How does gallbladder removal affect gut health, do I need a Colonoscopy to find out?
I had my gallbladder removed about a decade ago and want to make sure I maintain a healthy digestive system as I age. Is there anything specific I should be worried about? Should I be following a special diet or taking supplements for this after all these years?
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You understand and agree that use of the Website does not in any way create or establish a physician-patient privilege or physician-patient relationship between you and any Medical Professional Member. You should recognize that the information provided on the Website (including past questions and answers and articles posted on the site) is provided for your general information. These materials should not be relied on as medical advice and reading and reviewing them is not a substitute for direct consultation with a medical professional about a specific medical problem.
Without limiting the foregoing, you understand and agree that submitting a Free Question or receiving an answer to a Free Question does not in any way create or establish an physician-patient relationship between you and any Medical Professional Member, or between you and us. The information and answers provided in response to Free Questions is intended to be generic medical information, not medical advice, and is based upon the very limited information provided by you in a Free Question. Specific medical advice can only be given with full knowledge of all of the facts and circumstances of your situation. If you are currently being treated by a doctor, that doctor is the best person to give you advice about a medical case or medical matter. Under no circumstances should the information obtained on this site be used to make decisions about the quality of service provided by a doctor or about the proper course of a medical matter.
You should have your regular screening Colonoscopy.
It does increase the levels of the juice (bile acids) in the gut. This juice is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. This juice could irritate your colon and give you diarrhea. Very common condition after taking the gallbladder out and it is called post cholecystectomy diarrhea. We don’t need Colonoscopy to diagnose it but need medication to bind the bile salts called Questran.