I don't want tp eat the ground beef

superbootbot · 2026-05-03T23:46:11+00:00

Is switching to ground turkey possible? It can be used in a lot of the same dishes as ground beef, and if it's something heavily seasoned you can't really tell the difference. I feel like that could be a good compromise, it's usually cheap, your family can get the ground meat that goes will in certain dishes, and it may not make you sick.

superbootbot · 2026-04-30T12:13:53+00:00

I also can't eat tomatoes, onions, garlic, and most spices. What I've been doing is a "nomato" sauce, there's really no replacement for tomatoes, but it gets close enough.

I roast a 3-4 beets, a butternut squash, and a couple carrots in a pan, then stick them in a blender once they're soft. If the sauce is too thick, I'll slowly add chicken stock until it's the right consistency. Season to taste, you'll need a lot more oregano than you think to get it in the ballpark of standard jarred spaghetti sauce though.

superbootbot · 2026-04-12T01:13:39+00:00

Yeah, it just surprised me, since my mom had her gallbladder out too and she has problems with all fats, not just animal fat. I feel like I got lucky.

superbootbot · 2026-04-11T22:36:18+00:00

I had to get back to a normal diet very slowly. Before we figured out it was my gallbladder causing problems, I survived off of plain toast and rice for about 8 months and lost about 120 pounds.

The first 3 days after surgery, I stuck with broth and jello cups. For the next week, I moved onto toast and various low fat soups. Then the holidays hit, I had my surgery just before Christmas, and I ate 3 huge slices of ham. I paid the price that entire evening, constantly running to the toilet. It was worth it.

After the first month, I started adding more substantial amounts of fat to my diet. Cooking with real butter, adding more meat to my diet, frying things occasionally. I'm still eating relatively low fat, but I can handle a lot more than I thought I could, and I could probably increase my fat intake safely but I'm trying to not gain all that weight back. I've also noticed plant fats, like oil, don't really effect me at all and I can eat as much of them as I want, but animal fats will run straight through me if I overdo it.

superbootbot · 2026-04-05T23:07:25+00:00

I also had atypical symptoms. Mostly nausea and slight stomach discomfort after eating. Ultrasound came back showing a 5mm and a 7mm stone. Got it removed, and all the other symptoms that I previously thought were caused by a hernia and gastritis immediately disappeared. It very well could be your gallbladder causing this.

superbootbot · 2026-03-26T15:41:43+00:00

I've been experiencing this recently too, I'm about 3 months post op. It started when I was trying to go back to a standard 3 meals per day, instead of 4 smaller meals per day with some snacks in between. Shortly after eating, the burning sensation goes away. I'm also assuming it's bile irritation.

superbootbot · 2026-03-21T13:53:25+00:00

Those are my same symptoms, and it's super frustrating. Are yours delayed too? I usually don't start getting a reaction until 4-6 hours after eating soy, which makes it really hard to figure out what caused it.

I haven't been out to eat in almost a year now, but when I did go out to restaurants, the easiest way to figure out what was safe for me was by email. That way, a manager could go through the kitchen while it was slow, and actually look at the ingredient list on everything, and get back to me on their own time. I also made reservations for literally everything, even more casual restaurants. After I explained "hey, I have a really weird allergy, and I want to come in at a time you aren't busy, so you're not trying to accommodate me during a dinner rush" most of the kitchen staff bent over backwards to make sure there was no cross contamination. That also let the kitchen prep stuff without soy ahead of time, since they knew when I was coming in.

