I have had my gall bladder removed and I want to replace the funtion of the gall bladder.?

Question

I don't exactly know what happens to a person when the GB is removed. And how the body will live without it. And what will be a long term effect from the removall.

Answer 1

The gallbladder serves as a reservoir for bile.  Without it, bile will be released into the digestive tract constantly, instead of periodically.  Most folks do fine without it.  A few will have periodic diarrhea from the constant flow of bile.  Your surgeon will fill you in on the most common risks and benefits before you sign your informed consent.  Write down any questions you think of before you talk to him/her so you don't forget.   There really is no way at the moment to replace the function of the gall bladder once it is removed, but it's removal does not affect the production of bile which is necessary for the digestion of fats.

Answer 2

The gall bladder stores bile, and releases it  when needed, typically after eating food, especially when that food is higher in fats.  When you have gallstones, the gall bladder cannot contract and work properly, giving rise most commonly to attacks of pain.  The entire gall bladder is removed,not the stone, in those circumstances, as the risks of opening the gall bladder to remove the stone and then closing it are huge, as bile is very toxic and damaging to your abdominal contents.

When the gall bladder is removed, the liver takes over its function.  The channels that usually just drain the bile dilate up a bit and also start to store it and release it as needed.  Most people feel no different after having their gall bladder removed.  A few have problems, including diarrhoea after eating, and these problems are usually managed successfully with medication or dietary manipulation.  About 1% of people can form another stone even after the gall bladder is removed, in the common bile duct.  This can cause a recurrence of the same pain that the gallstones caused originally.  This is usually treated with a procedure done via a scope through the mouth and stomach called an ERCP, where the offending stone is usually snared by sophisticated instruments and removed without a need for the person to undergo surgery. Unfortunately, we cannot yet remove gallstones themselves this way.