Gallbladder Problems After Gastric Sleeve Surgery...

[Kayla 6]

I go Tuesday to have an ultrasound done for my Gallbladder to find out if it needs to be removed, I knew it was likely to happen but I didn't realize just how quickly it was going to happen. I mean I am only 4 months out from my surgery....Anyone else have problems with their gallbadders how long after your surgery did it happen.

[FlyGirl 18]

Hi, I had to have mine removed 10 months post op... I probably should have done it sooner (about 3-4 months out) but I was trying to avoid it. If it's bothering you, it's better to just get it removed.. The surgery isn't too horrible.

[Foxbins 625]

Mine came out last Tuesday--10.5 months after surgery. The surgeon said I had more than 100 little stones in it. Although I had no problems until an attack of pancreatitis due to a stone in the pancreatic duct, I was so happy to get rid of it. I'm recovering now and things are going well.

[To Be Thin 2011 80]

Hi,

Can one of you that have the sleeve and gallblader problem advise what symptoms you had?

I have recently experienced natousness (spel??),, upset stomach, pains, which led to chest pains, been to the hospital twice in a week, they have ruled out heart and blood clot...still looking for a reason for this as it comes & goes, not constant...

Suggestions??

[Foxbins 625]

Hi,

Can one of you that have the sleeve and gallblader problem advise what symptoms you had?

I have recently experienced natousness (spel??),, upset stomach, pains, which led to chest pains, been to the hospital twice in a week, they have ruled out heart and blood clot...still looking for a reason for this as it comes & goes, not constant...

Suggestions??

I had a rapid onset of pain that initially felt like acid. I took a Pepcid which did not help and after a couple of hours the pain moved to my right upper abdomen below the ribcage with pain radiating into my back. I felt nauseated all day but did not vomit, though I came close a couple of times. There was extreme pain and tenderness when the doc pressed on the area. I did not have a fever and my blood pressure and pulse were elevated for me but not out of the normal range (probably due to the pain). I had blood work and had an elevated white cell count, amylase and lipase levels so I was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis due to a gall stone blocking the pancreatic duct, confirmed by ultrasound the following day. I should note that before the acute symptoms, my stool had clay-colored streaks in it and my urine had turned kind of brown-colored.

Have you had blood chemistries? Are you taking a PPI? Are you lactose-intolerant? Any change in bowel or urine appearance? An ultrasound would definitively diagnose gall stones if they are in the gall bladder. If they are in the ducts, there are other tests that can be done.

Please keep us posted on what happens--probably best to start your own thread, I only found this by accident. Good luck!

[To Be Thin 2011 80]

Thank you Foxkins... I have my blood panels every 3 months, next one is not due until January... but all in the past have been fine., With being at the ER twice in 5 days, they have tested me for heart related issues, not sure if my blood was tested for the elevated white cells, but I will check on that tomorrow with doc. I have had no change in bowel or urine and no temp, no lactose problem... I do take previcid as needed...

I havent had an episode since Sat morning,,, so no further trips to the ER, will be following up with my doc tomorrow.. Thank you again for this info, I appreciate it and will be more prepared in talking with the doc tomorrow,,

[Kimmes 38]

My gallbladder is coming out Monday morning! - I have lots of little stones in my gallbladder but some have left that GB and are lodged in my bile duct - they do not want these moving to my pancreas or my liver - so out it goes and they will do an ERC to get those in my ducts. Oh the pain = pretty tired of it! I have been having attacks of and on for 2 months - cannot pinpoint what triggers it. Looking forward to a pain free holidays!!

[gettingtohappy 23]

I'm so sorry to hear about the problems that you are having with your gall bladder! Do you all feel that this is due to having VSG?!? I pray you will all get better and feel normal asap!

[Foxbins 625]

I'm so sorry to hear about the problems that you are having with your gall bladder! Do you all feel that this is due to having VSG?!? I pray you will all get better and feel normal asap!

It's due to the rapid weight loss--people get gallbladder attacks after losing on Weight Watchers too--so yes, it's due to the VSG because without the surgery I wouldn't have lost the weight so quickly. If you are concerned, there's a medication called Actigall here in the states (don't know what it's called where you are) that is sometimes given for six months after surgery to help prevent gallstones. You might ask your doctor about it.

[longer-life 139]

((raising hands)). I had to have gallbladder surgery after losing 50 pounds on Weight Watchers. I had one horrendous attack and out it went in 3 days. I have never missed it. Hope all of you feel better!!

[chyna86 17]

I had my initial consult for VSG with an awesome doc but turned out my insurance wouldnt cover the surgery. But gallbladder issues was one of my major concerns and he said he was surprised other doctors dont put WLS patients on gallstone meds post op. I will be on a mission to get these meds once Im post op!

Has anyone been put on them as a preventative measure?

[lessofme2010 25]

I had two attacks before when I had lost weight. So I ellected to have mine out when I had my sleeve.

I figured the writing was on the wall. So away it went.. I really didn't want to have another surgery down the road.

Julie

[JustMom 0]

I lost my gall bladder after rapid weight loss, and I can no longer digest fats properly meaning I have chronic diarrhea. Stats differ but I’ve read that one in 10 people have severe problems like mine after losing their gall bladder. Nobody even told me that there was a high risk of losing my gall bladder with rapid weight loss. I have difficulty leaving the house. I feel doctors gloss over the possible problems of losing your gall bladder. Turns out, I did need mine.