If you are awaiting gallbladder surgery, your doctor may have recommended that you follow a low fat diet before and after the surgery. Before surgery, limiting fat intake eases stress on the gallbladder and can prevent gallbladder "attacks"---episodes of sudden, intense pain. According to the American Dietetic Association, the diet is designed to restrict fat intake if you have symptoms of bloating, diarrhea or oily stools when high fat foods are eaten. In addition, the American College of Surgeons recommends eating high fiber foods pre- and post-operatively.
Gallbladder Disease
According to the American Gastroenterological Association, the gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits beneath the liver. It receives bile, a digestive "juice," from your liver and stores it until you eat a meal. It then releases bile into your small intestine, where the bile aids in fat digestion. The most common cause for gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) is gallstones. Gallstones are hardened pieces of bile, ranging in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. A gallstone may lodge in a duct, causing sudden pain in the abdomen or radiating to the right shoulder or shoulder blade. The primary treatment for symptomatic gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Most people do well after surgery and have no difficulty digesting food. A small percentage of people report persistent diarrhea after gallbladder removal. According to the Mayo Clinic, this may be due to an increase in bile entering the large intestine, which may act as a laxative. In addition to following a low fat diet, they also recommend limiting caffeine and sweets.
Fruits, Vegetables and Starches
On a low fat diet, any type of fruit and vegetable is allowed. Include five to nine servings daily of fruits and vegetables, as they are naturally low in fat but high in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Limit or avoid fried vegetables; cream, cheese or butter sauces; or dips. Include six to 11 servings a day of whole grain starches---bread, pita, bagels, pasta, corn tortillas, barley, quinoa, brown rice and cereal. Limit high fat granola cereals, snack crackers, chips, fried rice and chow mein noodles.
Milk or Milk Products
Include two or more servings per day of dairy products, if they do not worsen diarrhea. Look for non-fat/fat-free/skim versions of milk, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese and cheese. Avoid products made from low-fat or whole fat milk or cream. Dairy products provide protein, calcium and vitamin D.
Meat and Meat Substitutes
Meat and meat substitutes are an important source of protein, iron and other minerals. Limit meat to 5 oz per day and select lean cuts. Choose white meat poultry without skin; veal; fish; legumes; tofu or other soy products; and eggs or egg substitute. For beef, look for loin or round cuts and 93 percent or higher lean ground meat. Lean choices for pork include Canadian bacon, ham, loin and center cuts. Look for 95 percent fat-free or higher lunch meats or hot dogs. Trim visible fat. Avoid fried, fatty or heavily marbled meats.
Fats
Choose healthy types of fats---mono- or poly-unsaturated instead of saturated or trans fats---and limit to three servings daily. Recommended choices include 1 tsp. margarine or canola or olive oil; 2 tsp. diet margarine or peanut butter; 1 tbsp. salad dressing, sesame seeds or sunflower seeds; 2 tbsp. avocado, diet salad dressing, light sour cream or light cream cheese; nuts---almonds, six; peanuts, 20 small or 10 large; pistachios, 18; and olives, 10 large.
Desserts and Sweets
It is best to limit sweets and desserts, which can worsen gallbladder attacks and diarrhea. Also, these foods are a source of "empty calories"---they don't provide any of the nutrients that your body needs. If included, choose small amounts of lower fat options: sherbet made with skim milk, nonfat frozen yogurt, fruit ice or sorbet, gelatin, angel food cake, vanilla wafers, ginger snaps, graham crackers, meringues, puddings made with skim milk, tapioca, fat-free cakes and cookies, hard candy, jelly beans, sugar, honey, jelly, jams, marmalades and maple syrup. Avoid higher-fat ice cream, pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, doughnuts and chocolate.
Beverages
Coffee, tea, cocoa made with skim milk, fruit juices, soft drinks, and water are allowed. If you have diarrhea, it is best to choose decaffeinated beverages. Limit sugar by choosing diet soft drinks. Avoid beverages made with high fat dairy products, including coffee drinks like lattes or Thai iced tea or coffee.
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