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Category: Gallbladder

Why Gallbladder Problems Are More Common in Women

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Gallbladder issues like gallstones are surprisingly common, and they affect women at a much higher rate than men. If you’ve experienced upper abdominal pain, bloating, or nausea after eating, your gallbladder could be to blame.

But why are women more likely to develop gallbladder problems? The team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, breaks it down for us:

What Does the Gallbladder Do?

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ under your liver. Its main job is to store and release bile, a fluid that assists in the digestion of fats. When eating, the gallbladder contracts and sends bile into the small intestine.

Problems arise when bile becomes imbalanced, often forming gallstones: small, hardened deposits that can disrupt the flow of bile and trigger pain, inflammation, or even infection.

Why Are Women at Higher Risk?

While gallbladder problems can affect anyone, studies consistently show that women are nearly twice as likely as men to develop gallstones. This difference isn’t just coincidence, it’s tied to a mix of hormonal, biological, and lifestyle factors that uniquely impact women’s health. Understanding what puts women at greater risk can help you take proactive steps to protect your gallbladder and overall digestive health.

Several factors contribute to the increased risk of gallbladder problems in women:

Estrogen Levels

Women naturally have higher levels of estrogen, a hormone that increases cholesterol in bile and slows gallbladder emptying, two major risk factors for gallstone formation.

Estrogen levels are even higher during:

  • Pregnancy
  • Hormone therapy (HRT)
  • Birth control pill use

All of these can increase the likelihood of developing gallstones.

Progesterone’s Role

Another female hormone, progesterone, can relax smooth muscle tissue, including the gallbladder. This slows down bile flow and makes it easier for gallstones to form.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy changes hormone levels and digestion. Many women experience slower gallbladder emptying and increased cholesterol levels during pregnancy, raising the risk of gallstone formation.

Age and Life Stage

Gallbladder issues are more common in women over 40, particularly during perimenopause or menopause when hormonal shifts can throw off bile balance and metabolism.

Body Weight and Diet

Women are also more likely to experience gallbladder issues if they are:

  • Overweight or have had rapid weight loss
  • Eating high-fat, high-cholesterol diets
  • Living with insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome

These risk factors can affect both men and women, but when combined with hormonal influences, they create a perfect storm for women.

Common Symptoms of Gallbladder Problems

Gallbladder symptoms can be sneaky at first. Think mild discomfort after eating or occasional bloating. But over time, symptoms can become more frequent and intense. Recognizing the signs early can help you avoid complications like inflammation, infection, or emergency surgery.

Watch for:

  • Sudden pain in the upper right or middle abdomen (especially after eating)
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Bloating and indigestion
  • Pain that radiates to the back or shoulder blade

If you’re experiencing these symptoms regularly, don’t ignore them. Gallbladder attacks can escalate quickly and may require medical attention.

Know Your Risk and Your Options

While women are more prone to gallbladder problems, the good news is that gallstones are treatable, often with dietary changes, medication, or, in some cases, minimally invasive surgery.

If you’re noticing consistent symptoms, contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group. Our general surgeons, Dr. Kenneth Cutshall, Dr. John (Trey) Robertson, and Dr. Michael Cutshall are experiences in gallbladder removal. Early intervention can prevent complications and get you back to feeling your best. Give us a call at (423) 975-5650 to get started, or request an appointment through our secure online form.

Sources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22976-gallbladder-disease

https://gi.org/topics/gallstones-in-women/

What to Expect During Gallbladder Surgery

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If you or someone close to you is preparing for gallbladder surgery, you might be wondering what to expect. Don’t worry—gallbladder surgery, or cholecystectomy, is a common and relatively safe procedure that offers relief from the uncomfortable symptoms of a diseased gallbladder. This guide from the surgeons at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, walks you through the surgery, symptoms to look out for, the benefits of having the surgery, and what recovery looks like.

What Is Gallbladder Surgery?

