Jump to: What is a gallbladder, and what does it do? | What is Mounjaro? | Why take Mounjaro if you don’t have a gallbladder? | Take home message
You can take Mounjaro if you don’t have a gallbladder and have a higher BMI. It may support health improvements associated with weight loss and prevent post-cholecystectomy weight gain.
You won’t be prescribed Mounjaro if your BMI is below 27 as it will likely lead to unnecessary weight loss.
Some research suggests that having your gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy) can lead to weight gain post-surgery.
One study found that men gained an average of 4.6% and women 3.3% of their pre-surgery body weight six months after gallbladder removal.
The exact reasons for this are unclear, but it could be linked to the increased prevalence of gallstones in people with a higher BMI. Gallstones are the primary reason gallbladders are removed.
People in the highest BMI group are 5-6 times more likely to develop gallstones than those in the healthy BMI range.
People living with obesity may have underlying habits, like a poor diet and lack of physical activity, that may contribute to post surgery weight gain.
The impact of post-surgery recovery on their lifestyle could also lead to increased weight gain as it may alter their appetite and prevent physical activity.
So, taking Mounjaro without a gallbladder could help those with a higher BMI lose weight and maintain a lower weight in the long term.
What is a gallbladder, and what does it do?
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ beneath the liver that plays a vital role in the digestive system.
The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, an alkaline fluid made by the liver that helps us digest fat.
When we eat a meal, the gallbladder releases bile into the small intestine to break down fats and neutralise stomach acid.
The gallbladder also plays a role in removing some waste products from the body.
How can we function without a gallbladder?
While having important functions, a gallbladder isn’t essential for human life. In fact, there’s no discernible difference in life expectancy between those who have a gallbladder and those who have it removed.
This is possibly due to lifestyle changes that people may make after having their gallbladder removed, such as improved eating habits.
People who’ve had a gallbladder removed may experience some gastrointestinal effects in the months following the operation, but after adjusting their diet (like eating more whole foods), these will likely ease.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a dual-action weight-loss injection. It supports weight loss by mimicking two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, that communicate with the brain’s appetite control centre, the hypothalamus, to lower hunger and food-seeking behaviour.
By lowering hunger and our desire to eat, Mounjaro helps us eat fewer calories to achieve a calorie deficit.
A calorie deficit occurs when we consume fewer calories than our body needs to fuel its essential functions, such as digestion, blood flow, and brain function.
By creating a calorie deficit, our bodies will ‘burn’ the excess fat stored for energy, and we’ll lose weight.
Mounjaro also slows down the rate at which we digest food so that our stomach and gut send signals to the brain to signal the feeling of fullness.
So, Mounjaro supports weight loss by making us feel less hungry through two mechanisms:
- Communicating with the brain’s appetite control centre
- Slowing the rate that food is digested
Randomised controlled trials have shown that Mounjaro leads to an average weight loss of around 26% after one year.
Why take Mounjaro if you don’t have a gallbladder?
The only reason you’d take Mounjaro if you don’t have a gallbladder would be to lose weight or help manage blood sugar levels (if you’re living with type 2 diabetes).
If you don’t have a gallbladder, have a higher BMI and need to lose weight, then you’d likely be eligible for Mounjaro (assuming you meet other eligibility criteria).
There wouldn’t be any specific benefits to taking Mounjaro for those without a gallbladder beyond the effects of Mounjaro on supporting weight loss and improving blood sugar regulation.
Additionally, some research suggests that having your gallbladder removed (cholecystectomy) can lead to weight gain post-surgery.
One study found that men gained an average of 4.6% and women 3.3% of their pre-surgery body weight six months after gallbladder removal.
The reason for this weight gain is unclear, but it’s likely that people typically don’t change their habits after having their gallbladder removed.
But if we’re able to change our habits and eat a healthier diet, we’re more likely to lose weight and prevent more health complications in the future.
So, if you’ve had your gallbladder removed, then taking Mounjaro could help prevent post-surgery weight gain and support weight loss if you have a higher BMI.
Take home message
Obesity can lead to many weight-related complications. One of the increased risks of obesity is the development of gallstones, which is the primary reason people have their gallbladder removed.
Losing weight after you’ve had your gallbladder removed could be a great way to improve your overall health.
Second Nature’s medication programmes
Second Nature has two medication-supported programmes: a Wegovy weight-loss programme and a Mounjaro weight-loss programme.
Why should you choose Second Nature over other medication providers if you’ve decided to try Mounjaro or Wegovy (assuming you’re eligible)?
For peace of mind.
Second Nature has worked with the NHS for over 6 years, providing weight-loss programmes across the UK.
While our Wegovy and Mounjaro weight-loss programmes are private and not currently used by the NHS, we’ve built the programmes focusing on scientific evidence, patient safety, and data security.
We hope that our 6+ years of working with the NHS and building a track record of effective weight-loss results will give you peace of mind to give us a try.
