Undergoing a gall bladder removal can be a traumatic experience. Often, gall bladder removal is performed under emergency circumstances and there hasn’t been time to think of the consequences and how to handle the aftermath. The adjustment can be difficult to make and maintain, but the body is different after a gall bladder removal, necessitating a change in diet, exercise and other lifestyle elements (which may have contributed to gall bladder disease in the first place).
Diet
Every person has a different experience with life after gall bladder removal. Some foods are better tolerated than others, while some are not tolerated at all. Although there is no conclusive evidence regarding diet after a gall bladder removal, it is generally recommended to follow a diet low in saturated fat, dairy and spices, especially immediately following surgery.
It is important to monitor food intake and add new foods gradually, to see how the body now reacts to the addition. Some patients suffer from bile salts diarrhea, thought to be caused by the direct deposit of bile into the stomach or small intestine and the body’s adjustment. It may take some time and experimentation to arrive at a diet which encompasses favorite foods without causing digestive issues.
Lifestyle Changes
It is also recommended to eat small portions several times a day as opposed to three large meals. This relieves the stomach from having to process too much at one time. Adding fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grain products, also seems to help the digestive process. Drink plenty of water, and chew slowly and thoroughly to start the digestive process in the mouth and take the burden off the stomach and small intestine. Some people have reported relief from digestive symptoms after a gall bladder removal by eating a daily serving of yogurt with live cultures.
Alternative Choices after Gall Bladder Removal
Any holistic remedies should be discussed with a health care provider, but some herbs that can help in digestion after gall bladder removal include peppermint or fresh ginger tea, aloe vera, parsley or fennel seeds. It may take some time to find a solution that helps, since every person will react differently to life after gall bladder removal. Additionally, regular exercise can play a large role in regulating the digestive system and helping a patient recover from a gall bladder removal.
Making small changes and carefully monitoring how the body reacts to food seems to be the key in resuming a normal lifestyle after gall bladder removal. By paying close attention to diet and implementing small changes, life can return to normal in no time after gall bladder removal.
