I had my gallbladder removed six months ago, and I'm still having diarrhea. Is this typical?
Surgery to remove the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy, often can lead to diarrhea. Some research has found that about half of people who have this surgery may develop diarrhea.
The cause of diarrhea after gallbladder removal isn't clear. It may be due to more bile acids going into the large intestine, and that can act as a laxative. In most cases, diarrhea stops soon after surgery. Sometimes it may last longer. Rarely, diarrhea after gallbladder removal can last for years.
Generally, mild diarrhea after gall bladder removal is not cause for concern. But medical care is recommended when diarrhea:
- Contains blood or pus.
- Wakes you from sleep.
- Lasts more than four weeks after surgery.
Medical care also is recommended if you have diarrhea after surgery and you:
- Are losing weight.
- Develop a fever.
- Have serious belly pain.
In these situations, tests might be needed to see what could be causing diarrhea.
Treatments that may help manage diarrhea after the gallbladder is removed include:
- Antidiarrheal medicines, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D).
- Medicines that take bile acids out of the body, such as cholestyramine (Locholest, Prevalite, others).
Limiting some foods also may help ease diarrhea, including:
- Caffeine.
- Dairy products.
- Greasy foods.
- Very sweet foods.
Show References
- Feldman M, et al., eds. Diarrhea. In: Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 11th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 22, 2025.
- Jarnagin WR, et al., eds. Cholecystectomy techniques and postoperative problems. In: Blumgart's Surgery of the Liver, Biliary Tract and Pancreas. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 22, 2025.
- Bonis PA, et al. Approach to the adult with chronic diarrhea in resource-abundant settings. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed July 22, 2025.
- Huang RL, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of post-cholecystectomy diarrhoea. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2023; doi:10.4240/wjgs.v15.i11.2398.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cholecystectomy/expert-answers/gallbladder-removal/faq-20058481