What is jaundice?
Jaundice is the yellow discolouration of your skin, the whites of your eyes and body fluids.
If you have jaundice after your gallbladder surgery, it’s important to visit your surgeon straight away for a health check.
What symptoms are associated with jaundice?
In addition to a yellow discolouration of your skin and the whites of your eyes, the following symptoms can also occur with jaundice:
- abdominal pain
- itching
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- pale stools
- dark urine
- fever
What causes jaundice?
Jaundice is caused by the build-up of a substance called bilirubin in your blood.
Because bilirubin is a component of bile, jaundice after gallbladder surgery is usually due to blockage of the bile ducts either by stone or stricture.
How is the cause of jaundice diagnosed?
Your doctor may order liver function blood tests and an ultrasound scan to check for obstructions to bile flow.
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