder to digest fat in the body is compromised completely.