Gallbladder question? - ThinnerTimes

jesikalee · 03-03-2008, 05:19 AM

I am having trouble w/ my gallbladder and waiting for my pcp to send me for a sono to see what is up, but she seems to think it will need to come out.

My question is, Can they take it out when I have the bypass surgery? Or do I have to have two surgeries? And If I have the gallbladder one now does that affect my ability to have the WLS?

THanks so much!

Jessica

katzz87 · 03-03-2008, 09:48 AM

Noticed your other post...and you ask really good questions!

Sometimes surgeons will remove the gall-bladder if there are issues during the WLS. Not sure how that works if you are currently having problems.

I know that others will be posting that have personal experiences...

CeeCee · 03-03-2008, 12:22 PM

They can remove your gallbladder when they do the bypass (providing there isn't anything to prevent it.) My surgeon and I had an agreement; if my galbladder looked the least bit suspicious while he was in there for the bypass, he would take it out. There is a statistic floating around here somewhere that up to 30% of GBS patients end up having gallbladder issues within a few years of the surgery. My gallbladder is gone and I don't miss it one little bit!

THIN4TWINS · 03-03-2008, 01:36 PM

Hi Jessica - my cousin had lap-rny less than a year ago and b/c she had had previous issues with her gall bladder, they planned to remove it during her surgery. However, once they got in to do that (which took 2 extra incisions) they weren't able to get to it. I think the pre-op diet may have had something to do with it. If you stick to the pre-op diet, it makes everything on the inside easier to manipulate. On another note, she hasn't had any problems with her gall bladder since the surgery.

soon2bthin · 03-03-2008, 01:41 PM

My gallbladder started to act up almost 4 months to the day of my gbs. I had to have it removed on December 28, 2008 due to a huge gall stone having my common bile duct completely blocked. My surgeon said this was the majority of my problems. Since it has been removed I have been fine and felt great.

Cassie

ladytonya · 03-04-2008, 09:29 PM

Yup, very common. I know a lot of people who have had their GB removed during RNY. Unfortunately, my surgeon didn't believe in doing that. I had lap RNY in December, 2006, and lap GB removal in July, 2007. At least I was lucky and never had any issues with mine. I had some freak symptoms that my wonderful surgeon recognized as being potentially causes by gallstones. He insisted on me having an ultrasound even though my PCP didn't think it was necessary. Had ultrasound, had gallstones, no longer have gallbladder.
Good luck!

I_love_Hello Kitty · 03-04-2008, 09:42 PM

During pre-op testing, they discovered I had some gallstones. My mother had very bad gallstone and gallbladder issues...so I asked the surgeon to remove it during my WLS. It added one extra incision for me, and a slightly longer surgery. I also believe my recovery may have been more painful than some. But I'm glad I did it, because of my Mom's issues, I didn't want to go in later and deal with an additional surgery.

Toony · 03-05-2008, 06:13 AM

This was asked at a recent support group meeting which was led by one of the surgeons. They will take it out if indicated... it only adds 10 min. to the surgery...

good luck!

katie

Alleusion · 03-05-2008, 06:19 AM

I did some reading on gallbladder attacks and disease last night. I'm 2 years post op GBS and 1 year post op gallbladder surgery. Apparently, 40% of people who have their gallbladder removed, continue to have symptoms and the liver can produce stones from backed up bile ducts as well. I am, unfortunately, one of the 40%. I've been having horrible attacks since Monday to the point where I'm afraid to eat right now. Not good, considering the baby needs me to eat. But yeah, I'd really do some thinking about having the gallbladder out, as you can continue to have attack / stone symptoms.

For the record, I never had stones. I just had an infected gallbladder that would not release the bile to my digestive system, causing it to become irritated.

Amandazon247 · 03-12-2008, 09:14 AM

Well I kno my surgeon was glad mine was already gone. I had it taken out in 2006 due to severe gallstones it was actually a rush type deal.. So I told my surgeon and he was like GREAT .. one less issue for the future..