Bile is an important part of digesting fats, and following Yaz gallbladder removal surgery, normal digestion can be affected causing problems such as bloating and diarrhea. Bile is still produced by the liver, but rather than being stored and then released when needed during a meal, bile is continuously released in into the intestine. Problems can occur when eating a meal that is high in fat content since there may not be enough bile in the intestine to adequately handle the normal absorption process. In some situations your doctor may prescribe medications to control the availability of bile salts or a drug like Questran (cholestyramine) which is used to lower high levels of cholesterol in the blood.

It is not uncommon to have temporary digestive problems after gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy). The main reason is usually a difficulty in the digestive system handling fats in the diet. Fat and certain fat-soluble vitamins require bile in order to be absorbed. When the gallbladder is present, it stores bile that the liver makes. While eating the gallbladder contracts and releases a flood of bile into the intestine that is used for fat absorption. After cholecystectomy, bile is still produced by the liver, but is released in a continuous, slow trickle into the intestine. Thus, when eating a meal that is high in fat content, there may not be an adequate amount of bile in the intestine to properly handle the normal absorption process.

The change in intestinal bile concentration during high-fat intake may cause diarrhea or bloating, because excess fat in the intestine will draw more water into the intestine, and because bacteria digest the fat and produce gas. Some studies suggest that diarrhea after cholecystectomy may also be caused by excess bile in the intestine between meals, because bile is released into the intestine continuously.

It is estimated that as many as 20 percent of patients develop chronic diarrhea after having their gallbladder removed. This life-changing condition can last for many years. A significant proportion of people following surgery develop a condition called postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). PCS is caused by changes in bile flow due to the loss of the reservoir function of the gallbladder. Two different types of problems may occur. The first problem is continuously increased bile flow into the upper GI tract, which may contribute to esophagitis and gastritis. The second consequence is related to the lower GI tract, where diarrhea and lower abdominal pain may result. Symptoms of PCS include gastrointestinal distress and persistent pain in the upper right abdomen. Many women who have suffered from side effects after gallbladder removal surgery continue to have digestive problems including PCS.