I recently had my gallbladder removed because of stones. What effect will a couple of drinks have on me?

E.L.

Gallstones are common in the U.S. population, with the highest prevalence found in women over age 40. Usually, gallstones cause no symptoms. But in some people they can cause severe intermittent abdominal pain, associated with nausea and vomiting. These symptoms occur when a stone becomes lodged in the duct leading out of the gallbladder. After an episode of such pain (biliary colic), surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is usually recommended. After a cholecystectomy, patients will usually recover without any long-term problems. They can eat the same diet that they did before the surgery.

To answer your specific question, alcohol does not seem to be involved in the formation of gallstones, and drinking alcoholic beverages after a cholecystectomy should not have a negative impact on most patients. However, some patients experience looser stools after their gallbladders are removed, possibly related to the constant flow of bile into the intestine. Because alcohol can also lead to diarrhea, drinking may compound the problem of cholecystectomy-related diarrhea in certain people.

Obviously, whether or not you have a gallbladder, it's always wise to drink alcohol in moderation. Also, if you experience any unusual symptoms after drinking, be sure to discuss them with your doctor.