After the liver produces bile, the gallbladder, a small organ located directly beneath the liver, stores it for future use. Small crystallized balls of bile, or gallstones, can form in the gallbladder, cause inflammation and infection, and make a cholecystectomy--the surgical removal of the gallbladder--necessary. After the operation, the body can no longer store the bile which aids in the digestion of fats. While most people are able to return to a normal diet after a cholecystectomy, there are dietary restrictions during recovery, and some people may need to alter their diet permanently.
Immediately After Surgery
Hospital stays after a cholecystectomy average from 2 to 6 days. After surgery, some patients will require a nasogastric tube to help remove fluids from the stomach. It's impossible to eat while the nasogastric tube is in place, so fluids and nutrition are provided intravenously. Once the nasogastric tube is removed, you can begin eating a fluid diet. Once you are able to tolerate soft solid foods without any discomfort, your physician will discharge you from the hospital.
During Recovery
Total recovery time after a cholecystectomy averages from 4 to 6 weeks, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. During this time, nutritionists generally recommend following a low-fat diet while the body adjusts to the changes in digestion. Once you are able to tolerate a low-fat diet easily, you can gradually introduce more fat into your diet.
After Recovery
The gallbladder isn't essential to digestion, and most people are able to return to a normal diet after they fully recover from their cholecystectomy. The gallbladder aids digestion by allowing the release of a large amount of bile at once to help break down high-fat meals. After surgery, the liver still produces bile, but because it is released into the digestive tract as a slow, steady stream instead of in one big gush, some patients have difficulty digesting high-fat meals and experience diarrhea and bloating. In these cases, physicians advise lowering the amount of fat in the diet. Although there is no proven link between a cholecystectomy and constipation--the surgery has even been shown to increase the frequency of bowel movements--because some patients perceive increased constipation after the surgery, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health recommends cholecystectomy patients eat a high-fiber diet and drink at least 6, 8-oz. glasses of fluid per day.
