Ideal Diet To Follow After Gallbladder Removal

It is really important to keep a check on your diet if your gallbladder has been removed. A well-managed diet helps with the gradual adjustment in the changes in digestion causing fewer discomforts. This article explains the most important aspects of a diet to follow after gall bladder removal.

Ideal Diet To Follow After Gallbladder Removal

Ideal Diet To Follow After Gallbladder Removal

Gallbladder surgery or cholecystectomy is the surgery performed to remove the gallbladder. It is mostly performed as a solution for the patient suffering from gallstones or any other problem associated with the gallbladder. Knowing the right diet to follow after gall bladder removal can help plan a healthy diet with the best nutritive values.

The gallbladder stores the bile which the liver makes and releases it for digestion. Bile helps in the breakdown of fats. After the removal of the gallbladder, liver still makes bile but it is not stored. This leads to dripping down of the bile acid slowly into the intestine and can cause the following problems:

  • Lesser availability of bile for the fat break down, which brings on the discomfort in people taking fat after gallbladder removal.
  • Dripping of bile acid in the intestine which can increase more fluid secretion, leading to diarrhea.
  • Post gallbladder removal discomforts can be eased by choosing the right kind of food. The food chosen should be easy to digest and also that they bind easily with the bile acids to reduce their effect on the large intestine. This is where the diet to follow after gall bladder removal proves to be necessary and useful.

Here is the ideal diet to follow after gall bladder removal:

A few days after the surgery the patient is advised to take a bland diet and foods that are very easy to digest. This allows a smooth healing process and the adjustment of the body to the changes in the ways the bile being processed.

  • Soluble Fibers – Soluble fibers lower down the risk of digestive stress, as they bind well with the bile acids. Foods like apple, bananas, blueberries, carrot, chickpeas, Brussels sprouts, beans, plums, prunes, and strawberries have soluble fibers and thus consuming them prevents the risk of any disturbance in the gut function. Make sure you include these in the diet to follow after gall bladder removal.
  • Steamed Vegetables – Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, mustard greens, and collard greens can be steamed and consumed for better digestion, hence they are an important part of the diet to follow after gall bladder removal. Steamed vegetables have a better ability to bind with the bile acids. Thus the amount of bile acid reaching the large intestine and causing diarrhea is reduced by eating steamed vegetables.
  • Healthy Fats – Though fat digestion becomes difficult after a gallbladder surgery, it does not mean you should stop consuming food rich in fats. The pancreas in the body releases enzyme necessary for fat digestion. The choice of fats should be made wisely as they are very much necessary for the body. Healthy fats such as coconut oil, almonds, flaxseeds, avocados, olive oil, chia seeds, salmons and sardines can be included diet to follow after gall bladder removal. A lower fat version of milk, yogurt, mayonnaise or ice-cream can also be tried.
  • Lean Proteins – If you eat a lot of meat, then you may consider having them in moderation and cut off in some fat portion of it. Opt for the lean cuts of beef and pork, white meat chicken or turkey, and fish such as cod, flounder and halibut. The gallbladder is not required for the protein digestion. You can cut away the fat part and enjoy healthy proteins in the diet to follow after gall bladder removal.
  • Eat Smaller Meals – Digestion after the gallbladder removal becomes difficult. You might find it easy to eat smaller portion rather than taking one, big and a heavy meal. So your diet to follow after gall bladder removal should be planned accordingly. You can reduce the portion size and increase the frequency of meals instead. It will help in keeping you light and free from digestive discomfort.
  • Drink Plenty Of Water – Water is an important part of the diet to follow after gall bladder removal. It is very important to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated while recovering from a surgery. Drinks rich in electrolytes such as sodium, chloride, and potassium are best to avoid dehydration.

Following the above tips may help you keep comfortable after a gallbladder surgery.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:May 8, 2019

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