Gallbladder surgery is the removal of the gallbladder, a small organ located beneath the liver that helps digest fats by storing bile. While the gallbladder plays a role in digestion, it’s not essential for survival, and many people live healthy lives without it. Surgery is typically required when the gallbladder becomes diseased or develops gallstones, which can block the flow of bile and cause pain or infections.

Symptoms of a Damaged or Diseased Gallbladderdoctor showing diseased gallbladder to patient.

A diseased gallbladder can be painful and disruptive to daily life. Common symptoms include:

  • Severe pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Bloating and indigestion
  • Fever and chills (if an infection develops)
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes (a sign of bile blockage)

If these symptoms become frequent or severe, your healthcare provider may recommend gallbladder removal.

Benefits of Gallbladder Surgery

The main benefit of gallbladder surgery is usually immediate and lasting relief from the discomfort caused by gallstones or inflammation. Once the gallbladder is removed, bile flows directly from the liver into the intestines. While your digestion may take time to adjust, the relief from painful symptoms makes it worthwhile.

In addition to pain reduction, surgery prevents further complications, like infections or blockages, that could require emergency treatment. Most people experience a vastly improved quality of life once they’ve recovered.

Types of Gallbladder Surgery

There are two main ways the surgery can be performed:

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This is the most common method. Surgeons make small incisions and use a camera and instruments to remove the gallbladder.

Recovery is faster with this minimally invasive approach, and many patients return home the same day.

Open Cholecystectomy

In more complicated cases, an open surgery might be required, involving a larger incision in the abdomen.

Recovery takes longer, with patients staying in the hospital for a few days.

Don’t worry–your surgeon will determine the best option based on your health and the complexity of your condition.

Recovery Steps and Timeline

Recovery from laparoscopic surgery is usually straightforward, with many people resuming normal activities in a week or two. Here’s a general timeline:

  • First 24 hours: You may feel groggy or sore, but medication will help with discomfort. Most patients can walk around on the same day.
  • First week: Stick to light activities and avoid heavy lifting. Some bloating or mild digestive changes are normal.
  • Two weeks: Most people return to work and daily routines.
  • Four to six weeks: Full recovery, especially for those who underwent open surgery.

Your surgeon may recommend adjusting your diet temporarily, focusing on low-fat meals to give your digestive system time to adjust. Follow-up appointments will ensure you’re healing well.

When to See a Specialist

If you experience increased pain, fever, or severe digestive issues after surgery, reach out to your medical team at Premier Surgical Lawson Group. While complications are rare, it’s important to monitor your recovery and seek help if something feels off.

Gallbladder Surgery in Johnson City, TN

Gallbladder surgery can seem intimidating, but the benefits can far outweigh the discomfort of recovery. With modern techniques like laparoscopic surgery, most patients bounce back quickly and feel better than ever. If you’ve been dealing with gallbladder pain or recurring symptoms, contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group at (423) 975-5650 to discuss whether surgery is the right option for you.

Remember: A well-planned surgery and good post-op care can lead to a pain-free life—so you can enjoy meals again without worrying about digestive issues!

Sources:

https://agavesurgery.com/gallbladder-surgery/
https://www.parkview.com/blog/what-to-expect-with-gallbladder-surgery
https://healthcare.ascension.org/blog/2023/08/8-things-you-should-know-about-gallbladder-surgery
https://blogs.bcm.edu/2023/09/13/navigating-gallbladder-removal-what-you-need-to-know/
https://ocroboticsurgery.com/top-12-most-common-gallbladder-surgery-questions/

Is This Pain My Gallbladder?

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The gallbladder is a tiny sac-like organ no larger than four inches located just below the liver. As long as it is functioning properly, most of us don’t even know it’s there. When there is a gallbladder issue, it can cause mild to severe pain and a number of other problems.

Here’s some useful information from Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City that includes the purpose of the gallbladder, the common signs of gallbladder problems and typical symptoms and pains that accompany those problems.

Role Of The Gallbladder

The gallbladder stores bile from the liver and releases it through ducts into the small intestine. The purpose of bile is to break down fatty foods and help us to digest them properly. As long as this process proceeds without any impairment, all is well.

