I have been having stomach pains about once a month for a few months now, at first I thought it was just really bad gas. Then, on Friday night it was so bad i could hardly walk. I looked it up online and realized it was probably gallstones. Went to the ER, got blood work and an ultrasound done, and yes, it is gallstones. So, I may have to have my gallbladder removed. More holes in my stomach is just what I want! Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had theirs removed after they had the band in for a while, I was banded 10/28/11, so i've had mine about a year. I'm afraid the dumb US doctors (was banded in MX) will not be careful or will screw up my band during surgery.

Please help!

It's actually fairly common for people have gallbladder problems after significant weight loss. The fact many are following a high protein/low carb diet contributes to it.

I have been having stomach pains about once a month for a few months now, at first I thought it was just really bad gas. Then, on Friday night it was so bad i could hardly walk. I looked it up online and realized it was probably gallstones. Went to the ER, got blood work and an ultrasound done, and yes, it is gallstones. So, I may have to have my gallbladder removed. More holes in my stomach is just what I want! Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had theirs removed after they had the band in for a while, I was banded 10/28/11, so i've had mine about a year. I'm afraid the dumb US doctors (was banded in MX) will not be careful or will screw up my band during surgery.

Please help!

I had to have my gall bladder removed when I was 6 months post op from having my band placed. The entire series of events began with being hospitalized for pancreatitis, which was eventually discovered to be caused as a result of my gall bladder no longer working.

Ironically, my bariatric surgeon missed this diagnosis entirely...and it was my Board Certified Internal Medicine PCP who caught the "red flags" in my hospital lab work to make a definitive diagnosis.

I feel it was insulting to refer to US doctors as "dumb"...they are highly skilled. There will be a few questionable doctors in all groups in general, however making a generalized assessment of US physicians being "dumb" is just not close to being accurate for many reasons and on many levels. There are many reasons why I would never consider having my health and well being entrusted to a foreign doctor, and would especially never want to have surgery so far from home.

The general surgeon told me he was "not a fan of the band", however he had a broad knowledge base, and discussed my gall bladder surgery with my bariatric surgeon prior to the procedure. I did not need to have an unfill for the surgery, and thankfully had an uncomplicated recovery.

If you reside in the US, I hope you will improve your assessment of the skill set of US physicians. Your life may depend on them one day...and Mexico is a long way away in the event of a medical emergency...just saying.

sorry, I didn't mean dumb, I meant "usually uncaring and often arrogant"

I had my surgery in Mexico, and let me tell you, after the wonderful experience I had there, and the horrible experiences i've had up here with uncaring doctors who are only in it for the money, I'd go back to Mexico every time. I'm in Vegas, which is why I had it done there. I'm very close and have been back down there for all my fills and follow ups. No band complications whatsoever and down 73 lbs in less than a year. I'm more scared of having my gallbladder removed in a US hospital than I was of getting the band done in Tijuana.

I have been banded 2 months and just had unexpected gallbladder surgery on Friday. I now have 4 more incisions in addition to the 5 from my lapband surgery. According to my surgeon it is extremely common to have gallbladder issues after significant weight loss. My gallbladder ultrasound was negative but another test showed my gallbladder was only functioning at 17%. I'm just glad that it's over...moving forward and continuing my journey.

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My surgeon put me on a medication preop and for the next 9 months called Ursodiol. This medication helps to prevent gallstones in people who have rapid weight loss. He told me that it is so common that he has started to take measures to prevent that. And my surgeon is from the good ole U S of A!!!!

I was banded 12/30/11 and had my gall bladder removed 9/21/12. After several months of "attacks" I was finally diagnosed as having gall stones. I have lost 63 pounds to date. After reading posts on this site it seems very common.

Can you guys who had the gallbladder out after you had the band placed tell me if you had a different surgeon than the one who did the band? I'm going to have to have someone else and I'm afraid they're going to mess up the tubing or port. I am trying to find a specialist, but the hospital only gave me a number to a general surgeon who I am going to see today.

I had the same surgeon for both surgeries. It was my primay care doctor who diagnosed/sent me for all the tests to find out what was wrong with me. He referred me back to the my lap band doctor since he does more than wls not to mention he understands my band. An added was that he checked my band out while doing the gall bladder surgery.

It is very common that our gallbladders have to be removed after banding. Mine had to be removed this past February. As far as surgeon messing up ur band I would suggest going to a GI Dr. Who does the gastric surgeries because they are use to dealing with the band's. Best of luck.

Can you guys who had the gallbladder out after you had the band placed tell me if you had a different surgeon than the one who did the band? I'm going to have to have someone else and I'm afraid they're going to mess up the tubing or port. I am trying to find a specialist, but the hospital only gave me a number to a general surgeon who I am going to see today.

I had a general surgeon to do my gall bladder surgery, as my bariatric surgeon focuses only on WLS. The general surgeon had extensive knowledge about the band, I did not need to have an unfill for the surgery, and thankfully did not experience any complications with my recovery.