Pain results when the gallbladder contracts and is unable to release stored bile—enzyme-packed fluid used to help digest fats--because of stones. Over time, the gallbladder begins to shrink and function improperly, leading to cholecystectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder.
Immediately After Surgery
After surgery, your diet should transition from liquids to soft solid foods. This diet is to reintroduce food back into your system after having surgery on your digestive tract. You may experience nausea and vomiting following surgery. Having easy-to-digest liquids and slowly adding pudding consistency-type foods can help settle your stomach. After a day or two of this, you should be able to have regular, solid foods.
Fat Restriction
You should limit your fat intake after having your gallbladder removed. Your liver still produces bile and continuously drips it into your digestive tract. If you eat a meal high in fat, your liver doesn’t produce enough bile to deal with the fat. This leads to bloating, gas, or diarrhea due to the undigested fat. According to "Nutrition and Diet Therapy," fat should be limited to only 40 to 50 g per day. Nuts, butter, fatty meats, high fat salad dressings, mayonnaise, creamed sauces and items made with whole milk should be avoided.
Protein Intake
Following a fat-restricted diet also limits the amount of animal protein you can eat. Animal meats are generally high in fat, and in order to stay within the 40 to 50 g of fat per day range, you should eat only 4 to 6 oz. of fish or lean meat per day. Lean meats include chicken or turkey with no skin, and beef or pork with little to no visible fat. You can make up your protein requirement by eating lentils, beans, egg whites or substitutes, or vegetarian options like seitan or tempeh.
Carbohydrates
The bulk of your diet should come from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. These foods are naturally low in fat and high in fiber. You should avoid avocados, vegetables made with creamed sauces or in high fat soups, and casseroles cooked in cheese or butter and margarine. If you need flavoring, add spices like dill weed or Mrs. Dash to add taste without adding fat.
Cooking Methods
Your cooking method affects the fat content of your diet. Choose methods like braising, broiling, grilling, boiling, baking, stewing, simmering and pan-broiling. These methods require very little to no fat and help you keep your fat intake within the 40 to 50 g per day range.
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