Although your gallbladder’s chief purpose is to store the bile your liver produces, you can live without your gallbladder. If your physician suggests removal due to gallstones or gallbladder disease, you can expect to follow a similar diet to the one you did before gallbladder surgery, providing you were following a healthy diet. However, while you are healing after surgery, your physician will likely recommend a bland diet to minimize nausea and vomiting.
General Rules
A bland diet is intended to minimize stomach upset following intestinal surgery and also is typically low in fiber, which helps to reduce the squeezing motions initiated in the stomach and intestines to move foods down your digestive tract. Because the gallbladder was previously responsible for helping to digest fats, your diet also will be low in fat to give your body time to adjust to the changes in your anatomy. While there is no specific time frame you will stay on the bland diet following surgery, your physician may advise you to begin adding foods back in as pain and nausea lessen. It typically takes a few days for your appetite to return, according to UNC School of Medicine.
Protein Sources
Because some proteins can be rich in saturated fats, choose lean protein sources following gallbladder removal surgery. Your body needs proteins after surgery to repair damaged tissue from your surgical incision. Examples of lean proteins include eggs, poultry, white fish and shellfish prepared either by steaming, baking or grilling. If you are a vegetarian, you also can eat tofu and creamy peanut butter.
Additional Choices
In addition to lean proteins, you also can consume low-fat milk or other dairy products, such as yogurt or cheese. Instead of whole-grain foods, choose lower-fiber refined grains, such as white bread, crackers and pasta. You can have cooked, canned or frozen vegetables and fruits, but minimize your intake of fruits that have seeds and/or skins. Examples of approved foods would include applesauce and canned pears. Soups, pudding, custard and weak tea are options to soothe the digestive tract.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods are more likely to cause nausea, diarrhea or vomiting after surgery. These include chocolate, peppermint, hamburgers, fried foods, pastries and pizza. Spicy foods also can stimulate the stomach -- stay away from spicy foods such as pepper, paprika, chili, garlic and onions. You should also avoid fried foods after gallbladder removal surgery.
