Diet after Gall Bladder Removal

Gall Bladder:

The gall bladder is a small organ that is part of the digestive system. It aids the concentration of bile in the liver and helps digestion. The organ is located in the concavity of the gallbladder fossa, within the liver. Fully distended, it never measures more than 10 cm in length. The 4 cm diameter is cut across the fundus, neck and body of the organ. The gall bladder has a columnar epithelial lining, with connective tissue beneath. Below this tissue there is a muscle that reacts to the peptide hormone, cholecystokini. The gall bladder stores bile and releases the same when fatty food components enter the digestive tract. This process helps to emulsify and neutralize fats.

Gall Bladder Surgery:

Gall bladder surgery is suggested for the removal of the organ in the following conditions:

• Gallstones develop within the gall bladder or along the biliary tract.
• A condition referred to as Porcelain gall bladder is observed.
• Gall bladder cancer.
• The organ does not function normally, a condition also called biliary dyskinesia or gall bladder disease.

Symptoms of an infected gall bladder include:

• Pain in the region, after meals
• Breathing problems (sometimes)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion

The removal of the gall bladder is either by cholecystectomy, the open surgery method or laparoscopy. In the case of cholecystectomy, the gall bladder is removed through an incision. The surgery is always performed under general anesthesia. The operation involves a cut and seal-off, of the bile duct and blood vessels that lead to the gall bladder. Once the gall bladder is removed, a cholangiogram is conducted by introducing dye into the bile duct. This procedure helps the surgeon to identify remnants of stones, if any are left behind. The surgery takes about an hour.

In laparoscopic surgery or minimal invasive surgery, the incision is never more than 1.5cm. The surgery within the abdominal cavity is part of the endoscopy surgical procedure. The surgery uses the sophisticated laparoscope. This instrument is either a telescopic rod lens connected to a camera or a digital laparoscope, which is charge-coupled. There is a fiber optic cable system that is attached to a halogen source light that is lowered to illuminate the region within the abdominal cavity. Carbon dioxide gas is used to insufflate the abdomen, to create a viewing and work space.

Diet after Gall Bladder Removal:

There are bound to be temporary digestive issues with digestive health, post surgery. This is mainly because of the difficulty faced by the body to dissolve and emulsify fats, after the gall bladder removal. Unmonitored, high-fat intake after the surgery, could result in diarrhea or puffiness in the region.

The diet should include:

• Lean meat, skinned fish and chicken
• Eggs
• Skimmed milk
• Low fat cheese, yogurts and spreads
• Soups
• Salads
• Grilled fish and chicken
• Legumes

Foods that need to be avoided:

• Fried foods
• Spicy food
• Whole grain breads
• Cereals, seeds and nuts
• Baked beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Peanuts
• Pastries

After the removal of the gall bladder, it is very essential to maintain a low carbohydrate and high protein diet. Reduction in cooking medium while tempering meats and fish helps a lot. It is also advisable to adopt six smaller meals rather than three large ones. Without the gall bladder, digestion does become difficult and hence this shift in the diet plan is required. A liquid diet for some time is ideal. However, if it is not completely possible, then you could consider semi liquid meal components that are non-fatty and low-carb, essentially.