Living life without a gallbladder? Check out the 3 supplements I took for healthy digestion after gallbladder removal surgery.
It has been three years since I had my gallbladder removed. That tiny little organ had been wreaking absolute havoc in my body for at least six years before it finally had to be removed.
I fought to keep my gallbladder long and hard. I tried using herbal remedies, natural flushes and everything else I could find. In the end, it had to go.
Before the surgery, all I heard were horror stories about life without a gallbladder. Constant diarrhea, heartburn and food sensitives peppered the stories I heard from acquaintances and read online.
I knew that I did not want to deal with any of those unwanted side effects, so I did what I do and I started to research how I could support healthy digestion after gallbladder removal surgery.
I read studies and anecdotes. I talked to friends and family. And I spoke with herbalists and nutritionists to get advice.
There wasn’t much time to make a plan since it was an urgent surgery in my case, but the plan I put together is working well. I see myself continuing this regimen, with minor adjustments along the way, for the rest of my life.
Of course, you should still be taking the basics – the very best multi-vitamin made with natural ingredients and an Omega-3 supplement. I highly recommend moving your supplementation to meal time to help with digestion since you’ll be following my supplement recommendations below to support healthy digestion.
These supplements can help with a variety of digestive troubles, not just life post-cholecystectomy. So if you’re curious to know #WhatSupp I use to support healthy digestion after gallbladder removal, here’s the short list!
Top 3 Supplements for Healthy Digestion After Gallbladder Removal
Digestive Enzymes
I would take digestive enzymes with meals before I had my gallbladder removed since it would help the inevitable discomfort that would always result from eating.
I continued the practice after the surgery and find them an absolutely necessary supplement for me. When I forget to take them with a meal, I can instantly tell a difference in how my digestion is working.
Since the gallbladder is responsible for helping with fat digestion, you want to make sure the digestive enzyme brand you choose contains lipase and amylase to help break down fat.
Herbal Bitters
The use of herbal bitters as a digestive tonic goes back many centuries. They seem to be making a resurgence today, and for good reason.
Herbal bitters use completely natural ingredients to encourage the body to digest food better. So I take a small amount before each meal, which tells my liver that it’s going to need to distribute extra bile since it’s no longer stored in the gallbladder.
It also works well to take herbal bitters after a meal if you’re suffering from indigestion. If you don’t have a gallbladder, I highly encourage you try herbal bitters. You’ll get past the taste after a bit!
Probiotics
When I was in the hospital with cholecystitis that resulted in acute pancreatitis, I was on a lot of IV antibiotics. That was one time where modern medicine was a literal lifesaver for me.
While I’m grateful for the availability of antibiotics, I’m also well aware that they can and do destroy the good bacteria right along with the bad. So I have been taking a daily probiotic to help rebuild my gut health.
These aren’t the only three supplements I take, but they are the ones I feel contribute most heavily to my ability to digest food without a gallbladder.