What to expect after gallbladder removal: Side effects and dietary tips

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located just under the liver. It’s function is to store and release bile, a greenish-colored fluid that helps your body digest fats.

This tiny but significant organ can be affected by several conditions – one of the most common ones being gallstones. Also, the gallbladder can be affected by acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, and rarely, gallbladder cancer. 

When any of these conditions affect the organ, it results in pain that can also be felt on other parts of the body, including the back or chest. At the same time, gallbladder issues can cause fever, itching, tiredness, feeling bloated, and feeling like throwing up.

Most of these conditions are treated by a complete removal of the gallbladder, which isn’t considered an essential organ.

Following the surgery, people continue living a normal life, but as per the Mayo Clinic, there are certain side effects that appear right after surgery, such as diarrhea caused by an irritated bowel due to the bile that without a gallbladder flows directly into the intestines, and bloating.

Complications, that are relatively rare since the procedure is considered safe, are bleeding, injury of the bile duct, bile leakage, deep vein thrombosis, or injuries to the intestine, bowel and blood vessels.

Post surgery, patients are advised to avoid greasy and fatty foods.

The changes in diet lead to weigh loss at a great number of patients.

Doctors advice that during the first days post-surgery patients consume liquids, gelatine, broth. They should move to small portions of solid food gradually.

The post-surgery diet should be rich in low-fat foods such as beans, oatmeal, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and fat-free dairy products. A couple of days after the surgery, patients can introduce foods that are high in fiber, such as prunes, oat bran, chickpeas, beets, and okra. Also, they can consume foods high in soluble fiber such as wheat germ, legumes, carrots, nuts, potatoes, and spinach. 

Foods to avoid post-surgery include high-fat foods such as lard, butter, bacon fat, hot dogs, salami, processed baked goods, and pork. Also, try to avoid high-sweetened foods and caffeine.

Most people return to work and their everyday activities two weeks to a month after the gallbladder removal surgery.

*Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider with any questions about your health or medications. Do not disregard professional advice based on this information.

Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.

Bored Daddy

Love and Peace

Monica Pop
Monica Pop
Monica Pop is a senior writer for Bored Daddy magazine covering the latest trending and popular articles across the United States and around the world.

More from author

Related posts

Latest posts

Girl, 5, died days after being misdiagnosed with a cold

When 5-year-old Cathy Kassis was taken to the doctor's office, doctors said she had cold and would soon recover. Sadly, that's not what happened....

Lake Tahoe birthday boat outing turns tragic — 8 lives lost in sudden storm

What was supposed to be a joyous birthday celebration turned into a devastating tragedy after eight people lost their lives when a boat capsized...

Why Melania Trump skipped the baby shower of stepdaughter Tiffany Trump

Tiffany Trump’s pregnancy was revealed in October when her father, businessman-turned-president Donald Trump, shared the news with the crowd at an event at the...

The real-life crime drama of Woody Harrelson: Shocking truth about his dad

Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson, best known for his memorable roles in Natural Born Killers, The Hunger Games, Cheers, and No Country for Old Men,...

Woman is diagnosed with cancer — believes a popular sandwich is to blame

Lucie Morris-Marr, an investigative journalist and author of the book Processed, received a shocking bowel cancer diagnosis when she believed was in the best...

Little girl stabs plane passenger with fork — gets shoe threat in return

A viral TikTok video shows a little girl on a 14 hour Qatar Airlines flight stabbing a random passenger with a metal fork while...