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  • With Mayo Clinic nutritionists

    Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

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  • Nutrition-wise blog

  • July 13, 2011

    What's OK to eat after gallbladder removal?

    By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

997 comments posted

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I just got a phone call from a retired Mayo Clinic doctor asking why we don't have a gallbladder removal diet. He went on to explain that he'd had a very uncomfortable and embarrassing incident after eating a large meal that contained lots of fat. My response was that there isn't a set diet people should follow after gallbladder removal because the guidelines depend on the individual.

It's helpful to know a little background: The gallbladder collects bile, a fluid that is produced by the liver, and releases it when you eat to aid the breakdown and absorption of fat. Between meals, bile collects in the gallbladder and is concentrated. When the gallbladder is removed, bile is less concentrated and it drains continuously into the intestine. This affects digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. How much of a problem it is varies from person to person. With time, the body often adjusts and becomes better at digesting fatty foods.

The amount of fat eaten at one time also factors into the equation. Smaller amounts of fat are easier to digest. On the other hand, large amounts can remain undigested and cause gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Although I don't have a specific gallbladder removal diet to recommend, I can offer general advice for avoiding problems after you've had your gallbladder removed:

  • Eat smaller, more frequent meals. This may ensure a better mix with available bile. Include small amounts of lean protein, such as poultry, fish and nonfat dairy, at every meal, along with vegetables, fruit and whole grains.
  • Go easy on fat. Avoid high-fat foods, fried and greasy foods, and fatty sauces and gravies. Instead, choose nonfat or low-fat foods. Read labels and look for foods with 3 grams of fat or less a serving.
  • Gradually increase the fiber in your diet. This can help normalize bowel movements by reducing incidents of diarrhea or constipation. However, it can also make gas and cramping worse. The best approach is to slowly increase the amount of fiber in your diet over a period of weeks.
  • Be aware that after gallbladder surgery some people find that the following are difficult to digest: caffeinated beverages and dairy products.

Talk with your doctor if your symptoms are severe, don't diminish, continue over time or if you lose weight and become weak.

I'd like to hear from anyone who has had gallbladder surgery — do you have problems — or are you able to eat almost everything? Any advice you can share?

- Jennifer

997 comments posted

blog index

  • June 19, 2013 8:18 a.m.

    I had my gallbladder out June 13. Robotically assisted procedure. It was full of stones. it's been almost a week and I'm feeling pretty good. One warning that I was thankful for knowing is that you may experience shoulder/back pain. My doc was so right! The shoulder pain was intense but went away within a day or so. It's caused by the gas they put into your belly while operating. My diet has been low fat, no dairy and all is going well. Suffered a bit (about 4 days) from cramps, gas but that is a normal side affect when taking narcotics. I'm off narc and havent needed anything for pain. I'm hoping this is all worth it. I was in a lot of pain and eating only saltines prior to surgery. So far so good! Good luck Sharon!

    - p

  • June 15, 2013 10:31 a.m.

    Just had my gall bladder out this week. Until this morning my only complaint has been very sore. Which is to be expected. This morning I had greek yogurt for breakfast. I immediately became nauseous with vomiting. It must be the yogurt. I have been eating small meals that consist of soups, toast and or crackers. Breakfast yesterday was cream of wheat with brown sugar and butter without problems. So I guess I need to avoid dairy products for a while.

    - Linda

  • June 14, 2013 2:20 a.m.

    I just had my gall bladder removed 2 weeks ago. I was placed on a regular diet after my nausea subsided as a result from surgery. I also suffer from IBS, so my intestines are already very sensitive. I have had a pretty easy transition although I have also experienced diarrhea. I recommend using a probiotic (Target carries one that has been very effective), eating more raw fruits & veggies than you normally would, lots of water, and homemade iced tea. I like a cup of coffee in the morning but not anymore than that. Grilling or baking my main courses have been successful as this allows the extra fat to be dripped away from the rest of the food. I go easy on the dairy, greek yogurt has helped, but yoplait light hasn't caused any problems. I would really like so more suggestions.

    - Charon

  • June 13, 2013 10:36 p.m.

