Bariatric surgery has potential risks associated. Specifically, I want to discuss and define one such risk: gallbladder problems that can result post operatively.
Here at LoneStar Bariatrics, Dr Carlton has performed thousands of bariatric surgeries and has extensive knowledge and experience with gallbladder diseases.
The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile and plays an important role in food digestion. Bile breaks down, digests and emulsifies fats. The gallbladder has a smooth muscle thus the muscle contracts to eject bile when someone eats.
When the gallbladder muscle contracts, bile is released into the small intestine. The bile then works to break down fatty foods such as fried food, cheese, processed meats and oils.
Understanding the importance and significance of the gallbladder and bile, we want to provide some facts and warning signs.
Often the symptoms vary and range from post op nausea, vomiting and / or abdominal pain; however, these are inconsistent and can present at any time. Although, most commonly these symptoms occur 6 months post operatively.
Unfortunately, I heard patients state “my problems have gone undiagnosed or missed diagnosed for months.” The literature reports a varied range of gallbladder disease after bariatric surgery. Statistically, problems can occur as infrequently as 3% but range up to 30%.
Given the wide range of symptoms, we encourage you to take note and be proactive with any concerns.
The four most common causes for gallbladder problems occurring in order are:
- dysfunctional or biliary dyskinesia
- cholecystitis
- gallstones
- cholesterolosis
Biliary dyskinesia simply means gallbladder failure. This failure can cause dilation thus becoming less effective at contracting and ejecting bile. Once dilated, the bile becomes thicker and more viscous. The bile forms a sludge and does not easily flow. The backed up bile sludge will clog the duct causing the symptoms mentioned above.
Gallstones are cholesterol deposits that result from morbid obesity, genetics and family history, fatty foods and rapid weight loss. The gallstones can clog the duct like sludge and lead to nausea, vomiting and fevers.
Cholecystitis is an inflammatory condition. This can be acute or chronic and lead to fevers and chills. This may warrant IV antibiotics and hospitalization.
Cholesterolosis is a condition when cholesterol accumulates in the wall of the gallbladder. The wall becomes firm and rigid. If this occurs, the muscle cannot contract thus cannot eject bile.
Any or all of these can directly impact the pancreas. Since the gallbladder duct, known as the cystic duct, connects to the pancreatic duct, the sludge, stones or inflammation could cause pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas.
Pancreatitis can be severe and lead to rapid and extreme symptoms of high fevers, pain and bleeding since the pancreas has significant blood vessels associated.
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