Gallbladder Removal surgery, also known as Cholecystectomy, is a procedure that many find themselves facing due to various health issues. It is an effective treatment for gallstones that can provide relief and improve your quality of life. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive guide to help you understand the impact that gallbladder removal can have on individuals, along with insights into the waiting times associated with the surgery.
How Gallbladder Removal surgery can impact your weight
After Gallbladder Removal, some individuals may experience difficulty digesting fats effectively. The gallbladder is responsible for storing bile, which is released to help break down fats during digestion. Without a gallbladder, bile is continuously released into the digestive system, which can lead to changes in how fats are processed. In response to potential digestive issues, individuals may naturally modify their diet by reducing their fat intake. This dietary adjustment could lead to a decrease in caloric intake, potentially contributing to weight loss.
In addition to this, the immediate post-surgery period may involve some physical limitations, and individuals may be advised to take it easy for a certain period. This reduction in physical activity, combined with any dietary modifications, can influence weight.
Responses to gallbladder surgery can vary significantly among individuals. Some people may experience weight loss due to dietary changes or digestive adjustments, while others may notice weight gain.
Alcohol consumption after Gallbladder Removal
Some individuals may find that their tolerance to alcohol changes after gallbladder removal. Without the gallbladder to store and release bile in response to the intake of fatty foods or alcohol, some people may experience increased sensitivity. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust your alcohol consumption accordingly.
Alcohol can be irritating to the digestive system, and some individuals may experience digestive discomfort after gallbladder removal. This could include symptoms such as bloating, gas, or diarrhoea. Monitoring your body’s response and adjusting your alcohol intake can help manage these effects.
Gallbladder Removal and diabetes
Individuals with diabetes may need to adjust their medication regimen after Gallbladder Removal, especially if there are changes in dietary habits and weight. It’s crucial to work closely with your healthcare team to ensure that diabetes medications are appropriately tailored to individual needs.
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels and overall health is important for individuals with diabetes, both before and after Gallbladder Removal surgery.
As with any surgical procedure, individual responses can vary, and the impact on diabetes may differ from person to person.
Gallbladder Removal surgery NHS waiting times
New data from NHS England shows that treatment waiting lists are at a record high. With more than a third of patients waiting more than the target time of 18 weeks.
According to https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Feb22-RTT-SPN-publication-89824.pdf, in 2022, NHS England and NHS Improvement released statistics on referral to treatment waiting times for consultant-led elective care. The statistics include patients waiting to start treatment at the end of February 2022 and patients who were treated during February 2022. These statistics found:
- “At the end of February 2022, 62.6% of patients waiting to start treatment (incomplete pathways) were waiting up to 18 weeks, thus not meeting the 92% standard.”
- “The number of Referral to Treatment patients waiting to start treatment at the end of February 2022 was 6.2 million patients. Of those, 299,478 patients were waiting more than 52 weeks and 23,281 patients were waiting more than 104 weeks.”
- “For patients waiting to start treatment at the end of February 2022, the median waiting time was 13.1 weeks. The 92nd percentile waiting time was 43.9 weeks.”
At Streamline, having a number of locations across the UK means we can provide faster treatment times, compared to the long waiting lists within the NHS. The typical turnaround for surgery is generally about 2 to 3 weeks, subject to availability.
Why have surgery with us?
At Streamline, we offer:
- Rapid access to treatment compared to the long waiting lists within the NHS
- We have a network of hospital locations where we perform this procedure without the need to stay overnight
- Pre and post-operative support with a specialist nurse and surgeon
- Extensive availability of dates to accommodate patients timescales
- Highly experiences surgical team who have performed thousands of these procedures
- Flexible pay monthly options
If you would like to enquire, please fill out the form below or call 0333 016 3030.