I just had my pre-op work done, included an ultrasound of my tummy and they now want to remove my Gallbladder before getting banded. I was told I have a small gallstone. I have never been troubled by gallbladder problems. Is it a true necessity for band success or is it a scam for more insurance and more money? please reply with any information you may feel useful!

Can they do it at the same time?

Dr. suggested 2-3 weeks in between surgeries.

It used to be common to remove the gall bladder at the same time as banding---and some doctors did this whether the gall bladder was diseased or not, because the loss precipitated by WLS very often does trigger the formation of gallstones that necessitate removal.

They found that postop infections increased when the two procedures were done at the same time.

You already have an identified gall stone. Chances are, you will genuinely require gall bladder removal.

The question is whether it must be now, or whether you can wait and see whether it becomes necessary.

The problem with the latter approach is that, if you become ill, it can really make recovery from banding --- or getting used to a new band--difficult.

Many people do live with gall stones that never become symptomatic. It's very difficult to predict whether you will be among them.

So the short answer is no, your doctor is not a scam artist. It sounds like he has genuine concerns about your well-being, and wishes to tackle a problem before it causes you distress.

OTOH, it's an approach that might not be necessary.

Is he approachable, in terms of discussing the pros and cons of moving forward? If I were in your shoes and did not want to have the cholecystectomy before banding, I think I would let my own doctor know that I was aware that WLS ups the odds of gall bladder disease, and that I knew that intervention might be necessary down the road---but would prefer to approach it more conservatively. If you're well-informed, and know the signs & symptoms to look for, a wait-and-watch approach really may be appropriate (even if it's not your doctor's first choice).

OTOH, if he is insistent, I would not feel as though I were being scammed. I might get a second opinion (from another bariatric surgeon), but I would accept it simply as his (acceptable) medical opinion.

Edited February 21, 201016 yr by BetsyB
clarity

I have to admit, I've had moments thinking that my insurance is being milked.

Weight loss is a HUGE money-making industry and doctors are in business to make money.

I've been sent to so many doctor's who are housed within the same practice and diagnosed with ailments I never knew I had and always, additional appointments have been needed, and another appointment and another ...

I feel like I've taken my car to the mechanic to have the oil changed and ended up with a grocery list of things that need to be repaired. If I take my car to another mechanic, will the same things be broken? We can and should get second opinions, when there is doubt. I got a second opinion on one of the health issues I was diagnosed with and treatment had a slightly different result.

I need and want the lap-band surgery so badly, that I've been willing to jump through hoops, not make waves and pay the bills. It's been a very frustrating process, that's for sure.

BUT ...

To end on a good note, I feel like I've had the best physical I have ever had in my life. I am feeling better with some of the new treatments I'm receiving which is my best proof that I am being treated correctly.

Good luck to you and please get a second opinion from another doctor if you have any doubts. The reassurance, if nothing else, is worth the price of an additional visit.

doctors are in business to make money.

I disagree. Insurers are, but doctors, for the most part, really aren't.

I disagree. Insurers are, but doctors, for the most part, really aren't.

LOL! If only this were true, then I wouldn't have a desk covered in files to investigate doctors for committing fraud! BTW, its frightening how many of the cases are valid.....the reality is, there are greedy people in all walks of life...some happen to choose medicine as the means to wealth or they start out honest and decide to "up the margin" a bit b/c "they deserve it", "isurance doesn't pay well enough", etc, etc, etc....at the end of the day they are still stealing.

..........

Edited February 22, 201016 yr by Humming Bird

LOL! If only this were true, then I wouldn't have a desk covered in files to investigate doctors for committing fraud! BTW, its frightening how many of the cases are valid.....the reality is, there are greedy people in all walks of life...some happen to choose medicine as the means to wealth or they start out honest and decide to "up the margin" a bit b/c "they deserve it", "isurance doesn't pay well enough", etc, etc, etc....at the end of the day they are still stealing.

What percentage of American physicians are represented in the files you see? Not a very big one. You see the worst of the profession; that does not mean the remainder bears any resemblance to that.

Yes, there are a-holes in every walk of life.

Most who enter the field of medicine do not do so to make money. There are far better ways of doing that!

And let's not forget: each and every one of us who is banded--or will be---ASKED for the elective surgery. No one is inflicting anything on us. While it's wise to educate ourselves to ensure that standards of practice are adhered to, it's important to remember that we are forming LIFELONG relationships with our bariatric surgeons.

If you have a surgeon whose judgment you question---find another surgeon. But keeping a jaundiced eye turned toward the profession is only going to serve as a barrier to a good working relationship. And the person whose butt it's going to bite is the patient's.

..........

Edited February 22, 201016 yr by Humming Bird

whoa whoa whoa

When I stated that doctors are in the business of making money, it was not meant as a derogatory statement.

Unless a doctor is a non-profit, he/she is in the business of making money in a for-profit business. Have no doubt about it, I see nothing wrong with this.

I used mechanics as a metaphor, and as we all know, there are good, honest mechanics and then there are some who pad the bill a little. I can imagine, that in the medical industry, this scenario is also possible. I'm not saying the doctor in question in this thread is one or the other. I'm just trying to look at both sides of the coin and help the person who started this thread.

I don't think it's wrong for a consumer to be wary or question issues that bring up that little tickle that says something isn't quite right here. Getting a second opinion can calm the fears or verify the suspicion.

As human beings, nobody is perfect. I am entrusting my well-being to the doctors I chose to oversee my health. I darn well want to be sure that I have no doubts about this trust. I admire the medical field. I have had my life saved and changed for the better and yes, also for the worse by doctors.

Seek a second opinion. Calm your fears.

They found that postop infections increased when the two procedures were done at the same time.

This is interesting because I would've thought doing the two at the same time reduced the risks because it's one less time opening you up. Something to keep in mind.

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I have a friend who's gall bladder went bad after getting banded...so it seems like it could be a possibility for you. Might as well get it taken care of now.

Just my 2 cents......

I asked my surgeon what would be the odds of him needing to remove my gallbladder during, before or after being banded. His response was just a small percentage and that he sees this to be more and more common for Drs' to remove the gallbladder as a way to ring the cash register (his words not mine). So thread starter I would take a good look at more info and possibly get a second opinion. I would hate for you or anyone to go through more medical procedures than nessesary.

I actually have gallstones and have had them for over 10 years with out a problem. In 1999 is when i had a "flare up" I guess you could say and i went to the hospital and they wanted to take my gall bladder out but after doing some research and prayer i decided to leave it alone and see what happens. So when it came to surgery time the ultrasound showed they were still there and that i had A LOT but like i said i have had NO problems with them. So i told this to my doc and he said that we will leave it alone since i haven't had any problems. My doc does do Gallbladder removal at the same time of surgery because its all basically the same type of surgery (laproscopy).

So Hopefully this helps...Its really all a matter of your opinion and your docs. I feel that if something hasn't bothered me why go through the hassle of messing with it.:smile2:

This is interesting because I would've thought doing the two at the same time reduced the risks because it's one less time opening you up. Something to keep in mind.

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For many years, this was the belief--and the two were done together. They have found that postop infection rates soar when the surgeries are combined, so fewer doctors are choosing to do so.