How to Avoid Gallbladder Attacks Triggered by Weight Loss

Gallbladder attacks are often caused by rapid weight loss. That's because those who are overweight or obese often have a large amount of cholesterol in their body. If you lose a large amount of weight in a short time, your liver may release some of this extra cholesterol into your bile, which can accumulate in your gallbladder in the form of small stones, called gallstones. When these stones get stuck in your gallbladder and prevent emptying, it causes the pain of a gallbladder attack. You can avoid gallbladder attacks by losing weight slowly.

Step 1

See your doctor before beginning any weight-loss program. Ask him to help you come up with a plan to lose weight gradually. A reasonable goal is to lose 1 to 2 lbs. per week.

Step 2

Switch to unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, avocados and canola oil. Not only are these fats more heart-healthy than saturated fats, consuming saturated fats may put you more at risk for developing gallstones.

Step 3

Eat more fiber. Fiber can help you to lose weight and to avoid gallbladder attacks. Foods that are high in fiber include whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Step 4

Drink alcohol and coffee in moderation. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drinking one to two alcoholic beverages per day may reduce your risk of gallbladder problems and can also improve your heart health. Partaking in a cup of java each day also breaks up the cholesterol in bile and can help prevent gallstones.

Step 5

Ask your doctor about medications specially formulated to help obese patients avoid gallbladder problems during periods of weight loss. If you are very overweight, the benefit of rapid weight loss may be greater than the risk of having a gallbladder attack and may be made even more so with the help of these medications, which include ursodiol and orlistat.