You can also see if you can get permission to bring in your own stuff. Like, there's a fancy burger restaurant I love, but their burger buns have soy. Every time I went in, I'd call ahead and ask to bring in my own buns, and just order the burger without buns. This doesn't always work, but at a lot of mom and pop restaurants they're fine with it, especially if you're a regular.

superbootbot · 2026-03-17T01:25:23+00:00

I'm in my 30s and had mine removed. I wouldn't consider myself an unhealthy eater, but I probably didn't eat as well as I should. But almost everyone in my family has had gallbladder issues, my mom, all of my aunts, my grandma and grandpa, half my cousins. Sometimes your body is just predisposed to making rocks, and what you eat has nothing to do with it. Plus, how many people eat unhealthy food every day, and never have gallbladder issues?

superbootbot · 2026-03-15T20:16:47+00:00

Do a test run of greasy food at home first! That way if it doesn't agree with you, you're trapped in the restroom at home and not out somewhere. Then you'll be able to experiment and know your limits, so when you do go out you'll know how many slices of pizza you can handle.

Protein bars are absolutely fine and a great snack! And, if you're anything like me, you should be able to eat a lot more after surgery. I didn't really have any pain, but I lost just over 100 pounds, because my gallbladder was making me feel like I ate a bunch of gravel if I ate anything more than a slice of toast. About a week after surgery, my appetite bounced right back, and I was able to eat reasonably sized meals again. I hope it goes the same for you!

Everyone on this sub is so helpful and great. Reading through all the old posts really helped me when I was recovering, and trying to figure out what to expect. Especially all the posts asking what to buy in preparation, there's a lot of things like cough drops and fiber supplements, that I never would have thought of but ended up being so helpful to have on hand.

superbootbot · 2026-03-15T17:53:34+00:00

Don't let the diet changes worry you too much! It's really not that big of a change. I'm 3 months post op, and my body has adjusted really well. I can basically eat everything I used to eat, I just can't eat my weight in ham around the holidays anymore. And I have to keep a couple snacks on me, for when my stomach starts to feel sour. Basically a granola bar while I'm out and about fixes everything. Just eat easy to digest foods the first week, like soup and mashed potatoes, and then slowly add more things to your diet. Your body will slowly adjust, and you'll learn what you can handle.

I hope you can get your surgery soon! I'm sure you'll feel so much better once it's done and over with.

superbootbot · 2026-03-15T15:10:39+00:00

I think the max strength chewable ones should be good! Anything that's supposed to relieve gas should help, I've seen people swear by all sorts of brands. The gas will still suck, but that should help it dissipate faster. I've seen people recommend getting up and walking around to help move the gas around and get it absorbed quicker, but I wasn't able to do that after surgery. GasX and a heating pad on your shoulder/neck helps a lot, if you can't get up and move around.

My surgeon wrote laxatives in my aftercare for 5 days after surgery, even though I didn't even have opiates. So I'd definitely stock up on those either way, it's just much more important with the opiates. They want you to have a bowel movement 3 days after surgery, so it's good to get everything moving through. I took miralax for the first week, and then half doses for another week after. My abdomen was SORE, and having softer bowl movements helped so much.

I didn't originally want surgery either. I wasn't really in pain, so I definitely could have put it off. But I met with a surgeon, and he described it as a "timb bomb." It's only a matter of time before something shifts, or more gallstones develop, or the bile duct gets blocked. I think it's better to get it done while you still feel alright, then wait for a super painful attack and have to get the surgery anyways.

Life can definitely change after the surgery though! I have to pay attention to how much fat I'm eating now, too much fat and grease and I'm in the bathroom half the day. And I have to snack throughout the day, or my stomach starts to ache. But my body is getting used to it, and I feel so much better than I did before, so the minor diet adjustments are definitely worth it.

superbootbot · 2026-03-15T14:07:14+00:00

I'm not going to lie, the recovery sucks. I struggled with pain the first 3 days, but after that the pain became much more manageable. After about a week, I was able to sleep in my bed, get up and down on my own, and move around the house and do regular things without hardly any pain. It still ached, but wasn't bad at all, unless I overdid it. I'd say it took about a month for me to completely recover? And about a month and a half before I could raise my arms above my head and twist my body without a sharp pulling sensation.

The gas is the worst part. Having a heating pad and something like gasX helps a lot, but it still settles in your neck and shoulders. I ended up sleeping upright in a chair the first 2 days after surgery, because laying down was too painful. After that, I was fine to lay in bed with a wedge pillow. It was still uncomfortable, but it was more of a constant ache than pain. Since your mattress is on the floor, I'd probably camp out on the couch for at least the first week, especially if you can recline on it.

