Gallbladder removal, also known as cholecystectomy, is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide. Doctors usually recommend the surgery for patients suffering from gallstones, inflammation, infection, or severe pain caused by gallbladder disease. While many patients recover successfully and continue living normal lives, medical experts say it is important to understand how the body changes after the gallbladder is removed.
The gallbladder is a small organ located beneath the liver. Its primary function is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats in the foods people eat. When the gallbladder is removed, bile no longer has a storage place and instead flows directly from the liver into the intestines. Although the body can adapt over time, this change may lead to several digestive problems in some individuals.
