Life without a gallbladder

The gallbladder and pancreas are related to the digestive system. They are closely connected with each other through the excretory ducts and are located practically next to each other, therefore the pathological process in one organ can quickly spread to the other. The gallbladder is a kind of capacity for the accumulation of bile, from where it periodically enters the small intestine through the bile ducts. The pancreas produces the most important digestive enzymes and hormones, and many processes of vital activity depend on its condition.

But, unfortunately, cases where the gallbladder or pancreas have to be removed in order to save a person's life are not uncommon. Each such situation is very individual. There are certain strict indications for surgical interventions, which are carried out in the most gentle ways. After them, the patient's body must adapt as quickly as possible to a new existence, for which the person after discharge from the hospital receives important advice from the doctor concerning the further way of life. According to them, each patient is able to build his life after removing the gallbladder and pancreas so as to maintain his social status, a positive psycho-emotional mood and an ample level of health.

Indications for removal of organs

Gallbladder disease( LAD) is the main indication for the removal of the gallbladder. This pathology affects almost a third of the adult population, and many patients have significant gallbladder calculi( multiple stones), as well as obstruction by excretory duct concretions.

The danger of this state is enormous. Stones do not allow the bile to normally deposit and regularly enter the intestine, stretch the walls of the organ with a constant threat of rupture, become a source of inflammatory phenomena( cholecystitis), often completely block the flow of bile. In addition to poor health, persistent abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn, there is a possibility of an inflammatory process transition to the pancreas with the development of biliary pancreatitis, which greatly worsens the patient's condition.

Gallbladder and pancreatic ducts are in close proximity to one another

In these situations, patients are advised to remove the gallbladder, and as soon as possible. The organism perfectly adapts to the absence of an organ, especially since it is still a separate part of the pathway of biliary excretion, because bile itself is produced in the liver. The remaining ducts are quite enough to ensure its outflow. But every patient should strictly follow the medical recommendations to ensure a full and healthy life without a gallbladder.

A more complicated situation develops if it is necessary to remove the pancreas. This organ produces pancreatic juice containing a complex of digestive enzymes, as well as an insulin hormone, without which the right carbohydrate metabolism is impossible.

In clinical practice, there are many pancreatic diseases that require its complete or partial removal:

• acute pancreatitis with organ necrosis and the transition of the inflammatory process to the peritoneum( peritonitis);
• presence of suppurative abscesses in the organ;
• trauma to the gland with bleeding;
• pseudocysts and cysts with negative clinical symptoms;
• malignant neoplasms;
• chronic pancreatitis with signs of extensive organ sclerosis.

After the operation, the person is still on a regular basis for the long-term care of

. In each case, individually, it is decided how to remove the pancreas: in whole or in part. But in any situation, experts in the question of whether a person can live without a pancreas, are confident that they can, and for many more years. It is important to regularly undergo a survey and receive the necessary treatment, as well as to change your habits and lifestyle accordingly.

Advice for a person without a gallbladder

How to live without a gallbladder, excites everyone who underwent an organ resection operation. Doctors believe that life without a bubble, "stuffed" with stones and full of bile, with stretched and inflamed walls, constantly threatening to rupture, with insufficiently passable ducts, will be much better and safer. The patient will get rid of the constant threat of complications, from pain and intoxication syndrome, from nausea, heartburn and stool disorders. But, that life after removal of the gallbladder is really "cloudless", a person must make some effort and know the most important information.

First of all, it is necessary to take into account some of the disadvantages that can await the patient after surgery. They can be represented as follows:

1. The removal of the depositing organ disrupts the correct redistribution of bile. It can be "thrown" into the stomach and pancreas.
2. Background chronic diseases may worsen: duodenitis, gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome.
3. Non-physiological spread of bile can provoke the manifestation of acute gastritis, esophagitis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer.
4. Regular exposure of the bile to the parenchyma and ducts of the pancreas can cause the formation of chronic pancreatitis, which entails a pronounced functional failure of the organ.
5. The chemical composition of the bile does not change, it is still a "stone-forming" substance, that is, it can be said that the LCF is preserved;
6. Functional deficiency of bile ducts and sphincters remains, which can manifest as pains of a spastic nature.

With these possible consequences of a gallbladder resection it is necessary to cope, they can even be completely prevented. For this purpose, a whole range of rehabilitation measures has been developed. Adaptation of the body after the operation ends, usually within 1 year, provided that the patient does not have concomitant chronic diseases of the digestive system. If they are available, the recovery period is delayed and accompanied by the appointment of the patient appropriate medication.

