Chronic diarrhea: A concern after gallbladder removal?

Surgery to remove the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy, often can lead to diarrhea. Some research has found that about half of people who have this surgery may develop diarrhea.

The cause of diarrhea after gallbladder removal isn’t clear. It may be due to more bile acids going into the large intestine, and that can act as a laxative. In most cases, diarrhea stops soon after surgery. Sometimes it may last longer. Rarely, diarrhea after gallbladder removal can last for years.

Generally, mild diarrhea after gall bladder removal is not cause for concern. But medical care is recommended when diarrhea:

• Contains blood or pus.
• Wakes you from sleep.
• Lasts more than four weeks after surgery.

Medical care also is recommended if you have diarrhea after surgery and you:

• Are losing weight.
• Develop a fever.
• Have serious belly pain.

In these situations, tests might be needed to see what could be causing diarrhea.

Treatments that may help manage diarrhea after the gallbladder is removed include:

• Antidiarrheal medicines, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D).
• Medicines that take bile acids out of the body, such as cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, others).

Limiting some foods also may help ease diarrhea, including:

• Caffeine.
• Dairy products.
• Greasy foods.
• Very sweet foods.