5 Best Ways For Managing Weight Loss After Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)

One of the ways to overcome severe gallstones is by cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal. This surgical procedure is safe and effective to remove gallstones, but still requires special attention, especially post-surgery dietary habits. If patients don’t pay attention to what they consume and their lifestyle after surgery, they will continue to lose weight. Here are some tips of managing weight loss after gallbladder removal or cholecystectomy.

5 Tips for Managing Weight Loss After Gallbladder Removal

1. Create a Meal Plan

Creating a meal plan or menu that you will eat is a way to maintain your weight after gallbladder removal. At least you won’t lose much weight by doing this. Meal plans can also help you to choose the more varied food. It is also helpful for identifying and calculating the number of calories you consume.

Those who have had cholecystectomy should not consume more than 30% of their daily intake. Having a meal plan can help you with this. Besides creating your meal menu, you should also take note of your mealtime. People who had undergone gallbladder surgery should eat meals in a smaller portion than their normal portion, but more often. And taking notes of mealtimes will help to tell when you should eat.

2. Do not Skip Meals

If you have had gallbladder removal, you must not ever skip meals. Skipping meals will only lose you even much more weight. You are suggested to eat in a smaller portion, 5 times to 6 times a day. You can also consume healthy snacks in between meals, such as fresh fruits. Also, make sure that all your meals are nutritious.

3. Stay Active

You should not immediately do heavy activities after gallbladder removal. But once you regain your strength and stamina, make sure you stay active by doing light workout. For example, swimming, cycling, walking, and so on. This way, you will not lose your muscle mass. Losing muscle mass is one of the causes of weight loss. So, make sure you work out on a regular basis at least for 30 minutes.

4. Do Not Stay Up Late

The amount of sleep you get can significantly affect your weight. Lack of sleep causes a higher level of the ghrelin hormone. Also, lack of sleep makes you lose your motivation to exercise because you are too tired, especially in the morning. Apply sleep hygiene to help you have a good sleeping habit every day. Make sure you get enough sleep, at least 7 hours to 9 hours a day to control your weight after gallbladder removal, and to maintain your overall health.

5. Manage Your Stress Well

Being stressed too much can lead to either being underweight or overweight. Some people lose their appetite when they are stressed, while some others tend to eat more when they are stressed. It is because stress can increase the level of cortisol, which is a hormone related to low belly fat.

It is quite normal to lose weight after gallbladder removal because the body is still getting used to the post-surgery condition. But if you lose a significant amount of weight after the surgery, you better see your doctor immediately.