5 Reasons For Weight Gain After Gallbladder Removal - Gallbladder Attack (2023)

For many, cholecystectomy, or removal of the gallbladder, is the only promise of relief from all gallbladder pain and problems. This makes the procedure one of the most frequently performed operations. With the development of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the decision to do so has become even easier. Due to its less invasive nature, healing and recovery times are much quicker, with most patients leaving the hospital and returning to their normal lives in no time. But just when they think all their worries are over, many face a new type of challenge: weight gain after gallbladder removal.

Weight gain after gallbladder removal

The fear of gaining a few kilos is widespread, especially during the New Year holidays. Unfortunately, many people with gallbladder problems, including those who have had a cholecystectomy, struggle year-round with weight gain after gallbladder removal. You could be one of many waiting to know why. Some causes are directly related to the surgery, while others are less simple. To help you understand the problem of weight gain during recovery from gallbladder surgery or even long after the procedure, we have researched and listed five possible causes of weight gain after gallbladder removal.

1. metabolic changes
2. Faulty lipid metabolism and digestion
3. Diet
4. inflammation
5. insulin resistance

metabolic changes

Although surgical removal of the gallbladder is not as disabling as the removal of other organs, its absence can still have a significant impact on our body. There are numerous postoperative changes that alter the body's metabolic and digestive processes and result in weight gain after gallbladder removal.

In some animal studies, cholecystectomy has been shown to cause elevated blood and liver triglyceride levels and the production of VLDL (bad cholesterol). It also increases bile acid recirculation rates, resulting in increased tissue exposure to bile acids. This affects energy balance, body weight, glucose levels and insulin sensitivity. Removal of the gallbladder further increases the secretion rates of bile acids and cholesterol. These changes in the body suggest that people who have had their gallbladder removed are at increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome and other complications, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and fatty deposits in the liver.

Faulty lipid metabolism and digestion

When the gallbladder is not working properly, the quality of the bile produced and circulated is significantly affected. It can get too thick or turn into mucus and cause stagnation. Over time, this can lead to gallstones, which can make it difficult for the gallbladder to empty. When this happens, the body fails to absorb much-needed fats and fat-soluble vitamins. To deal with less fat, our body goes into starvation mode and preserves and retains the fat it already has. This can be a reason for weight gain in people with gallbladder problems.

For those who have had a cholecystectomy, the body still undergoes drastic changes. Without the regulatory function of the gallbladder, bile is released slowly and steadily into the small intestine. The bile produced by the body may be insufficient in quantity or too diluted to do its job efficiently, leading to poor digestion and poor fat metabolism. In addition to weight gain, this can also manifest itself in the form of diarrhea or constipation.

Diet

Diet plays an important role when it comes to weight control. Regardless of whether a person has gallbladder problems or not, eating much more than what their body needs will definitely lead to weight gain. This is common in patients who have had their gallbladder removed. In a study of cholecystectomy patients, 75% of patients gained weight just a few months after surgery. In other studies, they found that women were more likely to gain weight after gallbladder removal.

Here are some assumptions from research as to why this is happening:

1. Patients tend to make efforts to lose weight in preparation for surgery and fail to maintain weight loss once the initial goal has been achieved.
2. At the beginning, many of the operated patients were overweight.
3. Patients could not restrict themselves to a healthy diet and consume unhealthy fats as they used to. Many patients also eat high-fat foods that they previously could not eat due to gallbladder problems. They end up eating more calories than they need. This attitude can be caused by the idea that removing your gallbladder will solve all your problems. However, this is not the case.

inflammation

Although inflammation is not a direct result of gallbladder removal, it is still a common cause of weight gain in patients who have had a cholecystectomy. There are many ways that inflammation can disrupt homeostasis, or the normal balance of our bodies, as evidenced by numerous studies linking chronic inflammation to weight gain.

Inflammation makes leptin, the "weight control hormone," less effective. This hormonal imbalance affects our hypothalamus, increasing our appetite and slowing down our metabolism. Inflammation in the gut also causes irregular appetite and increased sugar cravings. Inflammatory cytokines released by fat cells also cause weight gain.

sources of ignition

There are many possible causes of inflammation, not the kind that hurts, but the kind that makes you tired or depressed and makes you more prone to weight gain:

1. Diet

Gallbladder problems can be a sign that there are nutritional issues that need to be addressed. This can be caused by food allergens, too many carbohydrates, bad cholesterol, or sugar.

2. Leaky Gut

When someone has leaky gut syndrome, the walls of the small intestine become inflamed and irritated, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream and be stored in our cells. Leaky gut is also known to be the cause of many gallbladder diseases.

3. Stress

Stress triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol. This increases the "fight-or-flight" response, but can disrupt metabolism and insulin levels if cortisol levels remain high for long periods of time. Stress also plays a role in chronic inflammation and our immune system.

4. Hormonal changes and menopause

In addition to the fact that gallbladder problems often occur during perimenopause or later in life, hormonal changes also contribute to weight gain after gallbladder surgery through their role in chronic inflammation. Studies show that a decrease in estrogen is associated with an increase in inflammation-causing cytokines in the body. Cytokines play a critical role in supporting cell-to-cell communication during immune responses, but pro-inflammatory cytokines can also stimulate cell movement to sites of trauma or infection.

insulin resistance

Insulin resistance can be listed as one of the causes of inflammation. However, its prevalence (more than 80 million Americans have it) and the myriad complications it can cause require it to be listed as a separate issue that everyone should be aware of. Similar to inflammation, this is not directly caused by a cholecystectomy, but is a very common condition that can develop in the same high-risk group as gallbladder disease, probably because insulin resistance is one of the causes of gallstone formation.

