myPBCteam

It sounds like you're wondering how not having a gallbladder might affect a liver transplant — that's a great question to explore before any procedure.

The good news is that not having a gallbladder generally does not prevent or complicate a liver transplant for people with PBC. During a liver transplant, the diseased Show Full Answer

It sounds like you're wondering how not having a gallbladder might affect a liver transplant — that's a great question to explore before any procedure.

The good news is that not having a gallbladder generally does not prevent or complicate a liver transplant for people with PBC. During a liver transplant, the diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy donor liver, which is then connected to your bile ducts and blood vessels.

Since the gallbladder is a small organ that simply stores bile produced by the liver, its absence doesn't significantly impact the transplant process. Your new liver will still produce bile — it just won't have a gallbladder to store it, which is already the case for many people living without one. Several myPBCteam members have shared that they had their gallbladder removed either before or around the time of their PBC diagnosis, so this is a situation many in the community have navigated.

As always, it's worth raising this directly with your transplant team so they can factor your full medical history into their planning. They'll be best placed to reassure you based on your specific situation. 😊

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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