Life After Gallbladder Removal: Essential Steps to Protect Your Digestion

Has your gallbladder been removed? Surgery to remove the gallbladder is one of the most common surgeries (Jockers, n.d.). The gallbladder is a small organ located below the liver. Its main role is to support fat digestion, but it also helps balance cholesterol, regulate hormones, and eliminate toxins (Berg, 2025). If you have had your gallbladder removed, there are some steps you can take to support your digestive health and avoid long term effects.

Since the gallbladder’s primary function is to help digest fat, it also plays an essential role in the absorption of fat soluble nutrients. People without gallbladders are more likely to have a fatty liver and experience indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Taking steps to support digestion can also prevent nutrient deficiencies that can lead to dry hair and skin, weak nails, joint pain, low mood, anxiety, depression, and poor cognitive function (Cabot, n.d.).

Our diet plays a large role in our digestive health. The most harmful foods to the gallbladder include deep fried and highly processed fatty foods, like seed oils, hot dogs, sandwich meats, and all fried foods (Berg, 2025).  As a part of a balanced whole food diet, be sure to incorporate healthy fats, bitter foods, sour foods, lean protein, and high fiber veggies to support digestion (Cabot, n.d., Berg, 2025).

Specific foods that support bile production include:

• apple cider vinegar

• artichokes

• lemons

• limes

• parsley

• cucumbers

• celery

• mint

• cilantro

• radishes

• dandelion greens

• turmeric

• ginger

• sauerkraut

• green tea (Jockers, n.d.).

  
  

Lifestyle factors can contribute to gallbladder issues, but changing your lifestyle can prevent issues and support your body if you have no gallbladder. Hydration, exercise, and eating habits play the largest role in gallbladder health. Proper hydration supports bile production, which is especially important when the gallbladder is not present to store bile. Ideally, focus on drinking at least half your weight in ounces of water. For example, someone who weighs 180lbs should drink 90oz of water daily. Exercise supports bile flow and overall liver health, which is essential when your gallbladder has been removed. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day to receive the most benefits. When your gallbladder has been removed, you no longer have bile in storage. Eating several small meals and avoiding overeating avoids placing unnecessary stress on the liver. Using castor oil packs on the abdominal area can help stimulate bile flow and detoxify bile ducts. 

Certain supplements can be useful if additional support is needed. Liver tonics, ox bile, digestive enzymes, and tudca can all be used if desired. One of the best liver tonics is milk thistle, which is an herb that protects the liver and has antioxidant properties. Ox bile is a great supplement if you experience digestive issues as a result of having your gallbladder removed. Ox bile can be taken with every meal or only with larger or high fat meals. Digestive enzymes offer additional support and are especially helpful for people who continue to have digestive symptoms after trying an ox bile supplement. Enzymes can be taken with every meal or only those that tend to cause the most symptoms. Tudca is great for people who experience issues digesting and absorbing fats. Tudca is a compound naturally found in bile that plays a key role in fat digestion and mitochondrial function. Make sure you speak to your doctor or a licensed practitioner before adding any supplements to your regimen, as they may interact with your medications.

For an in-depth evaluation of your digestive health, consider scheduling an appointment with Renewed Hope Nutrition to receive functional test interpretations, personalized wellness plans, individualized supplement recommendations, and in-depth explanations on holistic health topics.

References

Berg, E. (2025, April 9). What you should know if you don't have a gallbladder. Dr. Berg. https://www.drberg.com/blog/what-you-must-know-if-you-dont-have-a-gallbladder 

Cabot, S. (n.d.). Things you must know if you don't have a gallbladder. Liver Doctor. https://liverdoctor.com/things-you-must-know-you-dont-have-gallbladder/ 

Jockers, D. (n.d.). No gallbladder: Strategies to improve digestive health after surgery. DrJockers.com. https://drjockers.com/no-gallbladder-strategies/