Diet After Cholecystectomy

Cholecystectomy is nothing but the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Gallbladder is a sac like pouch that is present near the liver and just below it. It collects and combines the bile pigments in the food, that are essential for fat digestion. It is the reason why gallbladder is an important organ of the digestive system. It combines the bile pigments in the partly digested food on its way to small intestine. Gallstones is one of the most prominent gallbladder diseases, which is caused due to excessive intake of fatty foods and high cholesterol levels. It is a fact that gallstones can get dissolved with certain medications but as a precautionary measure, the doctor advises cholecystectomy - surgical removal of the gallbladder. Once it is removed, the body cannot digest fats normally, and hence it is important to follow a well-planned, healthy diet.

Low-Fat Diet After a Cholecystectomy

The gallbladder function is to combine essential bile pigments into partly digested food, that play a vital role in the process of digestion. Since it is removed through cholecystectomy, you need to consume only the amount of fat which is required for a healthy lifestyle. Remember, that you should not opt for a total fat free diet (as many people may advice you), because it can lead to several gallbladder surgery side effects. Most of the time, people with cholecystectomy crave for fatty foods but their consumption can lead to diarrhea and other digestive disorders. A low fat diet is ideal as post gallbladder removal diet. When you consume a low fat diet that is basically high in fiber, then it helps to reduce cravings for fatty foods and problems like indigestion and constipation.

Liquid Diet
A clear liquid diet or other types of liquid diet is often the immediately recommended gallbladder surgery diet. A liquid diet is usually low fat and hence it allows fast recovery from such a surgical procedure. If there are not many problems regarding indigestion, then you can consume skim milk or powdered milk and protein powder along with certain fruits like apples, berries and bananas. You can also consume some easy to digest homemade smoothies with unsaturated oils. You can also have clear soups, chicken broths, chicken soups, ginger ale, etc. These can fulfill the need for vitamins and minerals in the body. A pure liquid diet is apt for the immediate week to 10 days after cholecystectomy. Soon after that, the doctor will recommend a solid diet with loads of nutrients to recover the condition of the digestive system.

Solid Diet
After the first week post cholecystectomy, the patient can make the transition to regular solid food diet. However, consuming as many natural and healthy foods is a key factor here. Although the gallbladder is removed, the body still produces bile. The only thing is that, now the process of combining it into the food is disrupted. Hence, you need to control the amount of fat that you consume. Make sure the fats that you consume are not more than 30% of the total calories that you consume. Consuming a low fat diet and avoiding saturated fats, processed oils, refined flours, fried foods, processed foods, etc. is the key. You need to rely upon a high fiber diet as well. Always concentrate on the following formula : fresh fruits and vegetable (at least 1 serving/day) + lean sources of protein (seafood, turkey, chicken) + healthy fats!

Recommended Diet After a Cholecystectomy

The diet after gallbladder removal must be moderate and you need to consume it sparingly. For instance, rather than having three straight meals, distribute your food in 5 to 6 small servings throughout the day. Try to include unsaturated oils like hemp seed oil, flax seed oil, olive oil, etc. but in an unprocessed manner. For instance, avoid cooking in oils although, you can include them as salad toppings and dressings. You can also consume lemon juice and vinegar or, drink a glass full of fresh lemon juice with two tablespoons of unprocessed olive oil. It is a great drink for fast recovery from cholecystectomy. You need to refrain from poultry, pork, dairy, chocolate, refined carbohydrates and carbonated drinks for a while. However, you can consume green tea and a generous amount of boiled, filtered water. Given below is a chart that briefly explains the foods that one should include and avoid in the diet after gallbladder surgery.

Food to Have	Food to Avoid
Lean meats	Fried food
Skinned fish	Spicy food
Chicken, eggs	Cereals, seeds and nuts
Skimmed milk	Whole grain products
Low fat cheese and yogurt	Baked beans, peanuts
Salads and soups	Broccoli
Total carbs	Brussels sprouts
Grilled chicken and fish	Cabbage
Legumes	Cauliflower
Unsaturated oil dressings	Pastries

Following a vegetarian diet after cholecystectomy is also found to be extremely important to decrease the recovery time. It is also recommended that one should not opt for weight loss diets immediately after cholecystectomy. Basically, consuming a lot of liquids and fiber and limiting fat intake will prove to be really beneficial for patients of cholecystectomy. Good luck!