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. Food is served. 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
42 persons responded to this post
So, if you don’t follow the diet, did they say how long you can enjoy life? Mine was removed in 1994 and my surgeon never warned me about this diet. I live in US of A, and I’m pretty sure dr are more advance here than over there. At syempre, opinyon ko ito according to the study that Pilipino doctors can not practice medicine here until they take accredited courses and further their studies in accordance of US standard.
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Thanks for dropping by.
Actually there was no strict rules of diet that my doctors gave to me. My surgeon only said that I should eat low-fat and avoid oily foods for about 2 to 3 months. He also said that I should divide my meal to 2. Example, I should eat twice for breakfast with half of the full meal each.
And the list was given to me by my internist.
But did I follow it? Only on some days.
But after the operation, I ate less for about 2 months and I lost weight. And additional month of eating less after I got admitted again last December. Only this January that I started eating full regular meal and test eating some foods that falls on to be avoided list.
I am test eating on foods because I was supposed to undergo ERCP during my December hospitalization. But due to financial problems, I opted to reschedule it – and supposedly last January.
Moreover, I view the list as a friendly reminder of eating in moderation.
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Hi Ken,
So what’s their finding on your epigastric and back pains?
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My gallbladder was removed when i was 2nd year high school. Nasakin pa ung isa sa mga stones na nakuha. Hindi ko maalala kung ano ung nasabi sakin nung doctor after operation. May narinig ako na maeenjoy ko na daw ung mga taba. Ok lang ba na kumain ulit ng mga fatty foods? Sobrang sakit ng symptom nito upper abdominal pain. Madalas umattack ung pain ng madaling araw mga around 12am onwards.
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Gino,
Ilang years na ba ang lumipas? Kung medyo matagal na, sa tingin ko okey lang na kumain nang fatty foods.
Actually, the doctors advised me to avoid fatty foods.
But I tested eating those foods and there were times that my system would react to the food right away. Like after a few minutes I experienced some stomach pains.
So, eat in small amount then observe how your system reacts to the food.
For me, I can eat lechon, chicharon, and even chicharon bulaklak without having problems.
Only eat in moderation, do not over eat. Coz we no longer have gallbladder that acts as reservoir of bile.
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how long that I still enjoy life now that I have no longer gall blader??
I am eating foods to avoid now it is about 2 months that a had my operation but the reaction my stomach is still ok..
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@Ken
8 years ago na nung na remove ung gall bladder ko. Yeah nung medyo fresh pa ko from operation umiiwas ako sa mga fatty food. Pero now kumakain na ko. Pumapapak din ng taba paminsan minsan. Nakakamiss din ung sarap nung taba sa mga balat ng lechon hehe. Pinakaiiwasan ko ung uminom ng alak. Although hindi naman ako madalas uminom before ma infect ung gall bladder ko. Ung softdrinks nga pla nakaka cause ba ng gall stones un? By the way open ung operation ko. Laki nung scar na hiniwa sa chan ko. Pano ung operation sau?
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@Gino,
Tama ka, nakaka-miss yung mga masasarap at ipinagbabawal na pagkain tulad nga mga taba at mga laman-loob.
Not sure if softdrinks can cause gallstones. Ang alam ko nakaka-cause ng kidney stones.
Lap chole (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) operation sa akin. 3 small incisions lang.
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Any idea why tomatoes is on the banned list? I would have thought it would be quite soft on the stomach.
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Hi Ken, thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences, the truth of life without a gallbladder I should say. Same as you are, I had mine removed last May 7, 2009 (ERCP + Open Chole). I agree with you, hinay-hinay lang.
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It’s good thing that I stumbled this post. Nice info on life after gallbladder surgery.
Thanks for sharing. Keep posting.
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Dear ken
i look at you now,nice to meet me you,you are batter business. i hope that you will batter successsully in the future.i will go to there.
best wish
Harry
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Thanks, Harry for dropping by…
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Hi my name is Maria just got my gallbladder removed last Monday.I’m doing pretty good I been eating soup chicken,turkey or fish with veggies lots of water and been drinking Apple juice as well I just haven’t had a BM I don’t know why maybe because of what I’m eating or what ,I feel like I wana go but when I go the bathroom I can’t go.but now I’m starting to eat some noodles,beans ,eggs I don’t know if thats good for me,I feel ok when I’m done eating hopefully I can get better soon my pain is not as bad so I’m goin like 10 hrs without my pain killers I’m doing good so far.my question is so I can never fat food again?? Cuz like pizza, chicken,ribs,Chicken wing and burgers… My mom got her gallbladder removed 17 yrs ago and she eats whatever she wants and no problem what so ever.my aunt and cousin got theirs done last year and they’re fine they eat whatever even fat greasy good they said they are good hopefully I can be like that..just having lots of faith in god..:)
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I just had mine out too, on the 5th. I’ve heard most people do go back to basically being able to eat whatever they want, not 100% of people are so lucky though so we’ll see what happens. I’m feeling good about it right now though XD I’m certainly a lot better off now than I was before surgery.
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Nice info!
Bookmarked your site.
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Does anyone try the gallstones removal using the natural way (combination of apple juice, epsom salt, and olive oil) before the operation? What happen? Thanks!
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I haven’t. Though I tried. But every time I drank the apple juice, I felt bloated then few minutes later I felt the pain in my upper abdomen and the pain in my back.
Maybe this will work for those small and floating gallbladder stones. But for those big, embedded stones, and those that sticks on wall of the gallbladder, I doubt if this will work.
