Your gallbladder is a small saclike organ, nestled between the lobes of your liver, that receives and stores bile. Normally about half the bile your liver produces empties directly into the upper part of your small intestine, and the other half is stored in your gallbladder. Gallbladder disease, characterized by thickening and crystalization of bile, is common in the United States and is one of the most common surgeries performed on women, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Following gallbladder surgery, certain foods may cause digestive disturbance.
Background
Gallstones occur in about 10 percent of adults in the United States, according to San Jose State University. You may develop gallstones if your bile contains too much cholesterol or too much bilirubin -- broken-down red blood cells that form the pigment in bile -- or if your gallbladder functions improperly. If gallstones become too numerous, or if a stone lodges in the bile duct, the gallbladder can expand to dangerous proportions. When this occurs, prompt gallbladder removal, known as cholecystectomy, may become necessary.
High-Fat Foods
After gallbladder surgery, your bile duct, which carried bile from your liver to your gallbladder, will conduct bile directly into your small intestine. Over several months, it will stretch to hold small amounts of bile to make up for the loss of your gallbladder. While this accommodation is taking place, it is best to eat a low-fat diet. Avoid fried foods and high-fat meats and dairy products, as these foods may cause considerable pain and discomfort. Also avoid pastries, cakes, bakery items and other rich foods. A gradual return to eating fats is possible, but it is advisable to maintain a low-fat diet to decrease stress on your liver and digestive system.
Spices
Spicy foods, such as chili, cayenne and other types of pepper, irritate the lining of the digestive tract and can cause pain and distention. Similarly, avoid soft drinks, chocolate and refined carbohydrates, which are taxing for your liver and may cause bile congestion and discomfort.
Beneficial Foods
Foods that assist your liver can help you recover from gallbladder surgery and keep your digestive system functioning efficiently over the long term. Emphasize raw foods, which contain digestive enzymes, to help speed up the digestive process and decrease demands on your digestive system to supply these needed elements. Eat plenty of apples and other high-pectin foods to cleanse your liver. Beet juice also offers liver-cleansing properties that will ensure healthy bile production and flow. Additionally, refrain from overeating, which places excessive demands on your liver, and drink plenty of pure water, which cleanses your body and reduces toxin accumulation.
References
- Columbia University Health Services: What Can I Eat After Having My Gallbladder Removed?; April 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Gallstones; July 2011
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease - Surgery; Harvey Simon; June 2009
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