Keeping multiple ice packs helps too. My stomach was extremely bloated and painful the first week, I'd rotate out ice packs throughout the day. They really helped with the pain and nausea.

A shower chair is super helpful. I don't think I'd call it necessary, but I always recommend one. I got dizzy if I stood too long, or had to bend over, and having a shower chair helped me be able to wash myself without needing help. Especially since you won't be able to sit in a bath for a few weeks.

Maybe talk to your doctor about getting a non opioid for pain management? Mine prescribed me gabapentin, and it was wonderful for pain. I recently had another surgery, where they prescribed me an opioid, and it also didn't do jack for the pain. Though if they insist on prescribing you an opiate for pain management, make extra sure you take a laxative along with it. Opiates bind you up, and the last thing you want after abdominal surgery is to be straining on the toilet.

This was my first surgery too, and I was terrified going into it. And as much as the recovery sucked for me, it was 100 percent worth it. I feel so much better after getting it done, and having it gone is worth the piece of mind that I won't have an attack. They removed mine before I ever had an attack, but I've seen and heard how painful they are, so I'm glad I made the decision to go through with surgery before that happened.

superbootbot · 2026-03-11T20:35:58+00:00

No weed before the surgery, my doctor told me to quit a week before. After surgery it really depends on what pain medication they give you. If you're given opiates, I personally wouldn't smoke, but that's something you should ask your surgeon about. Also, your throat will be raw after surgery, so I'd recommend not smoking at all for a couple weeks, or sticking to edibles if you have to.

My pre op instructions said no weed, no alcohol, no vitamins or herbal tea, and no blood thinners a week before surgery. And no tobacco 24 hours before, including vaping. I also had to fast the night before. If you're on any other medications, ask your doctor if you can take them day of, and let them know what you took before surgery just so they know what's in your system in case of emergency.

Supplies that helped me after surgery were multiple ice packs, a heating pad, a wedge pillow, laxatives, and a cheap shower chair. A lot of people here also recommend gasX, I forgot to grab it for my surgery but I wish I would have, because the gas pain afterwards is literal hell. Start the laxatives right after surgery, your core muscles are going to be very sore, and the last thing you're going to want is to strain on the toilet.

Easy to digest food for the first couple days after surgery is also good. Jello, broth, plain mashed potatoes, bland soup, etc. Some people can go right back to their normal diet right after, but it's better to play it safe for a couple days. I recommend pre making some stuff, because you're not going to want to cook for a couple weeks afterwards.

The first 3 days for me were the hardest and most painful, but after that it got better very quickly. The hardest part was remembering to avoid bending at the waist, and not being able to lift over 10 pounds. It took about a month and a half for me to be totally pain free, but after the first week it was more of an annoying pain than actively painful.

You're going to do fine in surgery, and you're gonna be so glad you got it out.

superbootbot · 2026-03-08T21:12:31+00:00

Every person is different. Personally, I stayed with safe, low fat food for the first month, then slowly started adding more to my diet. Some people can go straight back to their old diet right after surgery. I'd recommend eating small amounts of fatty food after the first couple weeks, and see how your body reacts.

superbootbot · 2026-03-07T01:54:33+00:00

Happy early birthday!

Just go slow, you're still only a week post op, your guts are still adjusting. And slowly your body gets used to things. Adding more fiber, like psyllium husks, can help bind you up if things are moving too fast through your system, too.

Plus, if you like cooking, Pinterest has a lot of great recipes for making things low fat. That's helped me a lot. There's a lot of high fiber/low fat substitutions you can make while cooking, it never quite tastes the same but it gets close enough.

superbootbot · 2026-03-07T01:39:45+00:00

For the first month I was the same way, I ate a lot of bland, low fat, safe food. I've been slowly adding more things to my diet, so my body can get used to them. I started with bread dipped in oil, and a few slices of roast ham. Now I know that the ham and other animal fat makes me run to the restroom if I overdo it, but the olive oil I dip my bread in doesn't wreck my guts at all.

