Can You Eat Eggs After Removal of the Gallbladder?

Your gallbladder is a small organ in your abdomen that stores bile, which is the fluid your liver produces to help you digest fats in foods. But some people may experience gallbladder issues, such as gallstones or inflammation.

In some cases, you may need surgery to remove your gallbladder, known as a cholecystectomy. In fact, approximately 1.2 million people have surgery to remove their gallbladders annually, according to 2023 estimates.

If you’ve recently had gallbladder surgery, your doctor may recommend a low-fat diet to promote healthy digestion during the recovery phase. You might be wondering what this means when it comes to eating eggs, such as whether they’re safe to eat and how to prepare them.

Post-Surgery Diet Tips

The main function of the gallbladder is to store and excrete bile, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats. The liver produces the bile, which is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder and then carried into the small intestine.

Following cholecystectomy, though, you will no longer have a gallbladder. This means your liver will send bile straight to your small intestine. As a result, you may have difficulty digesting fats and heavier meals for the first month or so after surgery, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Your doctor may advise minimizing high-fat foods in your diet, including ultra-processed foods, full-fat dairy, and high-fat meats. They might also suggest avoiding spicy foods and high-fiber foods in the first weeks after surgery.

Avoiding high-fat foods may help prevent the abdominal discomfort and altered bowel movement patterns that could happen after eating high-fat meals, according to a research review published in 2024.

Eating Eggs After Gallbladder Removal

You may think of eggs as a higher-fat food, because one large egg contains approximately 5 grams (g) of fat.

But it’s generally safe to eat eggs in moderation following gallbladder removal. In fact, some experts recommend eating eggs because they offer healthy protein.

Instead, focus on how you prepare the eggs.

It’s best to avoid using butter or high-fat oils like coconut oil or palm oil, according to Cleveland Clinic. Instead, consider a small amount of a lower-fat oil, like olive oil, if you’re scrambling or frying your eggs.

To avoid fat-containing oils altogether, you could stick to simple prep methods like boiling your eggs in water. Slicing them and eating them on top of a piece of toast can help bump up the calories of your meal while keeping it safe for your digestive system, too.

If eating whole eggs causes you discomfort following your surgery, you may try to eat just the egg whites. The egg whites from 1 large egg contain less than 1 g of fat.

Egg substitutes are another option you could consider.

And remember: The type of diet your doctor prescribes after surgery is based on your individual needs. Unnecessarily limiting fats in your diet may place you at risk for nutritional deficiencies.

In fact, the aforementioned research review underscores this fact, suggesting that dietary recommendations following cholecystectomy should be highly personalized to each individual.

That’s why it’s important to always consult with your doctor about which foods to eat and which foods to avoid following your surgery.

Additional Considerations

No matter how you prepare your eggs, another important consideration is how much you’re eating. Following gallbladder removal surgery, it’s best to keep your food portions small, according to Cleveland Clinic.

You may even have a decreased appetite following your surgery, and your doctor may advise eating several smaller meals throughout the day rather than three larger ones.

Along with eating balanced, nutritious meals, it’s important to drink plenty of clear liquids. Your doctor will also likely advise limiting caffeine and avoiding alcohol.

Most people can return to their usual diet after a few months, according to Cleveland Clinic. That said, talk with your healthcare professional if you experience abdominal pain (especially if it is severe or gets worse), have severe nausea or vomiting, notice a yellowing of your eyes or skin, or are unable to defecate or have lasting diarrhea.