Cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder, is a common ailment and usually the result of gallbladder stones. When stones block the common bile duct this results in pain, nausea, vomiting and anorexia. If you have repeated bouts of gallbladder attacks, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of your gallbladder. Eating a healthy diet post-operatively can help you recover quickly.
Clear Liquids
Immediately following gallbladder surgery you can only have sips of water and ice chips. This is to protect you from accidentally gagging on your food or causing vomiting while the anesthesia wears off. During this period of time, fluids running through an intravenous line keep you hydrated until you are able to take adequate amounts of fluid by mouth. If your gallbladder was removed laparoscopically, or through small incisions in your abdomen, your recovery quickly progresses. If your gallbladder was removed through a large incision, it may take longer to recover.
Restarting the Diet
Once your diet is restarted in the hospital, you advance as you can tolerate more foods. This means beginning with a clear liquid diet of broths and juices, which move through the intestinal tract easily. If you are able to keep liquids down, you will be advanced to a regular diet. Once you can tolerate a regular diet, if everything else is going smoothly, discharge from the hospital is imminent.
Increasing Proteins
Most patients find that a bland diet that includes toast, rice, bananas, soups and pasta is easiest to digest initially following surgery. However, your surgeon may also recommend a diet that contains more protein than you consumed prior to surgery. The process of healing increases the metabolism and acquiring enough protein after surgery is important. The Cleveland Clinic recommends 2 to 3 servings of beef, fish, poultry, pork, veal, lamb, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, dried beans, peas or nuts daily during healing. Adding cheese to sandwiches, protein powders to drinks and beans to salads can increase your protein intake.
Obtaining Vitamins and Antioxidants
Vitamins and antioxidants are essential to the healing process. The Cleveland Clinic recommends consuming at least one serving a day of orange or yellow vegetables and orange fruits to obtain vitamin A. To obtain other important vitamins, such as vitamins C and B vitamins, include other fruits and vegetables in your daily diet such as strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and spinach, as well as cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Unless your doctor restricts them, you should introduce these foods slowly into your diet when you start solids after surgery.