Insulin resistance is a precursor to the development of type 2 diabetes and is most commonly associated with fatigue and weight gain. It's a condition in which the body's cells don't respond normally to the hormone insulin, which helps absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This leads to a build-up of sugar in the blood. High insulin levels can create feelings of lethargy and satisfy sugar and carbohydrate cravings. Insulin resistance can cause not only weight gain but also localized areas of fat growth.

In addition to the obesity threat posed by this condition, studies show that insulin-resistant women are also at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, breast cancer and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

How to avoid weight gain after gallbladder surgery

When we look at the various causes of weight gain, we can see that the common solution is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle after gallbladder removal. Dietary habits, daily habits (including rest and exercise), and general nutrition after gallbladder surgery can greatly affect postoperative recovery and quality of life. Here are some ways you can avoid the dreaded weight gain:

• Eat well and watch out for possible vitamin deficiencies.
• Reduce inflammation with supplements and avoid pro-inflammatory foods
• Take supplements that improve fat digestion
• Manage your stress levels
• Make sure you incorporate moderate exercise into your daily routine.
• Check your blood sugar level

Eating right means many things: It means eating in moderation, eating on time, and eating the right things. To lose weight, many resort to starvation and skipping meals, only to overeat a few hours or days later. However, our body doesn't work that way. Usually this only leads to weight fluctuations or rapid weight loss and subsequent weight gain. Moderation is always the key. But of course eating wrong in moderation won't do you any good. If your preoperative diet has been designed to prevent gallbladder attacks, you should treat your missing gallbladder as a condition that requires just as much care as it did before its removal. This is always the case, but even more so in the first few months after gallbladder surgery.

It also means being aware of your blood sugar levels and keeping them in balance by not letting them go too low or too high. Have your doctor check your blood sugar levels. Simply put, to balance your blood sugar you must avoid eating sugar or refined carbohydrates and eat small, frequent meals.

Make sure you have all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Some might think that eating less would automatically lead to weight loss, but deficiencies in some vitamins and minerals actually contribute to weight gain. Low levels of iron, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 can disrupt your metabolism, decrease your energy, and weaken your immune system. Stay away from processed foods high in sodium, cholesterol and sugar. Fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, few grains and lean proteins can provide us with the necessary daily dose of vitamins.

Also, given the role of inflammation in weight gain, you should strive to avoid any foods or activities that worsen or trigger inflammation. Watch out for common food allergens like gluten, dairy, soy, and peanuts. Triggering allergies causes a number of problems in addition to weight gain. Include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet like beets, fresh or dried turmeric root, coconut oil, chia seeds, and more. You can never go wrong with a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

recommended supplements

To break down fats and aid in digestion, dietary supplementsBile salts with taurine and cholinethey are highly recommended. These, along with proper diet and exercise, will help you achieve and maintain your ideal weight.

Speaking of exercise, it's best to consult a professional about the type and intensity of exercise program you should undertake. What many people don't realize is that exercise can do you more harm than good. For one thing, research shows that people who put too much stress on their bodies can negate the positive effects of exercise. Second, instead of increasing the happy hormones, the wrong kind of exercise can increase cortisol levels and contribute to stress and weight gain. When you're trying to control your stress levels, a spike like this is the last thing you need.Adaptogenic Herbs, as well as fermented B vitamins,both carry stress. To attemptmaximum voltage Bfor stress relief.

The final piece of advice for those concerned about weight gain after gallbladder removal is to monitor your blood sugar. Some patients still gain weight or have cravings after trying to control their food intake and exercise. This could be due to your blood sugar levels. To make sure you don't have insulin resistance or diabetes, get the tests you need. Natural products like chromium picolinate, banana, and turmeric have been shown to help control blood sugar levels. We've also created a dietary supplement specifically designed for those struggling with weight control, insulin resistance and other metabolic issues - we call itmetabolic symmetry🇧🇷 It is recommended for everyday use.

References:

Ali R.B., Cahill R.A. and Watson R.G.K. (2004). Weight gain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Irish Journal of Medical Science, 173(1), 9-12.

Amigo, L., Husche, C., Zanlungo, S., Lütjohann, D., Arrese, M., Miquel, J.F., … & Nervi, F. (2011). Cholecystectomy increases hepatic triglyceride content and very low-density lipoprotein production in mice. Liver International, 31(1), 52-64.

Cortés, V., Amigo, L., Zanlungo, S., Galgani, J., Robledo, F., Arrese, M., … & Nervi, F. (2015). Metabolic effects of cholecystectomy: Gallbladder ablation increases basal metabolic rate through G protein-coupled bile acid receptor-dependent mechanisms in mice. Plos one, 10(3), e0118478.

Houghton, P.W., Donaldson, L.A., Jenkinson, LR, and Crumplin, M.K. (1984). Weight gain after cholecystectomy. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition), 289 (6455), 1350.

Kwan, RMF and Mir, MA (1985). Weight gain after cholecystectomy. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition), 290 (6463), 243.