- With Mayo Clinic nutritionists
Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
Katherine Zeratsky and Jennifer Nelson
Jennifer K. Nelson, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.N.S.D.
Jennifer Nelson is your link to a better diet. As specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, she plays a vital role in bringing you healthy recipes and meal planning."Nutrition is one way people have direct control over the quality of their lives," she says. "I hope to translate the science of nutrition into ways that people can select and prepare great-tasting foods that help maintain health and treat disease."
A St. Paul, Minn., native, she has been with Mayo Clinic since 1978, and is director of clinical dietetics and an associate professor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.
She leads clinical nutrition efforts for a staff of more than 60 clinical dietitians and nine dietetic technicians and oversees nutrition services, staffing, strategic and financial planning, and quality improvement. Nelson was co-editor of the "Mayo Clinic Diet" and the James Beard Foundation Award-winning "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook." She has been a contributing author to and reviewer of many other Mayo Clinic books, including "Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for EveryBody," "The Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" and "The Mayo Clinic/Williams Sonoma Cookbook." She contributes to the strategic direction of the Food & Nutrition Center, which includes creating recipes and menus, reviewing nutrition content of various articles, and providing expert answers to nutrition questions.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor of the nutrition and healthy eating guide, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.A Marinette, Wis., native, she is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She's active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in wellness nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and nutrition related to weight management and practical applications of nutrition-related lifestyle changes.
Other areas of interest include food and nutrition for all life stages, active lifestyles and the culinary arts.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Nutrition-wise blog
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July 13, 2011
What's OK to eat after gallbladder removal?
By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.
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
958 comments posted
January 25, 2013 8:17 a.m.
I am reading that everyone is doing great and having all of these bowel movements and I am here one week after surgery and fighting constipation. I have had to take stool softners, 2 fleet enemas, finally had two bowel movements, called me doctor because I have not had another one and they say to keep taking the stool softner like I already am. I am eating the greasy foods hoping this will help, but it is not. Does anyone have any suggestions? E-mail me: ras9599@bellsouth.net
- April
January 24, 2013 3:52 p.m.
I still have alot of problems I did my surgery on Dec5.2013 I cnt eat hardly eat nunthin have gas bad and they got me on sum pills to take once a day what good for gas?
- lakesha
January 24, 2013 2:17 p.m.
I am having my gallbladder removed tomorrow and reading these posts has me in hysterics! I have had pain on and off for years but did not know it was my gallbladder till i got a stone stuck in the duct. I have eaten everything over the years and had NO problem. I am now told that my stones are small enough to get stuck and I must get this removed- 3 different doctors have told me this. This sounds like a really bad idea after reading all your terrible troubles. I am so sorry you are all going through this and I fear I may be joining you in a life time of dreading to eat. My hobby and passion- cooking and I travel all over the world for my job. NOW WHAT? I wish I had not come to this page. It was a mistake for me to do so.
- Maureen
January 24, 2013 4:29 a.m.
I had my gallbladder removed on 01/14/2013. I spent the 5 months before in pain almost daily until they figured out that it was my gallbladder working at only 7%.It is now 9 days later and I am still having issues with what foods I can and cannot eat. I am trying to eat plain, nonfat foods, breakfast is easy, either I eat fresh fruit with yogurt and flax seed ground up added to it or oatmeal with flaxseed ground and dried cranberries and walnuts. A plain bagel is ok also. Lunch I do a salad of lettuce tomato, cucumber, mushrooms and I make my own dressing of a small amount of olive oil and rice wine vinegar. I bought a jar of fat free mayo and it actually doesn't taste too bad. dinner is the hardest for me. I am eating lots of chicken and fish. I find that if I cook with coconut milk I do fine, like chicken curry. And I now also cook everything with coconut oil. It is all the rage these days anyway. It adds great flavor to everything also. Costco sells a big jar of it for $22. I would recommed using that. I am not taking any medication at this time, but I still have queasy stomach most nights if I any dairy or fatting foods at dinnertime. Daytime I seem to do ok. Hope this helps someone else going through this.
- Nancy
January 21, 2013 9:23 p.m.
