Q. Should I be following a special diet now that I have had my gall bladder out?

A.  In most cases, no special diet is needed. Your gall bladder is usually removed if it contains gall stones that can block the bile tube leading from the gall bladder to the small intestine.

Before you had your gall bladder removed, your doctor would have more than likely advised you to avoid fatty, oily or fried foods.

These greasy foods ‘activate’ the gall bladder to release the bile and would have made your symptoms worse.

You may also have eliminated anything that caused you pain or indigestion.  It’s really a case of trial and error.

Once removed, however, bile that was formerly stored in the gall bladder will now flow directly from the liver (where it is made) to the small intestine. The bile breaks down any fats that you eat which helps you to digest them.

This means you can return to your usual diet. This could take place in recovery after your operation when you transition back from fluids to a light diet to a regular menu. Restricting fat is no longer necessary, however it is healthier to eat plenty of fibre from vegetables and legumes.

For more information on diet and gallstones, click here to view the Better Health Channel website section on gallstones.