This change affects digestion in ways many patients aren’t warned about. For most people, the body adapts over time. But for a significant number, problems emerge—sometimes months or even years after surgery.
3 Diseases That May Follow Gallbladder Removal
Let’s get specific. These are the conditions that research shows are more common in people who’ve had their gallbladders removed.
1. Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome (PCS)
This is the most common complication nobody talks about.
Post-cholecystectomy syndrome refers to the return of gallbladder-like symptoms after the organ is already gone. We’re talking abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and nausea—the very things you hoped surgery would fix.
Why does this happen?
Several reasons. Sometimes, a small gallstone was left behind in the bile duct. Other times, bile flowing continuously irritates the lining of the intestines. And in some cases, the sphincter of Oddi (a small muscular valve that controls bile flow) goes into spasm because it’s confused without the gallbladder regulating pressure.