01-15-13 is when my GB was removed.Next day I had ERCP also for stones in duct.I stayed in hospital till 1-17.I had great meds in there & sent home with them in pill form.YUP no poop.I ate lots of fruit to induce.No Luck! Frustrated & worried I thought back to the foods that made me poop instantly before the procedure, like Taco Bell, KFC, MGD beer, starbucks coffee.So my kid goes out gets me a Taco Bell meal A 40 oz MGD from corner store. Within 8 hours I was %#@&*% like a goose. Point I am making, forget about diet for a day recall what makes you poop and chow down. How am I feeling 1 week after? Sore & tight on my cuts in my tummy. Light headed when I go to store. That is after 5 days of being in bed at hospital and home.Laying off meds pooped again. So thats 2 poops in 7 days. I want to poop more but I am not eating much due to not much energy or activity. But best of all I have no chest or stomach pain from GB.My only problem is washing those hard to reach areas when wife isn't home.
- Fred
January 21, 2013 11:16 a.m.
Had my GB out Oct., 2012, have been naseau ever since, have a real problem eating have lost 35 LBs. and they say it is the complications from surgery, will it ever end, hate living like this
- kaye
January 20, 2013 10:22 p.m.
Jennifer, I wanted to be an encouragement. After one hard day after surgery with constipation , I started reading. For me, small amounts every 2-3 hrs is working great. I have been trying to drink 8 (8oz) of water and watching fat. Everything I'm reading seems to point to problems in this area. I was close to home so I tried a whopper jr & few fries , success. In time , I'll get brave a try a steak, but it will be small & I will eat it slowly for my body to accept it. My surgery was Monday and this is Sunday and I' m doing great !:)
- Cheryl
January 20, 2013 8:22 a.m.
my problem is constipation. have to take 5 stool softners every night and drink apple juice all day. will probably start metamucil soon if things don't get better. anyone else have the same problem?
- beckie
January 19, 2013 9:30 a.m.
My gallblader was removed on18 june.2012.now there is pain in placle of gallblader
- arti
January 19, 2013 8:10 a.m.
hello i just have the gull blatter removeal last week i cant seem to eat much of anything oat meal popcorn and water only so far im still looking for answers
- tina
January 18, 2013 9:54 a.m.
i'm sorry we are going through this...i wish there was something to make us all back to being our regular selves when we didn't have these dumb obstacales..........but after reading i am not the only one going through this....really helps........thanks for posting everybody! happy friday!
- cindy
January 18, 2013 9:32 a.m.
I had my gallbladder removed about 7 years ago, a few months after the birth of my son. Since the removal, I have had problems with the digestion of MANY different foods. I have come to learn I can't eat certain foods first thing in the morning. Usually that are high in fat or sugar will upset my stomach and send me to the bathroom quickly. But also, things like lettuce, coffee, cream cheese and other random foods bother me as well. Sometimes the time of day I consume them is what matters, while other days I am just confused. After all these years I wish I had a better understanding of what my diet should be. Anyone else have this problem or have any suggestions??
- Candice
January 17, 2013 6:52 p.m.
I have to have my gallbladde out in 2 weeks; I was told it is not working. The muscle that is suppose to contract the gallbladder is not working and can't be fixed. I am reading all your stories and I am getting very nervous about the surgery now. I have lost almost 20 lbs and weighing only 105 now. Did any of you have this muscle stop working? Any good news from having this surgery?
- Wendy
January 17, 2013 4:37 p.m.
I just had my gallbladder out yesterday..I never had issues..I developed a large stone that cause a blockage and acute inflammation. I have been able to eat but very small amounts seem to fill me up and within a couple hours I'm hungry again. My doctor put me on the diabetic diet which is easy for me since I have diabetes and I always watch what I eat..but I notice sweet tasting foods make me nauseous so I have to avoid sweets. I am going to try eating more venison as it is very lean and still gives you the feeling of eating burger. the venison bacon has so little fat but oh so tasty. I recommend finding a hunter and purchase some of his kill, it will be an excellent source or lean meat besides fish (yuck) and chicken which gets boring. good luck to all.
