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Cholecystectomy Side Effects

A cholecystectomy is a operation that is performed when the gallbladder is infected or inflamed. During a cholecystectomy, the gallbladder is completely removed from the body. It is a relatively safe surgery with mild side effects in most cases.

  1. Pain

    • Pain will be felt following a cholecystectomy for several days or a few weeks. If pain persists longer or becomes more severe, you should contact your doctor.

    Diarrhea

    • While your gallbladder is not a necessary part of the digestive system, removing it may trigger episodes of diarrhea. Diarrhea may persist for a week or longer in some cases. The Mayo Clinic advises that a few people may experience chronic diarrhea for years following the procedure.

    Upset Stomach

    • Some patients may experience nausea and vomiting for a time following gallbladder surgery.

    Complications

    • Possible complications following a cholecystectomy include bleeding, blood clots, infection, pancreatitis and pneumonia. These complications will likely require a longer hospital stay and aggressive medical treatment.

    Side Effect Treatment

    • Nausea and vomiting may be treated with anti-nausea medications. Diarrhea may be treated with anti-diarrheal medications.

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