According to Mayo Clinic.com, a cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. The gallbladder stores bile until it is needed for digestion. Gallbladder removal may be needed in patients suffering pain from gallstones that block the flow of bile. According to Merck.com, Postcholecystectomy syndrome occurs in about 5 to 40 percent of patients. Postcholecystectomy syndrome is the occurrence of abdominal symptoms following gallbladder removal.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can result from gall bladder removal. According to MayoClinic.com, diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms seen post gallbladder removal surgery. Diarrhea occurs because the body takes some time to adjust to the constant flow of bile to the intestine, resulting from the removal of the gall bladder. MayoClinic.com recommends the use of cholestyramine with water to combat diarrhea. Cholestyramine absorbs and binds bile salts, helping to improve the diarrhea problem.
Nausea
According to ctsurgical.com, gallbladder removal can result in the patient experiencing nausea. Nausea is caused by the consumption of the liquid foods. In some patients, nausea may even interfere in the consumption of liquid foods. Patients are advised to consult a physician for remedies. Anesthesia given for the surgery is also one of the causes for nausea.
Chronic Abdominal Pain
Gallbladder removal results in chronic abdominal pain. According to ctsurgical.com, chronic abdominal pain can occur in the upper abdomen that can last from 15 minutes to several hours. Patients can also experience pain in the back, between the shoulder blades or under the right shoulder. Pain may occur after consumption of high fat meals. The pain can also be due to the presence of residual carbon dioxide gas in the abdomen. This residual carbon dioxide sometimes moves to the right shoulder and results in severe pain in such patients.
Papillary Stenosis
According to Merck.com, papillary stenosis may occur before or after gallbladder removal. Papillary stenosis, a disturbance of a muscular valve known as the sphincter of Oddi, prevents the release of bile or pancreatic fluids into the duodenum in response to the food entering duodenum. Papillary stenosis can be treated with drugs or surgically.
