What does the gallbladder look like?

What does the gallbladder look like?

Your gallbladder sits on the right side of your belly, below your liver. It’s a small organ, shaped like a pear, that holds a fluid called bile.

What is the actual size of a gallbladder?

In adults, the gallbladder measures approximately 7 to 10 centimetres (2.8 to 3.9 inches) in length and 4 centimetres (1.6 in) in diameter when fully distended.

Why do you need gallbladder removed?

You may need gallbladder surgery if you have pain or other symptoms caused by gallstones — small stones that can form in the gallbladder. They can block the flow of bile and irritate the gallbladder. Common symptoms of gallbladder problems include: Indigestion, with bloating, heartburn, and gas.

What happens if you don’t have a gallbladder?

You can lead a perfectly normal life without a gallbladder. Your liver will still make enough bile to digest your food, but instead of being stored in the gallbladder, it drips continuously into your digestive system.

Does removing your gallbladder make you gain weight?

Post-surgery, your body acclimates to changes brought about by gallbladder removal, it impacts how the digestive system process food. In few cases, this prompts weight gain. The body will be unable to digest fat and sugar productively.

What is the disadvantage of removing gallbladder?

Any surgery has potential complications, including incision bleeding, movement of surgical materials to other parts of the body , pain, or infection — with or without a fever. It’s possible you’ll experience digestive side effects when your gallbladder is removed.

How does the liver function without a gallbladder?

Without a gallbladder, there’s no place for bile to collect. Instead, your liver releases bile straight into the small intestine. This allows you to still digest most foods. However, large amounts of fatty, greasy, or high-fiber food become harder to digest.