Since your gall bladder is part of your digestive system, it should come as no surprise that you'll need to watch what you eat for a time after you have it removed. Foods that you used to enjoy may cause pain, and foods you didn't eat before may help you recover faster.
The Basics
Your gall bladder aids digestion by releasing bile into your small intestine to break down foods as they pass through. At times, that bile can harden into deposits called gall stones, necessitating the removal of the gall bladder. Without the organ present to aid digestion, your gastrointestinal system will change the way it functions -- at least temporarily.
Foods to Avoid
Some kinds of food will be especially hard on your digestive system during the first months after gall bladder surgery, reports Dr. Jennifer Nelson, a nutritionist with MayoClinic.com. Fatty, caffeinated, carbonated and acidic foods are common culprits -- though your digestive system may rebel against something entirely different.
Fiber
Fiber helps your digestion, but may do too good a job at first, causing bloating and gas that worsens the distress from your surgery. Gradually increase your intake of dietary fiber over the course of several weeks. You can use fiber supplements for this, or simply increase how many fiber-rich foods you make a part of your regular diet.
Probiotics
Probiotics, foods that contain or are friendly to the bacterial populations in your digestive tract, can also help ease digestion so you can get along without your gall bladder. Yogurt is the most popular probiotic food in the American diet, or you can use one of many over-the-counter probiotic dietary supplements.
Returning to Normal
According to Dr. David L Katz, your ability to digest a normal diet should return over the course of weeks or months after the surgery. The more you pay attention to a stomach-friendly diet while recovering, the faster this return to normal should be. As with any other major surgery, you should only make changes to your diet with the approval of your doctor or medical team.
Eating Schedule
While your digestion returns to normal, you may find it easier if you eat five to seven small meals per day rather than the traditional three large meals. This makes digestion easier, since the load is smaller at any given time.
Member Comments