Gallbladder removal surgery is not an uncommon surgery. Many people get gallbladder removed for various problems such as infections, gallstones, inflammation, etc. Getting a gallbladder removed is completely safe and one can lead a long and healthy life without it.
While one can live without a gallbladder, certain changes in the lifestyle need to be made for a healthy problem-free living.
Contents: What Is A Gallbladder? Lifestyle Changes after Gallbladder Removal What to Eat after Gallbladder Surgery? Can Gallbladder Surgery Shorten Life Expectancy? Returning to Normal Life after Gallbladder Surgery |
What Is A Gallbladder?
The gallbladder is a small pouch-like organ located under the liver. Bile formed by the liver is stored in the gallbladder. The gallbladder becomes hollow and flat after meals, whereas it is filled with bile before the meals.
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Lifestyle Changes after Gallbladder Removal
The process of gallbladder removal is called a cholecystectomy. As there is no organ to store bile in the body after the gallbladder surgery, the liver releases bile straight into the small intestine. This makes digestion of fatty, greasy and high-fibre foods harder for the system to do. Therefore, some changes need to be inculcated in the lifestyle for some time for a healthy body.
- Avoid fatty foods
Try to escape from fatty foods in your diet for some time after the surgery. Just 30% of your entire diet should be made up of fats. Where possible, read food labels and avoid processed foods. Foods such as sausage, beef, fried foods, chips, full-fat milk, yoghurt, and poultry should be consumed in moderation.
- Abstain from taking large meals
Since your digestive system now functions somewhat differently, consuming too much food in one sitting can put excessive pressure on your liver, making it unable to produce the amount of bile needed to assist digestion.
Therefore, you should avoid consuming large meals as you did before gallbladder surgery. After the surgery, you should consume frequent short meals to reduce the pressure on the liver, making your digestion efficient.
- Avoid food high in fibre
Eating high-fibre foods soon after your gallbladder has been removed can cause problems such as bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, etc. Limit your consumption of high-fibre foods such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, beans, nuts, cereals, and bread, and gradually reintroduce them into your diet so that your body can adjust to it.
- Limit your consumption of caffeine
Caffeine stimulates the development of stomach acid, causing the contents of your stomach to empty more quickly. You can feel more gas, bloating, and pain when the food is digested without the usual amount of bile formed by your gall bladder in your stomach.
Therefore, you should reintroduce food and beverages with caffeine such as coffee and tea into your diet gradually to understand your caffeine limit.
What to Eat After Gallbladder Surgery?
While there are foods that should be avoided after gallbladder surgery, there are also foods that can keep your body healthy. Nutrition rich foods such as green vegetables, tomatoes, blueberries, avocados, oranges, and other vitamin loaded foods should be consumed. Along with this, staying hydrated is extremely important to boost digestion.
Can Gallbladder Surgery Shorten Life Expectancy?
The removal of the gall bladder does not affect life expectancy. On the contrary, your post-surgery habits may make you healthier as a result of your diet. Such foods and a changed lifestyle can help you lose weight and lower the risk of developing diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.
Returning to Normal Life after Gallbladder Surgery
After laparoscopic surgery, most patients can return home the same day as their operation. However, you should not resume your regular activities right away. Enable your body to rest for one or two days. Eating a simple-to-digest diet for a few days after the surgery can help your stomach.
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