    Hi Sharon, I get being scared because i was terrified. I posted below and want to let you know that even though my digestive system is recovering slowly i'm getting better every day. I was really sick before surgery and in constant pain for weeks and couldn't even handle the fat in chicken broth and forget about any dairy or meat. I'm soooo much better now. This is major surgery and its taking time to heal but it is healing and i feel a billion times better now -teri

    - anonymous

  • June 13, 2013 8:54 p.m.

    I had gallbladder surgery years ago, and I probably had symtoms with it and probably still do, but my worst problem is that I gained weight, and I can't get rid of it. I have tried several things for weight loss, exercising, dancing, etc., but to no avail. I cut down on eating, hardly eat breakfast, lunch is small, and dinner is relatively normal. I have been doing this for the past 14 years, and I can't lose the fat, that now just hangs there in my mid and lower section. I probably have around 50 pounds of fat that won't move, no matter what I do and the one in my lower mid section that just hangs there. I have started SENSA, and using the treadmill for 10 minutes every morning. I see some lose of fat on my face, but muscle is growing so that's all the loss I see.

    - Paula

  • June 13, 2013 7:32 p.m.

    Weird. I had my gallbladder removed on the 12th and haven't experienced any side effects when eating. My incision points are still sore and I was constipated up until today but attributed that to taking norco. I have been taking 2 tabs of senna to help with the pooping but haven't noticed anything else. Sorry you are all feeling so bad. Fingers crossed that I don't run into any of these issues.

    - Jen

  • June 13, 2013 7:29 p.m.

    I AM SCARED AFTER READING ALL THE BLOGS. I AM GOING JUNE 27TH TO HAVE MINE OUT? SHOULD I? DOES ANYONE FEEL BETTER AFTER SURGERY?

    - SHARON

  • June 13, 2013 2:13 p.m.

    i had my gallbladder removed in may,and it is a lifestyle change,i'm considered obese so i can afford to loose weight,that's the upside,but i just don't know what to eat for breakfast besides oatmeal and fruit.i really need a breakfast diet, something healthy.on my post-op visit i informed my dr.i want my gallbladder back. thanks for listening

    - pamela

  • June 12, 2013 4:44 p.m.

    Hi, I had my lap chole 2 weeks ago today (a few 2cm stones and hundreds of tiny ones & sludge). The first 5 days were rough with lots of lower right quadrant/flank/kidney area pain and nausea. After about a week the pain passed and now I just have a minimal amount of incision pain in the belly button area. My dr wants low fat dt for at least 3 wks. I was unable to tolerate any nonfat dairy for the first week. After 9 days I was able to tolerate about 2oz of chicken every other day and had to pretty much stick with about .5 grams of fat per meal otherwise. Yesterday (day 13) I was able to eat 4oz of talipia (pan grilled with 1/4 tsp of olive oil & spices). Afterwards, no pain or nausea. Today I tried a hot tea with some nonfat milk in it and have tolerated it okay. I am noticing a kind of muscle spasmy feeling in the area where the gallbladder was after about 2 hours. Dairy just seems more challenging for me now. I have not tried red meat or pork yet. But, I'm trying to get excited about by finding new foods to love. I have found that a lot of Mediterranean and Indian food is vegetarian and naturally low fat with lots of flavor. I also found a raisin bread that has less than .5fat/slice that goes great with a fruit smoothie (fruit,whey protein no dairy) for breakfast. Rice cooked in veg broth w/veg and fat free beans (all kinds) have become my safe foods. Trying fat free pretzels with homemade low fat hummus tomorrow. But...I miss chocolate and I'm sick of being afraid

    - anonymous

  • June 11, 2013 12:42 p.m.

    I had my Gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago, and my body is still in shock. I cant eat anything. I ate a crossaint for breakfast and with 15 minutes, I had to run to the restroom.I'm scared to eat anything, fearing I have to run to the bathroom. I was hospitalized for 5 days, I had over 25+ stones, one which was the size of a gulf ball. I thought that I would bounce back from this surgery, but I'm still not feeling well. I'm just concerned about what I can eat. I dont eat any fatty or greasy foods. I may have to meet with a nutritionist for assistance.

