Nutrition and healthy eating

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• March 26, 2013 8:30 p.m.

  One other item I found that works, mixing berries (frozen or fresh) with yogurt and a teaspoon of raw honey. As much as possible, I try to buy local food, or food grown in the US that is organic-farmer's markets is a good resource. Sweet potatoes with a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and yogurt are easy to digest and offer some more flavor. I bake French fries, use dash and no oil. At this point I stay away from anything that could trigger an upset or painful stomach. Apples are too hard for me to digest at the moment, so I have just plain (no added ingredients)apple sauce-organic. Pineapple in small doses has worked. Ginger tea or fresh ginger in my food helps. If you can budget the purchase of a vitamix (Costco) or something that is equivalent, the ability to liquefy fresh produce may also help in getting the nutrients you need with better results. Coconut water/milk or almond milk has been my back-up plan. I know I am missing something, but doing my best to stay ahead of any further medical problems in the future. This experience brought on a lifestyle change.

  - Dana

• March 26, 2013 8:30 p.m.

  Cathe, I am so sorry that you are feeling this way. I had my GB out in Januart 2013, and am feeling a lot better. The first week was really hard. Everything I ate ran thru me and bloated me to the point I stayed in my pj's. I couldn't get comfortable laying on my side. Had to sleep propped up on pillows for about two weeks. I took what I was eating very slow. Stayed away from caffeine, beef, milk products. I felt like living on saltine crackers, broth, water and yogurt. What I figured out is probiotics really helped me. Adding in one food at a time so I could judge what I could and couldn't eat so I didn't feel so bloated or have to run to the bathroom. I even slowly started adding milk products and beef back into my diet. After 2 weeks I also started exercising. I still find foods that I can't eat that will bloat me, I just either don't eat them or only eat them once in a while when I know I will stay home. I also am sleeping back on my side. I know you have heard everyone's body excepts things differently, just take your time and let your body adjust. Almost 3 months after having mine out I still can't drink coffee. I really miss coffee. I will try it again to see if it still upsets my stomach. Good luck and I know you will find yor way.

  - Terri

• March 26, 2013 4:47 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago. Due to some complications prior to the removal, I was kept in the hospital for 4 days and on antibiotics for 2 weeks. Based on the research I have conducted since the removal, this is what I have found: Probiotics! A winner hands down. It helps with digestion and offers multiple benefits.I also take good belly shots. I take a LIQUID/water absorbed form of ubiqinol, Multiple B. Occasionally I add milk thistle for my liver, which has tested well so far. Once a day I take a powdered multi-vitamin mixed with low acid orange juice.(All vitamins I take are capsules for better absorption) Caffeine from coffee and other items have upset my stomach, so I resorted to milder forms of caffeine-green tea and gi. I eat low fat yogurt, lactaid free 0% milk, steamed veggies. Salmon so far has been ok, almond butter on a piece of whole grain high fiber bread, raw honey and non-gelatin jello. Some salads with baby greens, arugula and cilantro have been okay, light, low fat salad dressing.(lemon, olive oil and maybe apple cider vineger) Very little wine (in the future).Drink lots of water! With everything I eat, I count the fat, carbs,salt and sugars. I am diligent in taking small amounts of food, low acid/spice foods (it hurts if I eat too much) and I walk-a lot. The process at this time seems to work, I see it as an opportunity to move forward in my life as a healthier person.Want to learn more about balancing vitamins and nutrients for best results.

  - Dana

• March 26, 2013 7:55 a.m.

  Since gallbladder surgery, I sometimes have trouble with any dish containing a tomato sauce. This includes skettie sauce with no meat. Never bothered me before.

  - Rita

• March 24, 2013 7:00 p.m.

  Had my gallbladder removed 10/26/2012. I was admitted to the hospital a week later because of internal bleeding from an incision site. I still haven't figured out what to eat. I am under 110lbs. My surgeon said people who have trouble after surgery are eating high fat food or have Celiac Disease. I am already on a gluten free diet. I was diagnosed with Celiac after a biopsy in 2005. I don't eat fatty or any fried foods. I am looking for high protein and gluten free snacks, nuts caused nauseousness and trips to the bathroom. I have also always been lactose intolerate. A friend who had her gallbladder removed over 20 yrs ago knows that her triggers are pork, garlic, onion, iceburg lettuce and cuccumber. She eats full fat desserts etc. Sorry to scare those who are awaiting surgery. I think we'll figure this out. Let go and let God is what I'm telling myself.

