Banding may be postponed :(

not2big42long · March 10, 2004

I went today for my pre-op consult and found out that I need my gallbladder out. :cry So.....on Friday 3/12 I am getting it out laparoscopically. Then I find out next Thursday if I can still get the band on the 24th or if we have to put it off a couple weeks. My surgeon said he could do them together but the risk of infection increases quite a bit. He and I decided it's better to be safe and do the gallbladder first. Sorry I am rambling on so. It's just a little disappointing and was quite a shock.

sassaay · March 10, 2004

Hi Kathy,

I am sorry to hear about your band surgery being postponed and also that you have to have your gallbladder removed.

I am no medical professional, but I have seen other posts from people who have had gallbladder and band at the same time as well as hernia repair and band at the same time. I would think that there is more risk of infection doing one surgery and two weeks later doing an additional surgery... but like I said, I am no professional.

I wonder what they do the second time around... Do they enter in the same incisions or create new ones elsewhere on your stomach?

I hope it all works out for the best. Keep your chin up! You will be banded before you know it!

not2big42long · March 11, 2004

Thanks for the support. I think I might call him today and see if we can't just try to do it at the same time. I would rather try that then have two surgeries.

Thanks Again,

Vera · March 15, 2004

I would op to have your Gull-bladder removed at the same time as placing your band.

My history is a C-section 11/97, Gull-bladder removed 03/00, Colon removed 05/00, C-section 07/01, Band placement 08/03. The reason I show my surgery history is that I can take surgeries well in general, some people can not. My scars from gull bladder removal are with-in 1/4 inch from Lap-band scars. Does your doctor intend to wait for your scars to heal to then cut approx. right on top of them to place your band. With my C-sections as well the doctor cut right over the previous scar.

I know scars are not the issue, and everyone heals differently.

I have a friend who had a c-section then 3 days later had her tubes tied because her insurance would not let her have it done at the same time(I had my tubes tied right after my baby was delivered).

If there are other risks, illnesses involved everything has to be taken into consideration.

Personally I would have them done together, and have heard of others who have had Gull-bladders removed at the same time as placing a band.

As I see on the date you may have allready been in surgery.

Good luck and keep us posted

Debra · March 15, 2004

Kathy

My doctor told me that she didn't do the two surgeries together because of the bacteria that can come from the gall badder operation. She said being that the lapband is man-made material it could hold/absorb some of the bacteria and you could end up with a very bad bacterial infection!

Just a little extra info!

Best of luck!

Debra

not2big42long · March 16, 2004

Thanks Debra and Vera,

My doctor said the same thing Debra. His concern is that the bacteria from the gallbladder would infect the band. I am private pay and really am frightened of complications that won't be covered. For now I have put off the gallbladder and I am getting a few tests done to see exactly what the problem with my gallbladder is. I agree with you Vera, it would be a lot better to just do them all at once. But and there is always a but, how will I feel if something happens. Lots of decisions....:guess One thing good I found out is that should I decide to have both surgeries at the same time my out of pocket expenses won't be as much because insurance will cover some of it. Woo-hoo:) Should know something by Wednesday 3/17. I'll keep you all posted.

Vera · March 16, 2004

Kathy

I remember before I had my gallbladder out that I was suffering ulcerative colitis. The doctors kept saying "your pancreas is pissed off you should get your gallbladder removed" and I was not Diabetic. They did blood tests weekly. I waited 4 months before I had it removed. At the time I was in more pain with my colitus issues that I just op to have it removed without questioning any further.

Please do keep us posted.