Diet After Gallbladder Surgery: Navigating the Holidays

If you have gallbladder surgery, you need to modify your diet for a few weeks afterward. Plan ahead so you have foods at hand that you like and that you can eat. 

At Turnquest Surgical Solutions, our board-certified bariatric surgeons, Dexter Turnquest, MD, and Victoria C. Chang, MD, provide detailed instructions on what you can eat and what you should avoid after gallbladder surgery. 

Eating the appropriate foods helps you recover faster and avoid unpleasant side effects. Here’s an outline of what you should and shouldn’t consume after surgery. 

Nutrition the first days after gallbladder surgery 

For several days after surgery, drink only clear liquids and broth. You may also eat gelatin. 

You can expect some diarrhea and watery stools at this time. Bile that used to enter the gallbladder now goes straight to your intestines. The missing step in your digestion causes diarrhea until your body adjusts to being without a gallbladder. 

Don’t drink alcohol for a while after surgery. It thins your blood, which can lead to more bleeding, and expands your blood vessels, which could increase swelling. If you’re at a holiday celebration, you can certainly take a few sips of champagne, but that’s it. 

Introducing foods after gallbladder surgery: What to eat 

After the first week, continue to stay hydrated. If you want something other than water, try noncaffeinated herbal teas such as chamomile or ginger, which can soothe your stomach. 

Start slowly with your food intake after gallbladder surgery. Stick with a healthy diet. Here are some examples.

Lean protein and low-fat food options

Low-fat foods are best for your digestive system at this point. Choose fish, chicken, and turkey for protein. 

No more than a third of your calories should come from fat. Choose low-fat food options such as egg whites, light mayo, and light salad dressing. Low-fat options help you avoid gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It’s best to skip the eggnog. 

Be judicious at holiday meals, where the menu is often laden with fat: Sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes loaded with butter, and the pumpkin pie are a few examples. 

Ask the cook in your family to save a plain sweet potato for you. Instead of pie, have a healthy and sweet dish of fresh fruit. These substitutions keep you free of miserable side effects that can occur if you eat foods that aren’t on the approved list.  

Soluble fiber 

You also need foods with fiber. Start with small servings of fiber and gradually increase your fiber intake each week. 

Good options for soluble fiber, which slows down digestion, include:

• Oatmeal
• Oat bran
• Tofu
• Chickpeas
• Brown rice
• Black beans and navy beans
• Pears and apples

Fiber helps prevent diarrhea and normalizes your bowel movements. 

Insoluble fiber 

You should also consume increasing servings of insoluble fiber, including foods like:

• Wheat bran
• Beans, lentils, and legumes
• Spinach
• Green peas
• Green beans
• Carrots
• Nuts
• Bread made with whole wheat flour

Blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries are also good sources of this type of fiber. Insoluble fiber absorbs fluid, so it helps form stools that aren’t watery. 

Foods to avoid 

Fatty foods are hard on your digestive system. Avoid full-fat dairy products, fatty and processed meats such as hot dogs, pork, beef, bacon, and salami, as well as spicy foods. They can cause distressing symptoms such as diarrhea and gas if you try to eat them too soon after gallbladder surgery. 

Caffeine can also upset your stomach after gallbladder surgery. You may love your morning joe, but it may not love you back for a month or two after your procedure. Reintroduce caffeine gradually. 

If you need gallbladder surgery, call one of our Houston, Texas, offices, or request an appointment through our online portal today.