If the gallbladder doesn’t work properly, or if the flow of bile is slowed or blocked from moving through the ducts and into the intestine, pain and discomfort will follow.

Common Symptoms Of A Gallbladder Problemman with gallbladder pain.

Pain is the most common result of a gallbladder issue. It is usually centered in the mid to upper right part of the abdomen under the ribcage. The pain can be mild and irregular to severe and more frequent. The pain can also radiate to the back between the shoulder blades and in the chest area. These symptoms can come and go,  but chronic gallbladder issues should not be ignored.

Nausea and vomiting are other signs of chronic gallbladder problems. Watch for increased  digestive issues accompanied by acid reflux, indigestion, gas and belching.

Fever and chills which come on unexpectedly could be signs of an infection, and should be evaluated immediately by a medical specialist if combined with other gallbladder symptoms.

Chronic diarrhea is another symptom of gallbladder disease. Going to the bathroom more than four times a day for three months could indicate a problem with the gallbladder.

Jaundice or yellow tinted skin is a sign of bile duct blockage or gallbladder stones.

Unusual color of stools and urine can indicate a gallbladder problem. Stools that are fatty and lighter in color in addition to dark urine signify bile duct blockage.

Individually these symptoms can occur after eating a highly fatty or greasy meal and can be hard  to specifically diagnose as a gallbladder issue. Taken in combination the risks are higher that the pains and symptoms involve a gallbladder problem.

See a specialist as soon as possible to evaluate your pain and symptoms and discover if a diseased gallbladder is to blame. Cholecystectomy, the removal of the gallbladder, is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States. The surgeons of Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City have decades of experience in surgically treating gallbladder disease.

For more information on the treatment of gallbladder conditions, contact Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City at (423) 975-5650.

Recognizing a Gallbladder Attack

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We’ve all experienced stomach pain, heartburn, and bad back pain after over-indulging in unhealthy, greasy foods.

Most of the time, this pain passes once the food has time to settle. But sometimes people become so concerned about their symptoms that they end up going to the ER. Often, the diagnosis is a gallbladder attack.

So what causes a gallbladder attack?gallbladder attack.

Having an unhealthy gallbladder from poor food choices can restrict the organ’s ability to aid in the digestive process. This can cause gallstones to form and block the bile duct, which leads to a painful inflammation from bile buildup. Because the symptoms can be mistaken for other medical conditions, such as a heart attack, the physicians at Premier Surgical Lawson Group in Johnson City, TN, feel it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of a gallbladder attack so you know the proper measures to take.

Recognizing the symptoms of a gallbladder attack

The symptoms of a gallbladder attack are similar to other digestive conditions, but the location and severity of the symptoms are what signal a gallbladder attack:

  1. Belly Pain. Belly pain that begins in the upper right portion of the stomach under the ribs is one of the most common symptoms of a gallbladder attack. The pain can be dull, sharp, or cause cramping.
  2. Indigestion. Most people suffering from a gallbladder attack often complain about nausea, gas, belching, and bloating, but it might be difficult to distinguish those symptoms. Gallbladder attacks can also cause a pain that radiates to the upper back and behind the breastbone, similar to a heart attack.
  3. Loss of appetite. As gallstone pain worsens, most people lose their appetite. Nausea and heartburn following meals might also cause a person to avoid eating altogether.
  4. Jaundice. The bile duct being blocked will cause bile to get trapped in your bloodstream, which can lead to your skin turning a yellowish hue.
  5. Changes in urine color. If bile pigment forms in the gallbladder, it can cause urine to turn a dark brown or bright yellow color.

What happens if I have gallbladder disease?

Gallbladder disease is a serious condition that requires medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms above, it’s important to consult a physician. Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is often recommended if your condition is serious enough.

The physicians at Premier Surgical Lawson Group have years of experience in removing diseased gallbladders. Cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgeries we perform.

If you believe you’re suffering from gallbladder disease, request a consultation with one of our surgeons by calling our Johnson City office at (423) 975-5650 today.