{"id":1423,"date":"2022-11-25T09:13:58","date_gmt":"2022-11-25T09:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/?p=1423"},"modified":"2022-12-14T09:26:26","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T09:26:26","slug":"diet-tips-what-can-i-eat-after-gallbladder-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/diet-tips-what-can-i-eat-after-gallbladder-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Diet Tips: What Can I Eat After Gallbladder Surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile to help the human body digest fats. It is located below the liver. In some instances, the organ needs to be removed. After the gallbladder removal, patients will often need to make certain diet changes to avoid specific issues such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gallbladder surgery or cholecystectomy is a standard procedure most often performed to get rid of painful gallstones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Following <\/span><a href=\"\/omar-rashid\/surgical-oncology\/gallbladder-bile-duct-cancer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">gallbladder removal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, finding a set diet is complicated. The truth is, there\u2019s no strict nutritional regimen or an actual \u201cgallbladder surgery diet,\u201d instead, there are a set of guidelines that patients who had their gallbladder removed should follow to avoid any issues in their digestive processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In this article, <\/span><a href=\"\/omar-rashid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dr. Omar Rashid<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and his team discuss the basic principles of dieting after gallbladder removal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Immediately After Surgery<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">During the initial period following surgery, i.e., for the first few days, experts usually recommend consuming mainly clear liquids, gelatin, and broth. While some alcoholic beverages may count as \u201cclear liquids,\u201d they should be avoided for at least a couple of days following gallbladder removal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After this initial period, the doctor usually suggests adding solid food to your diet, but only gradually. Starting out with smaller meals at first is highly recommended. Still, there are a few food types that should be avoided when getting back to solid foods.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foods with high fat content<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fried foods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foods that have strong odors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Foods that can make you gassy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Can I Eat After Gallbladder Surgery? Foods to Avoid<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1425 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid.jpg\" alt=\"Young Brunette Woman Holding Raw Beef Steak With Angry Face\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-Foods-to-Avoid.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">After gallbladder removal, it\u2019s not uncommon for patients to deal with diarrhea. The reason for this is pretty simple: because patients don\u2019t have their gallbladder anymore, the bile flows into the intestines directly, acting as a laxative.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, this issue will resolve in a few weeks or a few months at most. Also, patients quicken up the process if they take their gallbladder surgery diet guidelines more seriously and avoid the following foods.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>High-Fat Products<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These foods are usually harder to digest, which is why most healthcare experts recommend avoiding them following gallbladder surgery, especially if you are experiencing bloating, diarrhea, or gas after the procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">All in all, fat shouldn\u2019t make up more than 30% of your daily calorie intake, and saturated fat shouldn\u2019t be more than ten percent of these calories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a rule of thumb, experts recommend opting for foods that have no more than three grams of fat per serving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">On that note, you should avoid the following high-fat foods:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pork<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beef<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bacon fat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lamb<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Veal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Poultry skin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bologna<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Salami<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hot dogs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cream<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ice cream<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Full-fat cheese<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ice cream<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Palm and coconut oil (and other tropical oils)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Baked goods and other processed foods such as cakes, pastries, and cookies<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Spicy Foods<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spicy foods, especially those with capsaicin (the main ingredient in hot peppers, responsible for their hotness), may irritate the stomach lining, leading to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain after gallbladder removal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Foods Make Diarrhea Worse<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s only natural to avoid those foods and compounds that worsen diarrhea, even when your gallbladder is intact. That said, when following our gallbladder surgery diet guidelines, do your best to avoid dairy products, caffeinated drinks, and very sweet foods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Can I Eat After Gallbladder Surgery?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1426 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery.jpg\" alt=\"Young Woman Eating a Healthy Salad After Workout. \" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/132\/2022\/12\/What-Can-I-Eat-After-Gallbladder-Surgery.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So far, we\u2019ve only discussed the things you should avoid after the procedure. Now, let\u2019s talk about the foods you can eat freely and improve your recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Fluids<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constant diarrhea usually drains the body of minerals, fluids, and vitamins. Because of this, patients must stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water, sports drinks, and broth is highly recommended. And as we\u2019ve mentioned earlier, you should steer clear of alcoholic beverages for at least two days following gallbladder surgery, especially if you are still experiencing some of the effects of pain meds or anesthesia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Low-Fat Options<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise that low-fat foods will be much easier to digest and less likely to cause discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, or gas. As mentioned above, following gallbladder surgery, less than 30% of your daily caloric intake should come from fat, even if you eat only low-fat options.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These foods include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fat-free or low-fat (1%) dairy products<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Egg substitutes or egg whites only<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lentils, peas, beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Veggie burgers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brown rice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whole grains<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oatmeal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vegetables<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fruits<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vegetable-base soups<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Salsa<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mustard<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Low-fat bread and crackers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Skim milk-based sauces<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Light salad dressings<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Light margarine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Light mayonnaise<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Foods High in Fiber<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Those products that are high in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fiber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">fiber<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> can help patients normalize their bowel movements. Still, this doesn\u2019t mean you should go overboard with fiber-filled foods immediately after incorporating solid foods. Your fiber intake should grow gradually over the course of several weeks. Stay away from rapid increases, as they can worsen cramps and gas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Regarding fiber, there are two main options (insoluble and soluble fiber), and both should be incorporated into your diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soluble fiber\u2019s main characteristic is that it absorbs water during the digestion process. This means that it can increase the size of your stool and slow down your metabolism or digestion processes a bit. Sources of high-soluble fiber foods include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soy burgers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lima beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Black beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pinto beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Navy beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chickpeas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tofu<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oat bran<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Apples\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beets<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pears\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Okra<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Oatmeal<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Prunes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, doesn\u2019t need to dissolve in water. It sticks to other materials and absorbs fluid, leading to more regular, softer, and bulkier stools and enabling the body to process waste more efficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Good sources of insoluble fiber are:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Lentils<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wheat bran<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Legumes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wheat germ<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Different berry types, such as strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spinach<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Green peas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Green beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Potatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Carrots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cauliflower<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Whole wheat flour<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nuts<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Keep Track of Your Diet<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Keeping a good journal and writing down how much you eat, what you eat, and when can help you better understand how different foods affect your body after your gallbladder surgery. Logging your diet and keeping track of adverse reactions to certain foods can help you avoid making the same mistakes twice and helps prevent problems in the long run.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fortunately, most patients can return to their regular diets within roughly a month following the procedure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">And even though diarrhea will probably be an issue for several months after the procedure, you shouldn\u2019t ignore it if it persists for more than three consecutive days right after surgery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also, if you are experiencing the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Inability to pass gas after surgery<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jaundice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vomiting or severe nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constant abdominal pain that only gets worse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Constipation for more than three days after surgery<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t forget, if you need any help with following these diet guidelines or have any concerns regarding any worrisome symptoms, feel free to reach out to our practice.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile to help the human body digest fats. It is located below<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1424,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[145],"tags":[148,149,150,147,146],"class_list":["post-1423","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gallbladder","tag-after-gallbladder-removal","tag-gallbladder-removal","tag-gallbladder-surgery","tag-gallbladder-surgery-diet","tag-what-can-i-eat-after-gallbladder-surgery"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1423","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1423"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1423\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1423"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1423"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/omar-rashid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1423"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}