As a gallbladder disease patient, you're probably used to restrictions on your diet. People with gallstones and gallbladder inflammation generally need to watch how much fat they consume, and also might get symptoms they attribute to foods ranging from pepper to broccoli. You'll probably welcome the news that, once your gallbladder has been removed, you can go back to a fairly normal diet; you don't need any extra nutrients when compared to someone with a gallbladder. However, you should keep your fat intake low, and consume plenty of fruits and vegetables to obtain those important nutrients.
Basics
Your gallbladder stores digestive enzymes and holds them at the ready for when you consume a high-fat meal. It then releases them into your bile duct, where they travel to your stomach and small intestines and are used to digest fats. In some cases, your gallbladder can become infected and inflamed, and your doctor will recommend removing it. Once this occurs, your bile duct itself will expand so that it can store some of that extra bile.
Nutrition
People who have had gallbladder-removal surgery don't need anything different in terms of nutrients when compared to people who have healthy gallbladders. However, many people who have suffered from gallbladder disease also are overweight, and so sticking with a healthy diet filled with vegetables, fruit, fish, whole grains and occasional lean meat can help you lose weight. You may find you still can't tolerate certain foods that used to cause gallbladder attacks; for example, many people have trouble with foods in the cabbage family, which includes broccoli and kale. If that's the case, replace those vegetables with other green vegetables for the same nutritional effect.
Fat Content
You may find -- especially immediately after your gallbladder surgery -- that high-fat meals such as those featuring fried foods or large quantities of red meat cause digestive symptoms. This will tend to steer you naturally toward a healthier, more nutritious diet. You should keep the fat content in your meals very low initially; in fact, try to consume no more than 3 teaspoons of butter or oil per day, and stick with lean meats and low-fat dairy products. If you exceed this amount, the excess fat may cause diarrhea, bloating and even fecal incontinence.
Once your body has adjusted to life without a gallbladder, you can increase the amount of fat. However, you should try to steer clear of animal-based saturated fats such as those found in red meat and dairy products, and instead consume foods with healthier fats, such as oily fish, salads dressed with olive oil and nuts.
Considerations
People following a healthy diet that's high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and low in saturated fat may not need to take extra vitamins in order to get the recommended daily allowance of nutrients. However, if you think you need supplements to provide nutrients you're not getting from your diet, talk to your doctor first. She may be able to suggest specific changes to your diet that can help make it more nutritious.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gallstones
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Gallstones and Gallbladder Disease; June 26, 2009
- NetWellness.com; What Type of Diet Should I Be On If I Have Gallbladder Problems?; Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, MEd, RD, LD, et al.; July 14, 2010
- Columbia University; What Can I Eat After Having My Gallbladder Removed; April 28, 2011
