For anybody who has undergone surgery, recovering from it can be physically and mentally tasking. Although illness may have been treated with surgery, proper rest, medications and following a good diet and regime play a greater role in helping the body recover from it.
This article will take you through what a gallbladder is, what happens after a gall bladder surgery and what kind of diet has to be followed after surgery.
The gallbladder is a small sac-like structure present between two lobes of the liver. The primary function of the gallbladder is the storage of bile which is produced by the liver, metabolism, and absorption of fat. Within the gallbladder, the stored bile undergoes changes in pH, water and electrolyte content. It is important for cholesterol and lecithin to remain in solution to prevent the formation of gallstones.
When food passes into the intestine from the stomach, gallbladder contracts, and releases bile into the intestine through the cystic duct (a tube-like structure which carries bile out of the gallbladder).
In one or any of the above conditions, the treatment of choice is surgical removal of the gallbladder since it does not have much significance in the body.
[Read – Tests For Gallbladder Stones]
Once the gallbladder has been removed, the surgeon or doctor may advise complete rest for at least 2-3 days after surgery. Patients may be advised to resuming light work, lifting heavy objects is to be avoided for at least a month after surgery.
After surgery for gallbladder, some patients may still complain of upper right sided abdominal pain, cramping, dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting, and fever. These signs and symptoms are included under the term Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome.
It is also common for patients to experience diarrhea for at least a month after gallbladder removal surgery. This is because bile has a laxative effect when it is released directly into the intestine instead of passing through the gallbladder.
Severe signs and symptoms are an indication of complications following gall bladder surgery which must be evaluated and treated appropriately. Milder signs and symptoms, however, can be managed with proper counseling, rest and medications, along with dietary alterations which include
As soon as the patient is discharged to home from hospital, he/she should consume soft foods as they are easier to chew and digest such as bananas, rice, soups, broths, eggs or steamed meat. It is advisable to avoid introducing solid food in diet immediately after surgery.
As it is obvious from the description above, gallbladder has a certain amount of role to play in fat absorption and metabolism. Dietary fats consumed in large amounts may remain undigested and cause bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Completely avoiding fats in the diet is quite impossible and also not a healthy thing to do. There are some healthy fats options which can be included in the diet in small quantities. This includes food rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as coconut oil, olive oil, nuts like walnuts and almonds and seeds like chia seeds and flax seeds.
Include fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads and fibrous foods like barley and oats in the diet. Fiber normalizes intestinal motility. Consuming a large amount of fibrous food suddenly can cause bloating and so it is important to introduce fiber in diet gradually.
Since the gallbladder does not have any role in the digestion of proteins, these can be included in the diet. Non-vegetarians should make sure that the meat consumed is fat-free. Vegetarian sources include cottage cheese, green leafy vegetables, pulses, legumes, and lentils.
A well-balanced diet should include equal proportions of proteins including lean and fat-free meat and eggs without the yolk, fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains including legumes and pulses.
Instead of consuming three large meals, distribute your food into 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day. This eases the process of digestion and metabolism and also controls blood sugars up to a great extent.
It is a good option to take up some low-intensity exercise which can be gradually increased. Exercising regularly keeps up the body’s metabolism and helps in burning excess calories.
There are also certain foods which patients should avoid or completely eliminate from diet after a gallbladder surgery such as
The above mentioned dietary advises not meant only to recover well from gallbladder surgery, they also help in maintaining general health, less trouble to your digestive system and a slimmer waistline by avoiding certain foods and consuming a balanced diet to further prevent long-term health-related complaints.
Dr. Himanshi is a Homoeopathic consultant and currently working as a lecturer in Post-graduate faculty of Homeopathy, Parul University, Vadodara. Completed BHMS and MD in Homeopathy in January 2018 and also has a clinical experience of about 6 years. Personal interests include reading, spending time with family and traveling.
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