    - No name given

  • June 11, 2013 10:26 a.m.

    S I had surgery gallbladder,appendix and cystaremovedall at once. Drsaid I could eat normal foods when I was discharged,however I admit I was dumb and area hamburger which only made me feel so bloated i can barely walk i feel like mt tummy is so fat due to the bloatness..I seriously say people we just had surgery we can't just automatically eat regular,we have to be on a liquid diet at least a week and slowly add other foods into it slowly then the next week and more and continue to due this. Our body is in shock something was taken out treat ourselves like it was major..eat right,liquids to start at least the first week then add foods ,,we only get this body once so let's take care of it! Soft foods easy to digest, no acidy foods! I'm gonna beat this,Drs please don't tell pts to eat normal, it's wrong we need to start slow!

    - B

  • June 10, 2013 11:59 p.m.

    ok I just had my gallbladder removed a week ago and I feel NO PAIN!!! of course I am very nauseated! but it turns out that I if you get motion sickness ECT you will suffer from it! however unlike what I see posted here, I had mine removed by the army hospital and they did a few tests before and found my gall bladder was NOT WORKING AT ALL!!! (they believe that I tried to pass a big stone and it scared the opening!) if you are in this boat with me then (HOPEFULY!) congratulation! I have no diarrhea constipation ANYTHING!! my only thing is I am hungry a lot and eat VERY SMALL proportions (3 celery sticks and I am full!) but then an hour later I am craving something that would sound horrible with what I ate before! (ie celery than later lowfat icecream!) SIGH! no break, so I am off to scrounge the internet for good diets to help though I really don't need them! oh and the incisions? my cousin (she had hers removed a week before me LOL) HERS got slightly infected (she has a kid though and tried doing to much!) she suffers no nausea and is healing well too! PS I am taking only knock off anti-acid pills, ibreprophen and Tylenol (for my headaches! yes! I have min. pain at the incision, the only one that hurts a little is the one right in my belly button...they should have put that one up higher! oh and half of the nausea was because I CAN NOT EVER take OXYCODEN! and that is what they gave me! GRRRRRRR

    - staci

  • June 10, 2013 5:36 p.m.

    I had my gall bladder removed in early Feb. of this year. It was so infected and full of sludge that it was removed "open" as opposed to arthroscopically. I was off work for a month while I healed and had no pain other than from the incision. A few weeks after returning to my "normal" lifestyle, I noticed weight gain, bloating, gas and irritability. I researched the internet and read that bile salts taken daily can help with this problem. I am on a low dose to begin with and I'm already sleeping better and feeling better in general but I definitely watch my fat intake and will always have to. Hope th is helps someone.

    - Patty

  • June 9, 2013 11:26 a.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed exactly 2 weeks ago today. I am still going through constant pain, it has lessened to about a 5 from an 8 when d/c from the hospital. It seems that anything I eat causes some sort of extra pain or discomfort. Especially anything with extra spices or seasoning, soda, and ice cream. It even gets so uncomfortable and painful that I cant even have my shirt touch the side the incisions were made.

    - Jori

  • June 9, 2013 9:57 a.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed in '08; I have problems ever since. I have tried to manage the bloating and pain but get exhausted from trying to figure out what is the correct thing to do. There are times that the distention is so bad that my abdomen is sore t o the touch and bruised. Not eating makes it worse. Help!

    - Eileen

  • June 9, 2013 5:46 a.m.

    June the 9, 2013 I cooked organic beets with lemon juice and olive oil before surgery, which helped with the symptoms, but after surgery I added some raw garlic and it was a mistake. I was miserable. A tightness and pressure came back. Lasted a few hours. L

    - Lena

  • June 8, 2013 11:07 p.m.

    i HAVE FOUND THAT BEFORE SURGERY AND AFTER .THAT IF I JUICE APPLES, AND DRINK IT IT HELPS. TRY IT ....IT REALLY WORKS. THE PECTIN IN THE APPLES ,DID DEVOLVE THE GALLSTONES.,HAD SLUDGE..THEY TOOK OUT ANYWAY..SO WHEN STOMACH GETS TO ACIIDLY..JUICE APPLES ,DRINK.. INSTANT RELIEF..OR TO MUCH BILE IN SYSTEM.. ONLY HOME JUICED APPLES WORKS FOR ME.. TRY IT... S.

