No experience with Celiacs but I do know a lot about Crohns Disease which also causes malabsorbtion of the small intestine. Gluten free is really the only way to go with Celiacs. Gluten is a certian type of protein that will cause worsening symptoms of Celiac. If your cousin stays gluten free her symptoms will improve, but if the surgery is because of damaged lining, she needs to do it to get it out of her. Then the diet. But she has to be on the diet for life and be very very careful about not eating gluten in anything. Here is a website that is a lot like psychcentral but its for people with digestive disorders and they have a whole section on Celiacs and Gluten free recipies and foods its crohnsforum.com

Good luck and prayers to your cousin & you!!