How to Eat After Getting Gallbladder Removed

Getting your gallbladder removed can lead to major changes in your lifestyle. Many of the foods that you commonly ate can cause pain or discomfort after your surgery. This is because your body isn't able to process some foods very well at first, which can lead to a number of digestive problems while your body tries to adapt. With a bit of sensibility, you should be able to minimize these episodes and keep your digestive tract in balance while it adjust to functioning without the gallbladder.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Realize that most gallbladder problems are originally caused by diets rich in foods that throw off the balance of the bile itself. While your body adjusts to functioning without a gallbladder, it's even more important that you avoid these foods.

2. Avoid foods that have a high fat or acid content. Until your body has had time to heal and adjust, stay away from red meat, pork, butter, fried foods, dairy products and eggs. In regards to drinks, stay away from fruit juices (aside from grape and apple) and all caffeinated, alcoholic or carbonated beverage. Even decaf coffee and tea should be avoided.

3. Include foods in your diet that promote the good health of your biliary system and your digestive system in general. Fiber sources such as lettuce and grains are wonderful, as are vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables such as beets, tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, grapes and carrots. Foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids such as flax-seed oil and salmon are also beneficial.

4. Hope that you're one of the 60 percent of people who have no additional problems once they've finished healing from gallbladder removal. The other 40 percent may experience some bloating, gas or discomfort for weeks, months or even longer after healing process has finished whenever they eat foods similar to those mentioned above. Give yourself at least 2 to 4 weeks beyond the time that all physical signs of the surgery have healed before attempting to reintroduce those foods into your diet, and do so in exceedingly small amounts at first.

5. Continue to slowly increase the amount of these foods that you eat, once you have reached a point where you can eat small amounts of problem foods without digestive troubles. This should be done over the course of several months. If you reach a point where you are having indigestion or other problems, then you should back off again for a few weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• If you ate a diet high in problem foods prior to your gallbladder surgery, make an effort to avoid going back to those extremes. In excess, these foods can still cause other digestive problems.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any abnormal pain or other problems while recovering from gallbladder removal.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!
• How to Lose 30+lbs Guaranteed. Try it Free.

[epope08]

on 12/18/2008 I had my gallbladder removed 11/20/08 and was told that i could resume a regular diet. I knew better because i educated myself about the gallbladder and digestive system before i had the surgery. I have lost a total of 20 lbs so far and i only eat the following:
chicken noodle soup(heart healthy),prunes,salads with very little dressing,chicken(grilled),turkey, steamed vegtables,raisins, creamed potatoes (small serving)orange juice chased with water, lots of water. You have to allow your body to adjust and your high fat eating habits have to change if you want to stay healthy. My approach was to start living a healthier life and my family has even started eating healthier. My stools are loose, and that is because of my diet change. Read the labels and you have to stay away from the foods that are not healthy or if you don't have the strong will power, eat them in small portions. I walk f