{"id":629715,"date":"2024-09-16T09:30:37","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T13:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629715"},"modified":"2025-12-28T10:34:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T15:34:12","slug":"diet-after-gallbladder-removal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/diet-after-gallbladder-removal\/","title":{"rendered":"What to eat after you have your gallbladder out"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have <\/span>persistent gallstones<\/span><\/a> or gallbladder attacks, you could be a candidate for gallbladder removal surgery (aka cholecystectomy). This is one of the most common procedures in the United States, with more than <\/span>1.2 million people<\/span> undergoing gallbladder surgery each year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most surgeries come with a list of post-op do\u2019s and don\u2019ts. Still, it\u2019s especially important to follow the recommended dietary guidelines after gallbladder surgery because of the gallbladder\u2019s role in the digestive system. Immediately after surgery, clear liquids are recommended. You can then graduate to small meals consisting of low-fat, nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, and lean proteins.<\/span><\/p>\n

4 foods to avoid after gallbladder removal<\/span><\/h2>\n

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgery. Prepare to follow a liquid diet immediately after surgery and transition to a low-fat, balanced diet long-term, says <\/span>Dana Sloane, MD<\/span>, a gastroenterologist who practices at MedStar Health in Baltimore, Maryland.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Solid foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cThe initial diet after gallbladder surgery is usually clear liquids, such as broth,\u201d Dr. Sloane<\/a> says. Typically, patients follow a clear liquid diet followed by a full liquid diet and soft foods diet before transitioning to a regular diet, <\/span>research shows<\/span><\/a>. This is recommended to reduce side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can occur following surgery.<\/span><\/p>\n

While you should avoid solid foods immediately upon waking up from surgery, this period doesn\u2019t last long. \u201cA clear liquid diet is typically quickly advanced to a low-fat diet,\u201d Dr. Sloane says. Soft, solid foods are gradually introduced after the first 24 hours or several days.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. High-fat foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most important foods to avoid when recovering from gallbladder surgery are those high in dietary fats (aka lipids). This is because of the gallbladder\u2019s role in the digestive system and how its removal affects fat digestion.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe gallbladder\u2019s primary role is to store bile, the digestive fluid produced by the liver, which is released into the small intestine,\u201d Dr. Sloane explains. \u201cBile acids help the body digest fats, so the primary change after gallbladder surgery is the reduced ability to digest dietary lipids.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The main fats to avoid include saturated and trans fats. \u201cThese fats are more difficult to break down than unsaturated fats (aka healthy fats),\u201d explains <\/span>Jenna Volpe, RDN<\/span><\/a>, a registered dietitian in Austin, Texas. \u201cHowever, all high-fat foods should be avoided or minimized initially.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of fatty foods include:<\/span><\/p>\n