Foods For a Person With No Gallbladder

My internist, Dra. Joan Singidas, gave me this list before I underwent a gallbladder removal through lap chole (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) surgery.

The list of foods to avoid and foods to include

She told me to just avoid the foods in the foods to avoid column and observe within one week if would experience again another gallstone attack. That was Sept. 15, 2009. But 3 days later, my wife’s friend arrived from Manila and invited us for lunch. Although I only ate seafoods; fish and shellfish that belong to foods to include, I was not spared with gallstone attack. I then realized that there is also one food under foods to avoid that gives flavor to one of my favorite, baked scallops – the butter. And maybe cheese and oil.

And 3 days after, I ended in the clinic of Dr. Don Edward Rosello (General & Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery, Surgical Endoscopy, Bariatric Surgery), to ask for his opinion. To which, I was scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure last Oct. 1, 2009.

Three months later, on Dec. 22, 2009, Dr. Singidas handed again the same food list after I was hospitalized last Dec. 12 to 15, 2009 for epigastric and back pains. And with a frown and pity on her face because I can’t enjoy the holidays – Christmas and New Year.

Here is the list of 2 food groups, the foods to avoid and the foods to include. Although this list is specifically addressed to “patients with acid-related diseases”, but because I no longer have gallbladder and the secretion of bile is continuous with no reservoir, Dr. Singidas strongly advises me to follow the list.

Foods to avoid:

– Strongly flavored spices and condiments

– Caffeine containing beverages – coffee (regular or decaf), tea, cocoa, colas

– Tomatoes

– Citric juices – orange, calamansi, grapefruit

– Fatty foods – fried meats, deli meats, potato chips, french fries, fatty or fried pastries like doughnut

– Alcoholic drinks

– Dairy products – whole milk, butter, cheese

– High fat salad dressings – sour cream, cream cheese

– Gas-forming vegetables – broccoli, brussels, sprouts, cabbage, garlic, onion, cauliflower, cucumber, green pepper, turnips

Foods to include:

– Caffeine-free tonics

– All lean, tender meats

– Skinless poultry

– Fish, shellfish

– Eggs

– Soy beans (including tufu)

– Low-fat and skim milk and products

– Whole grain crackers, graham crackers

– White or brown rice

– Noodles/spaghetti

– All vegetables except tomatoes