  - Holly

• March 24, 2013 6:39 p.m.

  OK! Now I am nervous after reading all these comments. is it really worth having your gallbladder taken out? Is there a diet that will dissolve the stones. I am scheduled to have mine taken out on the 27th.

  - RETHA

• March 22, 2013 2:17 p.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed approximately 9 years ago. Within the last several years, I can no longer tolerate dairy except for certain cheeses. Milk shakes - OUT Ice Cream - OUT Milk - OUT. I also lately have to watch carefully what I eat. No fried foods or very few. It drives me crazy. I'm getting to where I know which restaurants I can and I can't eat at. Even though I had to have the gallbladder removed, they should really give a 'heads up' to this problem with diarrhea, in my opinion.

  - Debra

• March 22, 2013 1:31 p.m.

  I am an O.R. RN, removed tens of thousands of gallbladders in my 35 year reign in the surgical arena. At 53 and in pretty descent shape, watching a balance of what i have eaten, fasting maybe three times a year...seven days ago, i had mine out. Two years ago my first attack, they could not find anything significant. Now a week ago i thought i was having a heart attack... Called my very good friend, surgeon, whom i have worked with for many years and he told me it was my gallbladder. Sonogram revealed stones were present. He scheduled me for last Friday to be removed. Laparoscopically removed, cholangiogram done...no more stones...no more gallbladder :(. I have never been so uncomforable in ALL my life. I am eating a bland diet of chicken soup, jello, yoguart, toast, chicken broiled i am STILL uncomfortable, my stomach blows up like i am 7 months pregnant!! The other night i thought I was having another heart attack! What, When, how, why????? omg i feel like crying,well i am crying :'(. The pain from the incisions are tolerable maybe the midline upper incision hurts the most. If i sleep on my right side (which I have been doing since childhood!!) is very uncomfortable, i envision my intestines and liver adhesing! It wakes me out of a sound sleep! but, incisional pain will go away, what i am afraid of is that the bloating and pain that i feel from eating or not eating will not go away. For the first time in my life I am miserable and do not know what to do :(

  - cathe

• March 21, 2013 7:04 p.m.

  Right after i had my son 5 months ago i had to get my gal bladder removed a month ladder now i been gaining alotbof weight how can i lose it.

  - jordan

• March 21, 2013 4:56 p.m.

  I am having my surgery tomorrow morning and this Post has helped. I will post back in a few weeks with how well. Thanks, Angela

  - Angela

• March 19, 2013 4:21 p.m.

  I am less 2 weeks after gallbladder removal following a n-ear-septic backup due to a stone blocking the intestinal duct. I have always eaten low-fat, low-sodium, and fresh food we cook ourselves. I am having to watch that I only have small quantities of dairy products at one time and that I eat a very low-fat diet. The best meal that is easy to fix is a can of chicken in broth, a can or box of low-fat chicken broth, and some whole-wheat pasta which I cook in broth instead of water. You may need to add some extra broth after the pasta is cooked [note: do NOT drain the pasta, just add chicken to the cooked pasta in broth. If you feel like adding carrots, mushrooms, or other vegetables, feel free--I just am wanting a very bland diet; and this home-made "chicken noodle soup" is fitting the bill nicely. I eat some fresh fruit or jello made with fruit juice [replaces the water called for in jello directions] to complement the "soup," and I am very filled but have gotten protein, fiber, and fluids in one punch with the vitamins of fruits on the side. It is a good-sized meal, but I make myself eat less and then "snack" on whole-grain crackers, etc. Hope this helps those of you looking for some healthy food that is tolerated, easy to prepare, and causes no weight gain! Good luck!

  - ML

• March 19, 2013 10:43 a.m.

