I'm just wondering how many of you post op sleevers had your gall bladder removed during surgery?

Mu surgeon said he would look at mine and remove if needed, but thinks it unlikely (which I would prefer - to keep it that is!).

Kathy

They removed mine with my 1st wls, supposedly a higher # of people have issues with rapid weight loss if they still have the gallbladder.

Hi Boredoncemore,

Do you mean issues as in weight stalling?

I was wondering about this too...my understanding was that problems with the gall bladder were due to extremely rapid weight loss...if mine is slower, will my gall bladder be okay?

IIRC, rapid weight loss can lead to gall bladder disease, so if there are pre-existing GB issues, some surgeons remove the GB at around the same time as doing the surgery.

Again from what I remember, the number of people who get gall bladder problems with WLS is about 1/3, and there are a few things you can do to "stack the deck" a little if you don't have your GB out at the time of surgery. I posted those in another thread, but they include coffee (obviously decaf at first), fruits and veggies (when cleared to eat them), low-fat diet, slower weight loss, and (oddly) moderate alcohol consumption.

I'm not a doctor tho... talk to your doc if you have questions :cursing:

I lost about 60 pounds in 5 months on my own when I was 19 and I ended up with gallstones. So I know first hand that rapid weight loss can cause gallstones. I think a lot of it is predetermined. If you have a family history of gallbladder issues and have the option to get it removed during your WLS I know I would. After I had mine removed I found out that tons of women in my family had theirs removed. I asked my doctor at the time if there was something I could have done to prevent them and he said there really isn't much you can do. Its really luck of the draw. There is a medication you can take to prevent them after surgery but from my understanding the medicine only decreases your risk while you take it and resumes to the same level of risk as soon as you stop taking it. All I know is if I knew what I know now about the pain of a trying to pass a gallstone I would want that thing out. It was the worst experience of my adult life. Honestly, I know it is not the same for everyone but I have had no disadvantages without the thing. I can eat exactly the same as I did when I had a gallbladder. I have has no ill effects from not having a gallbladder.

Again from what I remember, the number of people who get gall bladder problems with WLS is about 1/3, and there are a few things you can do to "stack the deck" a little if you don't have your GB out at the time of surgery. I posted those in another thread, but they include coffee (obviously decaf at first), fruits and veggies (when cleared to eat them), low-fat diet, slower weight loss, and (oddly) moderate alcohol consumption.

I'm not a doctor tho... talk to your doc if you have questions

Ouroborous - thanks.

I did chat to my Dr, who said if he found stones in it he would remove it, so I guess its just a waiting game - possibly the fact I have dieted more or less for the past 20 yrs or so might mean I have more chance of having them... so we'll see

I'll search out the thread about stacking the deck to do as much as I can tho - thanks for the tip.

Kathy

Heartonmysleeve - thanks for the tip..... sounds painful!!

Kathy

I had mine removed at 8 months post-sleeve. My surgeon only has about 1/4 of his patients have gb issues so he prefers to not remove them unless there are existing issues or a history of gb attacks. I had zero issues with mine pre-op, but my father, and most of the members of my family on his side have had theirs removed.

I do have issues with certain foods now post gb removal. I have to watch my fat content now, not that I ate a lot of fat before, but I have to steer clear of full fat salad dressing, some nuts, and I couldn't eat avocados for a couple of months. My other issue now post gb removal is I can not tolerate any type of red marinara, spaghetti sauce. Too much ketchup, or salsa gives me major grief. I can eat a small amount, but if I go over by just a little, I will regret it.

During my losing stage, I would have been screwed trying to adhere to my carb counts because low fat and fat free stuff is all loaded with sodium and sugar which increases the carb counts on most foods. So, I'm grateful that I didn't have it removed during my revision. I hate fat free stuff because of the sugar counts, and additional sodium that is added to help make the FF stuff taste better.

I also refused the medication to prevent gallstones. Our livers work double time during rapid weight loss, and I was not willing to take another pill that my liver would have to filter due to my own personal medical history.

I had gb symptoms for 2 months that I didn't recognize as gb issues. When it became so inflamed and full of stones, I could not eat or drink without pain in my abdomen. It was by far the most painful thing I've experienced post-sleeve. I hated it, and had instant relief when I woke up in recovery.

Thanks Tiff - I spoke to hubby and while we first thought we'd get the Dr to remove it anyway, maybe it might be better to just wait and see....

My sister had RNY and 8 months later had a serious gall bladder attack while on business in Washington DC. I had the sleeve in July of 2009, and had continual problems with my gall bladder until March 2010 when they took it out. When hubby wnet for his sleeve a few weeks ago, we opted to have his removed at the same time, hopefully saving him the incredible pain and expense I went through. Just my 2 cents.

My sister had RNY and 8 months later had a serious gall bladder attack while on business in Washington DC. I had the sleeve in July of 2009, and had continual problems with my gall bladder until March 2010 when they took it out. When hubby wnet for his sleeve a few weeks ago, we opted to have his removed at the same time, hopefully saving him the incredible pain and expense I went through. Just my 2 cents.

OOh - now I just don't know! I suppose as I am a self pay, getting 2 ops for the price of one is better and at least I presume they go thru the same scars, so I'll not end up with more scars afterwards!!?!

No it wasn't and i praying it want have to be either...:001_smile:

I'm just wondering how many of you post op sleevers had your gall bladder removed during surgery?

Mu surgeon said he would look at mine and remove if needed, but thinks it unlikely (which I would prefer - to keep it that is!).

Kathy

Hi Kathy,

I chose to have mine removed at the same time. I read and also talked with others who had gall bladder problems with the rapid weight loss. I paid a little extra to have it done at the same time. I didn't want to possibly have problems down the line and have to pay deductible, etc. It would cost a lot more to have it removed later.

Plus my daughter is getting married March 2011 and I sure didn't want to take a chance that something might happen just before or during that time. Some people have problems, some don't, but I didn't want to take the chance that I would be one of them. Good luck in your decision. :001_smile:

I had mine yanked at the same time. I hadn't realized it but the pain under my right ribs was my GB acting wonky for 1.5 years! Since I had it all done at the same time it's hard for me to tell what I can or cannot tolerate simply due to the GB removal. I'll tell you I am thrilled that I don't have that pain anymore... I was really thinking I had a pulled muscle that would never heal!