Fatty food will be contraindicated by

. During the recovery period, the operated patient should be regularly observed by the attending physician and undergo a clinical, instrumental and laboratory examination. Terms - 1, 3, 6, 12 months after the operation. The level of bile production, the condition of the bile ducts, the degree of digestion of food and the functionality of the digestive organs are determined through the following activities:

• biochemical blood tests;
• blood for sugar;
• coprogram;
• analysis of feces for elastase;
• ultrasound of the biliary tract and pancreas;
• if necessary gastroscopy or radiography of the stomach.

How to live after removal of the gallbladder, is explained in detail to each patient when discharging for outpatient treatment. In most cases, serious medication support is not required, and the main corrective measures concern lifestyle and nutrition. The change is mainly determined by the fact that bile is involved in the digestion of plant and animal fats and proteins.

All the instructions for the patient can be expressed as follows:

• According to the indications, regular intake of drugs that improve the quality of bile and its fluidity( ursodeoxycholic acid, Ursosan, Enterosan), for deactivation of bile( activated charcoal, Gaviscon, Smecta), to reduce acidity( Maalox, Fosfalugel), for relief of pain( Odeston, Duspatalin).
• Compliance with diet.
• Normalization of physical activity.

Correction of nutrition is considered to be the leading direction of rehabilitation of patients after surgery. The absence of the gallbladder requires compliance with the principle of fractional nutrition( 6-7 times a day, small amounts of food) in order to regulate the process of producing bile in the liver and its flow through the ducts into the small intestine. It is important to observe a sufficient drinking regimen, up to 2.5 liters of fluid per day to prevent bile thickening.

Activated charcoal will help to normalize digestion

In the first month after the operation, it is necessary to limit fatty foods, fried, smoked, pickled. Dishes should be boiled or "steamed", and also wiped. Then you can gradually expand the diet, cook food by methods of extinguishing and baking. After 3-6 months after surgery, the patient should already eat without serious restrictions, but with a reduction in animal fats. Its diet should include enough meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. In 1 year after the operation, the adaptation of the body to life without a gallbladder should end.

Additional, but not less important, rehabilitation direction is considered the dosed physical load. Special physical exercises can begin to be performed within a month after removal of the organ. Daily walks for 30 minutes are gradually supplemented by light exercises designed to restore the strength and flexibility of all muscle groups.

It is better to practice in exercise therapy groups, under the supervision of a specialist, since strengthening the muscles of the press, for example, is allowed only 10-12 months after the operation. The structure of the sports complex is also determined by the person's well-being, age, concomitant diseases. Competently conducted classes( see photo), normalize the production of bile and motility of the bile ducts:

Each lesson should have a certain structure with a gradual increase in the load

Recommendations after removal of the pancreas

As already mentioned, the need for surgical intervention and the expediency of removing the organ entirely depend on the diagnosis andpatient's condition.

In this case, the duration of further life is affected by factors such as partial or complete resection of the organ, age, condition of other digestive organs, the presence of chronic accompanying pathologies. It also makes a difference as to which disease the operation was performed( for example, a malignant tumor or a benign cyst).

It should be mentioned that, in addition to the obvious advantages of radical treatment designed to save a person's life, there are some disadvantages of this method. First of all, it is the possibility of the development of complications such as peritonitis, abscess, sepsis, diabetes mellitus, bleeding, persistent bowel disorders.

In the overwhelming majority of cases, the early postoperative period ends safely, and after hospital discharge the patient receives the following recommendations:

• regular follow-up with an endocrinologist and gastroenterologist;
• permanent substitution therapy with enzyme preparations;
• permanent insulin therapy;
• daily self-regulation of blood sugar;
• strict food control, a diet with a significant restriction of fats and carbohydrates;
• absolute refusal of alcohol and smoking;
• regular physical activity of moderate intensity.

Compliance with these recommendations provides a person many more years of full and active life, as evidenced by the reviews of patients who underwent surgery on the pancreas or gallbladder.

Any alcoholic beverages after surgery on the pancreas are prohibited.

. Patient feedback.

. All patients who underwent surgery are aware of the consequences if they refused it. Therefore, life after surgery, without pain and other pathological manifestations, is perceived by them, and quite justifiably, as a real gift of fate. Here are just some of the responses:

How many patients live after removal of the pancreas or gallbladder, depends on many factors and, above all, on the diagnosis. In any case, surgical intervention saves them from death and enables them to live many more years.