  My husband had his galdbladder removed about 6 years ago. Prior to that surgery he had a triple bypass. He has suffered every digestive sympton under the sun from reflux to bowel problems and he has had every diagnostic test available with no diagnosis for his problems. Some dr's have said it is probably medicine induced others have stated they pretty much think it;s in his head (which I don't think constant diarehea can be in your head). After a recent colonectomy a new doctor sat down and actually looked at his history and had an "AHA" moment when he seen his galdbladder removal. He suggested a diet that consists of mostly fresh veggies and fish, no dairy or hydronated/saturated fats. He basically said if it is in your cupboard or a box in the freezer don't eat it. Has anybody else tried a diet like this? Is it working?

  - Cathy

• March 18, 2013 3:10 p.m.

  I am two weeks post Gall bladder Surgery (full of stones and infected) I really have seen no difference in my digestive processes. I am relieved to have no pain and bloating that was common over the past few years. I am one to eat a low fat, very little dairy diet - rarely fry any food or eat red meats. I use soy products and eat lots of fruit and veggies. I dont know if I am blessed or maybe my body hasnt reacted to my diet yet. The surgery was a breeze I just wish I would have had it done back when I first had my attacks. Good luck to all of you :)

  - Kim

• March 18, 2013 9:47 a.m.

  Hi! I had my Gallbladder removed yesterday march 17,2013 and I am only 21 years old. I have one 15mm stone in my gallbladder and my liver already is infected so they decided to remove my gallbladder. I just want to ask if what food should i eat and any advise that will help me for my fast recovery and heal my wounds. Thanks guys!

  - Jefferson

• March 17, 2013 5:48 p.m.

  Hi, I had my gallbladder and stones removed in Dec and I eat everything to see what I can handle and what I can't and right now I am having so many issues with eating before a specific time. I can't eat anything before 7pm but I am picking up more weight but lots of diarrhea that appears to be mostly yellow bile. I can't handle purified water and my sister who had her gallbladder out years ago is having the same issue with the water. I want to lose weight, eat healthy, and not worry about eating out and running to the bathroom. Thank you.

  - KINNEY

• March 17, 2013 9:52 a.m.

  Mine was removed Jan 20th, 2012 I did not have stones, my gallbladder was not working and was basically rotting in my body. After a while of dealing with it, they preformed emergency surgery because I had developed an infection. I am miserable. I cannot loose any weight, everything I eat tries to kill me my stomach is always bloated and I am not regular at all. I tell my dr's and they put me on Creon to help me digest food and this does not help at all.

  - Casadi

• March 16, 2013 8:29 a.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed in 4/12 as emergency surgery. I too had several gallstones and had no idea that this was what was causing the severe pain attacks until I went to the emergency room. The doctors previously kept telling me it was heartburn. Since last year I have gained weight, have been bloated and constipated. Changing what I eat hasn't been the answer either. I am 42 and my doctor thought it was pre menapause, but the test results came back negative. I have done a lot of research lately and started trying a gluten free diet this week. I have had no bloating and have dropped 2 pounds already. I feel relatively good and have alot of energy. I will continue this gluten free diet and hopefully have found my cure. Amy-maybe you could try it and see how you feel.

  - Jen

• March 14, 2013 8:19 p.m.

  in response to denise i too have that pain it is like a band across the side and in the back.. even after my gallbladder was removed.. they waited 2 yrs because it was confusing as to what the pain was coming from.. it is not as bad as before but it is still there.. they think it may be a pinched nerve that radiates toward the front there in the same area as the gallbladder so hence i may have had 2 thigs going on at the same time which is why it took 2 yrs before getting this gallbladder removed.. it was inflamed and had huge stones, so i am like you so frustrated.. sitting is painful i do not know what pain management will now do i alredy have an appointment for the 1st where they are doing radio active injections into my neck muscles.. i do have bulging and or herniated discs in my back at the lebel that could be causing the nerve pain in my side.. so i suppose have an mri done of your spine maybe that will help.

  - lorraine

• March 14, 2013 8:09 p.m.

  i had surgery 3 weeks ago.. at first everything was ok.. i was constipated but it passed.. but after it passed every time i eat any kind of fat at all i have cramping and a loose bowel. a lot of gas has been building up. i do not eat large ammounts of food at 1 time and no fast food. but any type of dairy also bothers me now. i hope it psses soon.