- Karen
January 17, 2013 5:09 a.m.
Hi Jennifer I had my gallbladder removed in 1985, at age 22. I havent had to adjust my diet, and still eat the same things before removal. I often wondered if there should have been a post removal diet. Maybe Im just one of the lucky ones, Im now 51 and feel fine. I hope that sharing my eperience has been of some help.
- Deborah
January 17, 2013 4:58 a.m.
I had my Gb removed October 2012 and my symptoms are horrible I have a upset stomach every day unless I have taken medicine before hand prescribed by my doctor she stated that if it persists then I will have to go see a specialist hope there is not more surgery on the cards :(
- bobby
January 16, 2013 4:13 p.m.
I had gallbladder surgery in Nov. of 2011 and have not been the same since. I continue to have pains, upset stomach, etc. no matter what I eat. Veggies and fruit cause the worst problems for me. It's horrible having to think twice before I put anything in my stomach.
- Marie
January 15, 2013 10:59 a.m.
I had my gallbladderaken out in November of 2012 and here recently i have found that eating greasy foods or fatty foods does not digest properly and causes me to throw it up at night. I also find that i can not eat dairy to good either, it makes me have diarrhea, hopefully after time it will get better.
- kevin
January 13, 2013 2:33 p.m.
I had emergency surgery Dec. 5 2012 to remove my gallbladder, and now I feel great. I haven't had the diarrhea that seems to occur after this surgery. I have found I don't have much of an appetite and need to eat small meals 3-4 times a day. I also don't seem to have any issues with dairy, I eat Greek Yogurt sometimes with flax seed and fresh fruit for breakfast. I also have been craving cheese. I do eat it, in small amounts. My main problem is the healing of the incision at the navel, due to clothing rubbing on it. Hoping a band-aid will to the trick.
- Mary Beth
January 13, 2013 12:42 p.m.
I had my gb out over 12 years ago. Went through chronic dhiarria until my wife mentioned it to a surgeon. He prescribed Prevalite. Once in the morning with apple juice and once at night with apple juice. No more problems. Very regular bowel movements and got my life back. Have to continue taking it but small price to pay for the relief.
- George
January 13, 2013 12:34 p.m.
oh my gosh.......i've had diarreah, seems.....like forever........i SO DO NOT like it one bit. had my gallbladder removed in 2011 ........ugh,,,,,,,,, . it is embarrassing, not to mention i can't have a job or social life. i get "IT" daily 5 to 7 times in the morning, ugh.......if only there was something for this. my doc just looks at me like i am exaggerating, doesn't help at all. i've had to quit 2 jobs already. and going to church on sunday am, sadly doesn't happen, because i have to keep getting up and running to the ladies room
- cindy
January 12, 2013 9:59 p.m.
i had lap surgery 3 days ago and i cant eat anything i get nauseated and eventually throw up its like im not even digesting food now. i feel horrible worse now than i did when i had my gall bladder
- Jena
January 12, 2013 7:40 p.m.
hi. i had my gallbladder removed two years ago. but i lost a lot of wait in the year i had the surgery i can't eat like i use to. i have to eat smaller meals but i still don't know how and what to eat. i also have a lot of pain on the right side for a while now i'm going to see the doctor that did the surgery and tell him that its been hurting me for a few months now. i don't know really what i can or cannot eat i am lactoce and intolorence cant have dairy products i also have acid reflex. so i really have to watch i eat but i don't know how to do it
- maria
January 12, 2013 3:06 p.m.
My doctor told me to take a teaspoon of Metamucil every day to regulate bowels movements and it works wonders. (titrate up to a tsp for a week or you will most likely experience more gas and discomfort until your body adjusts to the extra fiber).
- Shelly
January 12, 2013 5:12 a.m.
Hi- I had my gallbladder removed 3 years ago. I have problems with pain where my gallbladder used to be although not as severe. I have to be careful not to eat too much fat. I am still paying for too much rich food over Christmas! Acid reflux is and constant ache behind my ribs and an upset stomach will go away with two weeks of very healthy eating. However I have to say that my symptoms now are much prefered to what I experienced before the removal!
- Reen
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958 comments posted