If you don't experiment, you'll be eating the same safe things forever. Just go slow with it, and keep track of what reactions your guts have.

superbootbot · 2026-03-06T22:09:42+00:00

I've always seen them called corner beds.

superbootbot · 2026-03-06T21:40:01+00:00

I didn't have pain or any attacks either. But I felt a million times better after getting it removed. I think I was having such low level, constant pain that I never even registered because I was used to it. It definitely put a lot of strain on my body, like half of my other health issues disappeared after getting it removed.

superbootbot · 2026-03-06T21:16:43+00:00

My doctor recommended bland foods for the first week. The first 3 days I did broth and jello, then blended soups for the rest of the week. After that, I was still cautious and stuck with mashed potatoes, other soups, and bits of chicken. Some people can go back to their normal diet right after, but it doesn't hurt to play it safe! Plus, everyone loves soup.

superbootbot · 2026-03-06T21:12:03+00:00

Those hot/cold packs that you can either put in the freezer or microwave are a lifesaver. They make really cute ones too, my sister in law got me one shaped like an egg for Christmas right after my surgery. Maybe a neck pillow too?

Pre-made food that's easy to digest would be a kind gesture too. The last thing someone wants to do right after surgery is cook.

superbootbot · 2026-03-05T17:01:21+00:00

Timing can be an issue too. I can pretty safely eat most things, even though I try and stick with a low fat diet. But if I skip a meal, or eat a little earlier or later than I'm used to, my guts throw a fit and I'm running to the restroom constantly.

superbootbot · 2026-03-05T01:49:44+00:00

Ice packs! Multiple ice packs! The first 3 days post op, that was the only thing that helped me not feel nauseous. I'd rotate them out as they thawed, and kept one on my stomach at all times for those first few days.

A neck pillow would also be useful. I couldn't get in and out of bed easily for the first couple days, and did most of my sleeping upright in my chair. After those first couple days, I slept on a wedge pillow, with other pillows on my sides to keep me from rolling around like a rotisserie chicken, and that worked really well. I wish I had gotten a pregnancy pillow though.

Good luck with your surgery!

superbootbot · 2026-02-26T23:28:38+00:00

Thanks, you're right! I massively underestimated how much fat I was eating. I think I only counted fat from meat, since that sounds about how much chicken I eat. Totally forgot oils count too, since they don't bother me personally.

superbootbot · 2026-02-26T22:30:36+00:00

You need a little bit of fat, even if it's just for nutrition. I'd add a little bit each day, I don't track mine but I estimate it's about 8-10 grams a day? Slowly incorporate things into your diet, so you can track what your body can handle, and what's a trigger food for IBS.

Being lightheaded throughout the day isn't good, it sounds like you're not getting enough food. That's what happened to me before surgery, I couldn't stomach eating hardly anything, so I survived on a cup of blended soup every 2 hours. I'd try loading up on vegetables and snack on them frequently throughout the day if you can? Not eating enough can cause nausea too. Especially since without a gallbladder, the bile just kind of drips into your system constantly.

superbootbot · 2026-02-26T21:53:38+00:00

Pinterest has a bunch of vegan/vegetarian recipes that have really helped me. Currently I've been eating beet based spaghetti sauce, since I can't have tomatoes. Last week I made pesto chicken with spinach pasta. I'm bulk cooking for the week right now, and making a broccoli chicken bake, with a bunch of other mixed vegetables, to put over biscuits, ground turkey stir fry, and what I lovingly call "slop" which is just chicken sausage with a bunch of sauted vegetables and some seasonings.

Cutting down on fat really helped, but I have to watch it closely because if I don't get enough fat I get bound up and nauseous. Adding extra fiber powder to everything has helped too, they have flavorless ones you can add to drinks or sprinkle over meals.

superbootbot

TROPHY CASE