  - lorraine

• March 14, 2013 10:34 a.m.

  I had my gallbladder removed 8 years ago this comimg May. I was able to eat most foods a week after having it removed. I found that over the years I have had more trips to the bathroom as cramps and bloating occurred. and diareaha as well. After eating fatty foods I feel fine. So food is not that big of a problem. I only have the bloating and cramping every now and again and that has not been a big problem.

  - Juanita

• March 14, 2013 12:07 a.m.

  I had my gall bladder removed 27/03/2013 my gall bladder was full of stones and was infected and necrosis had set in I found out last week when seeing my surgeon. I must say I have been taking it very easy with food and eating little and often avoiding fried, dairy and caffeine. I feel loads better now and visiting my surgeon again tomorrow for another check up. Last week he told me to start eating normal foods and not to stick to a light diet which I have done and it would clear up the loose bowels I was suffering, and now I am bowels are back to a normal. All in all I feel 90% better already just after a short period of time. Hope this helps someone else.

  - Carol

• March 13, 2013 5:59 p.m.

  I am only 4 weeks post gallbladder removal so perhaps my insides haven't yet settled down properly. However, I get pain which IS very similar to the pre-surgery pains, except less severe, i.e. a nagging ache on my right side (where the gallbladder used to be) and occasionally the "tightening band" sensation around my midriff which I'm sure most gallstone sufferers will recognise. I think I have identified that the discomfort I get IS related to what and how much I eat but I am still very much in the "trial & error" stage with food so I'm certainly no expert yet. Mostly 'though, I've noticed if I avoid obvious fats i.e. fat on meat or anything which contains a high ratio of fat e.g. pastry or shortbread, also cooking oil, cheese, cream, butter, whole milk - and if I keep my meals small, & eat fairly slowly then generally speaking, I feel ok. I think I feel better when I eat "little & often" because when I've allowed myself to get too hungry and then overeat & "wolf" it down, I suffer for a while afterwards. This has been my experience but, as I said, I am only 4 weeks into recovery so maybe it isn't very relevant to those of you who had surgery some time ago & are still suffering, but I hope sharing my expereience helps a bit.

  - Jean

• March 13, 2013 11:33 a.m.

  I had gallbladder removed 10 days ago after it became infected. I have gone back to eating a balanced diet, including a little bit of cake, pastry, red meat, poultry, veg, fruit, in fact I have eaten food I've not been able to eat in years! I feel amazing! Don't avoid food from fear, your body knows what it needs, just eat little and often. Good luck

  - Karen

• March 13, 2013 10:29 a.m.

  Have a scan done to see if what you are experiencing isn't an obstructed bowel! My wife was experiencing similar pain thought to be kidney stones but scan showed an obstruction. We were told it's a very common occurrence after any abdominal surgery. Hers was a single "violin string" of an adhesion and one snip and everything fell into place. Her gallbladder was removed 9/13/11, as first part of colon cancer procedure. Colon surgery was in April of 2012. Who knows which was the culprit? I suspect the latter.

  - Joe

• March 13, 2013 9:33 a.m.

  I have just recently found this article/site after a google search for diet after gallbladder surgery, but what I am really searching for is answers to the most intense pain on my left side where my gallbladder was removed. I had my gallbladder removed 8/14/12, as an emergency surgery. I had no idea this was going on. I had gallstones and my gallbladder was infected. A few days later I was back in the hospital for an abseses by my belly button. Four days later, with two different IV antibotices I was discharged with more antibotics. I have been experienced the stomach cramp and diahhara as well. For the most part, I know it's due to what I eat, so I try to advoid those high fat foods. The problem I am now having is EXTREME pain right where my gallbladder used to be. The pain is either sharp/stabbing or aching which goes around to my back. I've had every test, ultra sound, CAT scan & MRI all negative!! GI Dr. thought it might be gallstones in my bile duc, but none were found. I'm at a total loss and feel like I'm crazy. GI DR recommended that I go to primary care DR. Does ANYONE know what this pain could be? Is it just from my diet, as I'm not keeping up with the low fat diet or could it be something else? This pain feels just like when I had my gallbladder attack that led me to emergency surgery. Please! Any ideas anyone??

  - Denise