    - YVONNE

  • June 7, 2013 8:18 a.m.

    I am secretly hoping to end up like the 2% that seem to come out of this feeling great. I was aiming for great when I said yes to the surgery on June 2. Exactly a month earlier I was brought to my knees while on vacation and couldn't breath but no confirmed diagnosis. I hated that "probably gall bladder" provided no follow up as to where to go to improve the situation that for me was present for 6 months off and on. I'm not a big red meat eater, but my accupuncturist was a fan of whole milk and coconut oil, and the homeopath loved fish oil vitamins. I am depressed from the onslaught of negative patient feedback and lack of solid dietary suggestions. I was so exited to meet the dietician post-OP and was greeted by someone who had NOTHING to offer. abdomen, only this time I had vomited in the morning. I had promised myself that if one more ER visit said "gall bladder" I was ready to get it out of me. Now I am post op 5 days and terrified to eat, but I have tried a few things that curb my hunger, but still remain in my body making me very uncomfortable with constipation: steamed cauliflower, split pea/broccoli soup, grilled chicken, a plum, an apple, nonfat yogurt (which I never eat but since I'm terrified of the fat rumors, I had one.). I'm very boated. I'll try a stool softener. 750K people have this done in the US alone. The RDA/RNs and GPs need to do a better job educating people about how to avoid this since the statistics point to a restricte

    - Sarah

  • June 6, 2013 5:33 p.m.

    I'm with you guys!!! I had my gallbladder removed April 2013 because of a large stone. Now, I'm wondering if I could have done something other than cutting it out! The pain I get from eating now is not much worse than the pain I was getting from the stone. I now have to be so careful of what I eat and I need to have immediate access to a bathroom. If I had it to do over again I would have looked into a Naturopath...

    - Judy

  • June 6, 2013 6:25 a.m.

    I have just had my glabladder removed and it was taken out on the 31st off may. I then had prob with my bladder and had to be cather .and had a lot of pain Iam not eatting small amounts of food and feel alittle sick from time to time.

    - vicky

  • June 5, 2013 6:39 p.m.

    I had my gallbladder out about 8 years ago an I get diarrhea a lot is there ant thing to help me?

    - cheri

  • June 4, 2013 9:03 a.m.

    Im having my gall bladder removal on June 6th 2013, Im so afraid ive read several blogs and some are so horrifying, yet there are some positive quotes.. I praying for a full recovery and a Positive new begining.

    - Rose

  • June 3, 2013 4:07 p.m.

    I got my Gallbladder out March 7, 2013. About every 3 weeks I have terrible diarrhea, vomiting and I get VERY tired and the chills. It could last up to 4 day. I could only eat ice pops and take anti diarrhea & antacid meds.I don't eat fatty foods, my Dr was no help. Does or did this happen to anyone else? If so any advice?? Thanks, Sick of being sick!

    - Kim

  • June 2, 2013 2:10 p.m.

    I had my gallbladder removed a little over a month and so far I'm recovering nicely other than some pain at the incision sites. Ivdbeen a low fat eater for over 20 yrs. My diet has not changed however I have had some bathroom urgencies after drinking fruit juices. I It seems to go right through my system. Either way Im glad I had the stone filled diseaed gallbladder removed. I feel, and look healthy and I no longer suffer in horrible pain.

    - Jacqueline

  • May 31, 2013 11:42 a.m.

    This post is for Wendy. My daughter is post gallbladder removal and experiencing pain in the ssame area. She has a stone in her bile duct that is going to be removed with an ERCP procedure. She also has choledonchal cyst type I. We are hopeful that this will resolve the issues. Don't know if your doctor's looked for the blockage and cyst but thought we would mention it. Hope you get answers soon.

    - marie

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