Do people who have had their gallbladder removed have a harder time digesting fats?

Answer 1

No, the fats now are so refined, the gallbladder is not needed. I have no problems at all with no Gallbladder.

Answer 2

The gallbladder is a storage organ. Bile, which is made by the liver to help emulsify fatty foods into the generally watery mix of material in the gut, is stored between meals in the gallbladder, which absorbs some water out of the bile and makes it more concentrated. When the gallbladder is removed, bile continues to be made by the liver at a relatively constant rate (about 800 cc per day - more or less) and it pressurizes the bile duct till it defeats the sphincter at the end, and flows into the gut. The bile duct, in people who are missing a gallbladder, is slightly larger in diameter due to constant pressurization. Most importantly, though, the bile that enters into the intestine is no longer concentrated, and it no longer comes out in waves that go along with meals. It just trickles in all day long.

Some people have fat-related diarrhea just after having their gallbladder out, but this typically resolves by itself wthin a couple of weeks. Thats about as bad as it gets. Most people have no problem at all.

In some people, because of one of several possible problems, bile may need to be diverted to a drain for some period of time. If no bile gets into the gut, there can be a problem with absorption of some fats or fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). In people who are "acholic" (no bile is going into the gut) the stools are actually silvery white! Bile turns out to be most of the color in your poop. Remember, however, bile isn't involved in actually breaking down fats or absorbing them, instead it just keeps stuff mixed together so that the enzymes which are mostly in the water, or are hydrophilic in nature, can contact the fatty material over a maximal surface area.

Some people have chronic pancreatitis, or lose a large amount of pancreas due to disasterous illness. These people can become deficient in pancreatic enzymes including lipase. Lipase is an enzyme which is largely responsible for the digestion of fat. These patients will have very poor fat and fat soluble nutrient absorption. The condition of low pancreatic enzymes is treatable with an enzyme containing pill called "pancrease".

Answer 3

other posters claim they don't, but the question to ask them is:

are you overweight or store your body fat in the middle?

i don't notice an issue with fatty foods other than weight.

anotherwords, there is no pain, but there is extra weight. and it's harder to take off!

the other issue is why the gallbladder issue to begin with....most people do not understand that those with gallbladder issues/stones could be a sign of liver disease.

get checked!

Answer 4

i had my gallbladder out 3 years ago and certain foods set me off with diarrhea.. sour cream///mayonaise; yogurt on an empty stomach soem others.. make me run for the bathroom within 30 mins of eatign them, plus if i eat greasy food its a problem... most everythign else im ok with but these few thigns...
awful lol

Answer 5

I had mine removed over a year ago. I have no problems, in fact I feel better now that it's been removed.

Answer 6

mine has been out 4 years and I dont - gall bladder just stores doesnt digest

Answer 7

Not as much as I did when I had it! It helps regulate bile, and I think I have a bigger problem with indigestion since my surgery.

Answer 8

no, it's a useless organ, so if you get it taken out, you will be fine, just one less organ in your body.

Answer 9

dont know but when they eat they have to go soon

Answer 10

nope, no problems at all.