If you don’t have a gallbladder, bile can flow freely into your small intestine. However, it can’t break down food as well there as it could in your gallbladder. Even though you can live without a gallbladder, you may need to change what you eat to make up for it.
Your gallbladder is a 4-inch-long, oval-shaped organ connected to your liver. It concentrates bile from your liver and releases it into your small intestine to help break down food.
If your gallbladder becomes infected or develops stones, it may need to be removed. This procedure is known as cholecystectomy.
It’s best to stay away from or limit foods that are high in fat, oil, greasy, and processed after surgery because they are harder for your body to break down.
You may not need to make these changes forever. Some of these foods may be easy to slowly add back into your diet in the months following the surgery.
Find out what you should eat, what to watch out for, and other things you can do to get better faster after having your gallbladder removed.
There’s no standard diet that people should follow after gallbladder removal surgery. In general, it’s best to avoid fatty, greasy, processed, and sugary foods.
A study from 2017 found that people who ate more eggs, animal protein, saturated fat, and fewer vegetables were more likely to have symptoms.
If you eat these things after having your gallbladder removed, you probably won’t get sick, but you might have a lot of painful gas, bloating, and diarrhea. This is partly because bile flowing freely into your intestine works like a laxative.
Meats that have been processed or are high in fat can make your digestive system very sick after having your gallbladder removed.
Dairy can also be hard for your body to digest as it adjusts without a gallbladder.
If giving up dairy isn’t possible for you, try picking fat-free yogurt and low-fat cheese, or ones that have non-dairy ingredients like almond milk.
Highly processed foods often contain a lot of additional fat and sugar. This makes them last longer, but they’re also hard to digest and don’t offer much nutrition.
You should stay away from some foods when you don’t have a gallbladder, but you can and should still eat a lot of other things.
Fiber can improve digestion in the absence of concentrated bile. Take it easy at first so you don’t overdo it right after surgery, which can also cause gas.
The foods below are good sources of fiber and many other nutrients, like calcium, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids:
Having your gallbladder removed can be a life-changing experience While you may recover quickly, your digestive system will likely need some time to adjust During this period, it’s important to choose the right foods to reduce discomfort and promote healing. But what about tuna? Is this type of fish okay to eat after gallbladder surgery?
How Gallbladder Removal Affects Digestion
The gallbladder’s main job is to store and concentrate bile produced by the liver. This bile is released into the small intestine to break down fats from the food you eat.
Without your gallbladder, bile flows more constantly but in lower concentrations. As a result, your body will have a harder time breaking down and absorbing fats and certain other nutrients from food.
This is why a low-fat diet is typically recommended after gallbladder removal surgery, at least temporarily. Fatty and fried foods are hardest to digest and can lead to unpleasant symptoms like pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Is Tuna Okay to Eat?
So where does tuna fall on the fat spectrum? Fortunately, most tuna is a lean source of protein and contains little fat.
For example, a 3-ounce portion of light tuna canned in water has less than 1 gram of fat. Solid white tuna canned in water has around 1.3 grams of fat per serving Even oil-packed tuna usually provides under 5 grams of fat per serving
Therefore, tuna can be a healthy part of your post-surgery diet. It provides protein, vitamins and minerals without excessive fat.
However, everyone’s tolerance will be different, especially in the first few weeks after surgery. It’s best to start with small amounts of tuna and see how your body responds. Pay attention to any digestive discomfort after eating.
Tips for Eating Tuna After Gallbladder Removal
Here are some tips to make tuna easier to digest after gallbladder surgery:
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Choose tuna canned in water rather than oil. Drain and rinse the tuna before eating to remove any extra fat or sodium from the canning process.
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Skip tuna salads or creamy tuna casseroles, as these add fat and can be harder to process.
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Eat tuna plain or with fat-free seasoning and condiments like mustard, vinegar, lemon juice or salsa.
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Try making tuna patties with oatmeal instead of breadcrumbs to increase fiber.
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Sauté fresh tuna in broth or water instead of oil.
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Spread tuna on whole-grain crackers instead of bread.
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Mix tuna with chopped celery, onions, peppers or other non-starchy veggies.
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Combine tuna with avocado, a healthy fat that may be easier to tolerate.
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Limit portion sizes to 2-3 ounces of tuna at a time.
Other Post-Surgery Diet Tips
While tuna is likely safe to eat in moderation, keep these other diet guidelines in mind after gallbladder removal:
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Gradually reintroduce foods over several weeks.
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Eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than large portions.
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Choose lean proteins like chicken, turkey, eggs whites and fish.
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Incorporate nutrient-dense vegetables and fruits.
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Select healthy fats like olive oil and avocados.
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Increase fiber with whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
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Stay hydrated and drink broths or soups to ease digestion.
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Take a digestive enzyme or ox bile supplement with meals if needed.
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Avoid greasy, fried and heavily processed foods.
With time, most people are able to expand their diets and tolerate a wider range of foods. But eating tuna and other lean proteins can help provide key nutrients while keeping fat intake low after gallbladder removal.
Overall, tuna can be a healthy part of your post-surgery diet. Stick to water-packed tuna in small servings and balance it out with veggies, fruits and whole grains for best results. Pay attention to your body’s signals and adjust your portions or preparation methods if tuna seems hard to digest. With some care and planning, it’s certainly possible to enjoy tuna again after gallbladder removal!
Nutrient-dense, vitamin-dense fruits and veggies
Since you need more fiber while you’re healing from surgery, try to eat as many fruits and vegetables that are high in nutrients as you can.
These foods are good sources of vitamin A, fiber, vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, and many phytonutrients that help your body heal:
- legumes, such as peas, lentils, or beans
- cauliflower
- cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- broccoli
- spinach
- kale
- tomatoes
- citrus, such as oranges and limes
- avocados
- blueberries
- blackberries
- raspberries
Lean meats or meat alternatives
If you’re used to eating a lot of meat, a gallbladder removal diet can seem intimidating. But you don’t have to cut out all meat. Just opt for leaner meats or plant proteins, such as:
- chicken breast
- turkey
- salmon
- trout
- herring
- white fish like cod and halibut
- legumes
- tofu
Life after Gallbladder SURGERY: 5 Things your doctor DIDN’T tell you
FAQ
What fish can I eat after gallbladder surgery?
Is canned tuna good for gallbladder?
Can I eat mayonnaise after gallbladder surgery?
Can I eat fish and chips after gallbladder removal?
Can you eat fatty foods after a gallbladder removal?
After surgery, your liver will still make enough bile, but you might have difficulty processing fatty foods – at least for a while. More than half of patients who have their gallbladder removed have trouble digesting fat. Laura Jeffers, MEd, RD, LD, shares five tips to avoid discomfort after gallbladder removal: 1.
How long after gallbladder surgery can you eat a normal diet?
As you start feeling better, you can slowly introduce solid foods back into your diet. But you may need to avoid certain foods for a while if you experience bloating, diarrhea, and gas during this time. Most people can return to a normal diet within a month of having gallbladder surgery. (2)
Can a gallbladder removal diet help with diarrhea?
Although there isn’t a set gallbladder removal diet, the following tips may help reduce problems with diarrhea after you’ve had your gallbladder out: Go easy on the fat. Don’t eat high-fat foods, fried and greasy foods, and fatty sauces and gravies for at least a week after surgery. Instead, choose fat-free or low-fat foods.
What should I eat after gallbladder surgery?
However, they generally advise that, following surgery, people avoid fatty foods and those that irritate the gut. Switching to low fat products and lean proteins while slowly introducing high fiber foods can help. Q: I’ve had my gallbladder removed.