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excellent publish, very informative. Im wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not realize this. You must proceed your writing. I am sure, you have a huge readers base already!
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Great Informative blog inspiration for people without gallbladder, i had mine removed just 3weeks ago, a gallstone dropped inside my bile duct.
My mother had hers removed when she was in her 50s.
i still got a t-tube attached on my belly until this week and a cholangiogram test coming. Im having oatmeal,wheatbread for breakfast most of the time, for lunch few spoons of rice with non-grease marinated with soy sauce breastfillet chicken, sometimes vegetables,boiled egg or adobo fish
one time on my 2nd week had pork omelette once and my BM is ok.
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thank’s to this website, dami ko nalaman lahat ng tan0ng ko nasag0t… my gallbladder was rem0ve 6m0nth ag0 here in bahrain, iniyakan ko yun di kase ako makapaniwala…e’ until n0w minsan npapaisip aq tungkol s gallbladder ko tapos iiyak uli aq.. hay…
natatakot talaga aq.
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Tnx 4 ds article..
At least my worries were a bit allevaited upon reading this..
I’m gonna have my gallbladder removed 2mrw..
The thought of it is killing me since its my 1st tym 2b hospitalized..
Plus d fact that I only eat pork & chicken nd I’m afraid d dctor might forbid me to eat it..
Guess I’ll jz settle with oatmeals fir ’bout 2 months..
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Thanks for the article, it was interesting and compelling. I found my way here through Google, I will come back another time
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I, I love your web site
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Hi, I was so scared when I was diagnosed of gallstones early this month. My pain started last January. I am waiting for my schedule for surgery this month. This blog is helping me remove my fear and anxiety. Thank you for the information.
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Hi, Laine…
Thanks for dropping by.
Hoping for your safe and successful operation.
God bless,
–Ken
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Hi! I’ve read about your article and I’m interested to know where i can contact Dr. Don Edward Rosello? Is he a really good surgeon? Is he also expensive? I’m planning to go to Cebu to have my gallstones removed as advised by my family doctor before I can have another baby. Dr. Rosello was recommended to me by my daughter’s pedia..im just wondering, since you have already undergone operation under Dr. Rosello’s hands. I haven’t met in person yet, that’s why Im asking where’s his clinic?
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Hi, Kre…
Thanks for dropping by.
I’m not sure if this is still correct. His clinic is at PH6, Borromeo Building at the back of Cebu Doctors Hospital. I’m also not sure if this number 238.2356 is still active. You can call Cebu Doctors Hospital @ 255-5555 and inquire the current contact number of Dr. Don Edward Rosello and the current location of his clinic.
Based on my experience, I would recommend him. He will assess your case in such a way that if there is still a possibility not to go under knife, then he will not go directly with the operation. Even my case he did schedule an operation directly, he is not into removing the gallbladder right away. But with the laboratory results and the frequency of epigastric and back pains, we opted for lap chole surgery.
PF-wise, if you are covered with insurance, the fee is set at what the insurance can cover a surgeon’s fee. If are covered with both PhilHealth and insurance, I think you only need to pay the entrance kit by the hospital. For that, we only paid around PhP400 at Cebu Doctor’s Hospital that time, nothing else. Otherwise, you can talk with him that you don’t have an insurance and he will set the fee at lower rate.
God bless…
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hi ken!
I was so happy to see your website. Keep up the good work!
Last May 2011 was my gallblader operation and like yours.. its a lap chole. Mejo natatakot kasi ko ngayon dahil madalas sumakit ang lower right part of my breast and I have always a backpain, me connection ba yun? halos lahat din ng bawal na foods kikakain ko pero in a moderate only.
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Hi, Riza…
I only had experienced an excruciating pain in my upper right abdomen once after my operation. And the pain radiated to my back. I even got admitted to Cebu Doctor’s Hospital. My surgeon’s diagnoses was that maybe there’s a dislodged small gallstone during the operation. He advised me to undergo ERCP but we did not pursue the procedure because of 2 reasons; 1. financial constraints, 2. it occurred only once and my internist said that it might be a dislodged small gallstone but maybe it’s already dislodged down to my intestine. So far, by God’s grace it never did occur again.
I sometimes felt discomfort on the incision areas when the weather is too cold.
Have you consulted your doctor yet? If the pain is frequent and severe, it is better to go to your doctor.
God bless,
–Ken
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Hi! actually eggs should be avoided since it is high in cholesterol. 4days after my operation i ate mamon and just 4hrs after eating i was rushed to the hospital for GB attack. plus i think for us people with no GB, it is still recommended to avoid fatty/ high in cholesterol foods even if the operation was years and years ago. one of the people i know had her GB removed last 1998 and enjoyed life after recovery, meaning going back to the diet she had before (fatty food and high in cholesterol foods) but since she has no GB, the cholesterol formed as stone in her bile duct that had her liver infected, she then turned yellow and had an emergency operation lat year.
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hi ken!! i feel happy now that u have a web site like this to support people that had removed their GB, im one of them feeling down here and nobody take care of me since im out of the country… my dr. here in hk never explaine to me that they need to take out the whole thing…. supper a lot of pain before the operation last march 12 from my upper right abdomen thru my spinal cord for 10hrs as in severve..i just want to go away the pain thats why i say yes to the doctors.. now i need to avoid fatty foods beacuse i will run to the loo after 10mis of consuming it…. now i watch my diet …its help me a lot now that i know im not the only one to have this exprience…=))
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