Overview
Gallbladder surgery, or cholecystectomy, is a common procedure to remove the gallbladder due to gallstones or inflammation. While most patients recover without significant issues, some experience liver pain post-surgery. Approximately 10-15% of patients experience complications after gallbladder surgery, with liver pain being one of the common complaints. This pain can be concerning and may stem from several causes, including bile duct injury, bile leakage, or changes in digestion.
Struggling with liver pain after gallblader surgery? Don't let liver pain post-surgery go unchecked. Consult with the best hepatologists in India for personalized care.
Why does my liver hurt after gallbladder surgery?
Experiencing pain in the abdomen is common after gallbladder surgery, primarily in the area where the procedure was performed. Various factors contribute to liver pain after gallbladder surgery, including:
- Bile Duct Issues: After gallbladder removal, bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. Any issues with the bile ducts (such as stones or inflammation) can cause discomfort or pain in the liver area. Bile duct injuries occur in about 0.1-0.5% of cholecystectomy cases, which can lead to liver pain and require further medical intervention. Biliary colic is the most common type of liver pain. It is caused by damage or obstruction in the bile duct. This obstruction could be caused by infection, inflammation, bile duct obstruction, or abnormality of Oddi motility, which can cause this damage.
- Inflammation: After gallbladder surgery, the liver can inflame the liver, and the gallbladder is located near the abdomen, which causes inflammation in one another, causing liver pain.
- Scar tissue: After gallbladder surgery, scar tissue may form, which can cause pain in the liver or nearby organs.
- Surgical Issues: It is very rare but possible that gall bladder surgery can cause damage to the liver, abdomen, or bile duct. Which can lead to liver pain and even back pain.
Dr. Gaurav Gupta, a renowned hepatologist states that, "Liver pain after gallbladder surgery can stem from several causes, including bile duct injuries, bile leakage, or alterations in bile flow and digestion. It's essential to recognize that while mild discomfort can be a normal part of recovery, persistent or severe pain may indicate complications."
Do you know?
Additionally, gallstones left in the bile ducts or bile spilling into parts like the stomach can both result in pain. Although they are typically minor and transient, symptoms can last several months. This discomfort can be felt either in the middle or on the right side of the abdomen, beneath the rib cage.
While liver pain following gallbladder surgery is typically mild, there are rare cases where the liver or bile ducts may sustain damage during the procedure, necessitating a liver transplant for proper restoration of liver function and relief from pain.
Things to do if you feel liver pain after gallbladder removal
Here, we have listed some things to help you ease the pain.
- Medications: You can take some low-dosage medications like anti-inflammatory drugs to manage your pain.
- Apply Heat: If the pain is severe, you can use a heating pad, which may help manage the pain.
- Eating healthy: A good diet also helps in the healing process and helps in reducing pain.
- Avoid heavy activities: If you feel liver pain, it is important to avoid heavy activities.
- Rest: After gallbladder surgery, getting good rest is advisable to ensure fast healing.
If you are experiencing liver pain after gallbladder removal, you should visit renowned hospitals specialising in hepatology treatment for a better diagnosis of the underlying cause and personalised treatment.
Can liver pain after gallbladder surgery heal itself or is it permanent?
Generally, liver pain after gallbladder surgery is not permanent. It is quite normal to experience pain or discomfort after gallbladder surgery. Mostly, the pain post gallbladder surgery heals independently as time passes. Some people may experience pain or discomfort a few weeks after the surgery, while others may have no further complications.
Usually, recovery depends on the individual itself, the cause, length, and severity of the condition. After gallbladder surgery, if the pain is severe and no improvement is seen, you must speak to your doctor for proper treatment to cure the liver pain.
Want to know about the treatment? Keep reading further to find the best treatment to relieve liver pain after gallbladder surgery.
What is the best way to treat liver problems after gallbladder removal?
The treatment for liver pain after gallbladder surgery depends on the cause behind it.
Some possible treatments recommended include:
- Anti-Pain Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs are given to ease the pain.
- Antibiotics: These medications are prescribed to control the infections that cause pain.
- Surgery: In some cases, additional surgery may be needed to cure the pain caused after gallbladder surgery.
Still, if the pain is there and not at all improving, Talk to the experts and book your appointment now to get a better treatment for the underlying cause!
We're sure you're wondering what would happen if you weren't treated.
Is it?
Scroll down to learn more!
What are the effects of liver pain after gallbladder surgery is not treated?
After gallbladder surgery, if the liver pain is not treated properly, it can turn into a more severe condition. For example, infection may cause more severe damage to other body parts. discomfort in daily activities, etc.
Here are some of the complications you can face:
- Delayed healing: If not treated early, it can delay healing.
- Poor sleep: The liver pain can disrupt sleep and low energy.
- Decreased appetite: Severe pain can lead to a decrease in appetite.
- Decreased mobility: Pain may reduce mobility and make walking or doing regular tasks difficult.
Foods to avoid after gallbladder surgery to prevent liver pain
- High-fat foods: It is generally advisable to avoid high-fat foods after surgery, as they can cause digestive issues and slow healing.
- Spicy Foods: These kinds of foods may lead to irritation in the digestive system.
- Carbonated drinks: this can cause gas, bloating, and discomfort after the surgery.
- High-fiber food: These types of food can be difficult to digest, so it is best to avoid food items such as raw vegetables, seeds, and nuts.
- Alcohol: It is very important to avoid alcohol after the surgery as it may irritate the liver with a delay in the healing process.
To reduce the risk of liver pain and other digestive issues after gallbladder surgery, it is best to have a balanced diet.
We are sure you must be thinking! Is it possible to experience liver pain again after treatment?
Wait, let's read more to get the answer.
Are there any chances of getting liver pain again after treatment?
Yes, after treatment, it is also possible to have liver pain again. The possibility of a recurrence will depend on the causes of the pain and the effectiveness of the treatment.
It has been observed that the cause of liver pain in some cases is chronic and requires more continuous treatment to prevent relapse. If the liver pain that occurred again is not treated, it may cause irritation or severe damage to the liver and cause liver pain again.
Still struggling with persistent liver pain post gallbladder surgery? Schedule your consultation with the top hepatologist to ensure a smooth and pain-free recovery.
References:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/gallbladder/guide/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases
Cholecystectomy | All You Need to Know About Gallbladder Removal - Left Side Pains
