Does aging accelerate after gallbladder removal?

In general, gallbladder removal does not accelerate aging. Clinical follow-up shows that as long as patients adhere to proper postoperative management, their physiological aging process remains essentially the same as that of individuals who have not undergone surgery. The details are as follows:

The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile continuously secreted by the liver, releasing it in bulk after meals. Once this reservoir is surgically removed, bile flows directly into the intestine in small, continuous amounts. Initially, some individuals may experience post-meal bloating or loose stools due to insufficient fat emulsification. However, within about six months, the bile duct system typically undergoes compensatory dilation, gradually taking over the storage function, and digestive capacity usually returns to pre-surgery levels in the majority of patients.

Of concern is prolonged fatty diarrhea, which may lead to weight loss and deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D, E, and K), potentially indirectly affecting skin health, bone density, and immune function. A dietary approach featuring low fat, high protein, and smaller, more frequent meals is recommended. When necessary, under medical supervision, supplementation with pancreatic enzymes or vitamins D and K may be beneficial. Liver function and nutritional markers should be checked every six months. Regular aerobic exercise can also promote bile flow and reduce the risk of common bile duct stones.

If persistent weight loss, jaundice, or significant fatigue occurs, prompt medical evaluation is needed to rule out other hepatobiliary conditions rather than simply attributing symptoms to "aging."