Christmas Dinner for Gallbladder Inflammation

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Hi, I've just joined this community recently, and this is my first time posting a thread. I'm not a nurse, but I am a certified paralegal at a medical malpractice defense firm (we mostly represent the physicians and their insurance companies), and I took a two year vocational nursing program in high school so I do know a little bit about nursing.

To get to my question, my 57 yo mother was recently diagnosed with an inflammed gallbladder and surgery was recommended. Unfortunately, even though my mom has insurance and her deductible has been met, she needed $600.00 upfront just to have the surgery scheduled. We were not able to afford that at the time so now she is having to go through Christmas with her gallbladder "attacks" and my question is, what are some good alternatives (non-fatty) foods that we could make for Christmas dinner that will not have too much of an effect on her gallbladder? We are switching from ham to turkey, but I am at a loss of what other things to serve her. Google and her doctor have not been much help. Her doctor actually did not tell her any foods to avoid. He just advised her to take Prilosec.

We normally serve things such as mashed potatoes, dressing, deviled eggs, broccoli casserole and from what I've been reading, none of those are good for her.

She's been having a lot of attacks lately, but she is also in the habit of overeating. If she just limits what she has, should the above food be okay for her?

Any suggestions/advice you can give me is greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

AFAIK, this forum doesn't allow medical advices and I am not sure your situation can be seen as "not medical", even though we all learn about nutrition in school. Still, my two cents:

1). There are specialists named "registered dietitians" who are best educated and trained to resolve problem just like yours. Ask your doctor for referral.

2). There is nothing criminal in having separate dinner for someone with special dietary needs, especially if it very well might be one time event. I have my "special" food (as well as corner, plate and silverware) for 30+ years and three special diets in one family to manage every day and so can honestly say: it is not that much about eating the same things as about being there and having fun together.

3). Meringues for dessert? They are only egg white and sugar, no fat, no spices, room temperature, small and festive... only a bit tricky to make.

I hope you mom will feel better soon!

P.S. Dear Forum Moderator, please kindly let know here if further advice might be provided for OP.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
AFAIK, this forum doesn't allow medical advices and I am not sure your situation can be seen as "not medical", even though we all learn about nutrition in school. Still, my two cents:

1). There are specialists named "registered dietitians" who are best educated and trained to resolve problem just like yours. Ask your doctor for referral.

2). There is nothing criminal in having separate dinner for someone with special dietary needs, especially if it very well might be one time event. I have my "special" food (as well as corner, plate and silverware) for 30+ years and three special diets in one family to manage every day and so can honestly say: it is not that much about eating the same things as about being there and having fun together.

3). Meringues for dessert? They are only egg white and sugar, no fat, no spices, room temperature, small and festive... only a bit tricky to make.

I hope you mom will feel better soon!

P.S. Dear Forum Moderator, please kindly let know here if further advice might be provided for OP.

Ah okay, thanks! It didn't even really cross my mind about the medical advice. I was just in panic mode about what to do for her. She's constantly in pain, and I didn't want to make it worse.

Thank you so much for the info!

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Specializes in ICU/PACU.

From my personal experience with my gallbladder, fatty foods weren't related. Any food caused me pain. I remember the morning before I went to the ED I had half a plain bagel and that sent me into enough severe pain I ended up going to the ED, admitted to the hospital and having my gallbladder removed the next day.

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When I had my gall bladder crisis, I woke up on a Sunday morning in agony and ended up in the ER, insurance or no insurance. May I suggest: loan from prosper dot com If your credit score is at least 640, you should be able to obtain $600 for medical expenses. I can assure you, your mother will feel better sooner rather than later. Why don't you just schedule your Christmas feast for when she is home from the hospital? HTH

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

There is no one single answer as there is so much variation in gallbladder conditions and response. I've seen patients have complications from delaying surgery that the only answer was IV fluids and admission (nothing by mouth) especially if having many attacks.

You really need to consult with her doctor or a registered dietician. A phone consult with a dietician is definitely less than $600 and might be a good option.

Anything more may be considered medical advice.

You can review the American academy of dietetics and nutrition:

http://www.eatright.org

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

As other posters have alluded to, we can't provide medical advice. Please take your dear Mother to the ER NOW and get her treated.

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