I am under 10 months post op. I've hit my goal and could not be happier with my sleeve. But for the past month, I have had bouts of pain in my back around my ribcage, sometimes going to the front of my abdomen. Very uncomfortable; I can't seem to get in a position for relief. But the pain isn't unbearable. This happened about 3-4 times a week, for a couple of hours each time. I assumed it was just back pain. Last week after supper, I began having this horrid pain that started in my back that expanded around my rib cage to my stomach area. I was crying and couldn't find a position for any relief again. Incredibly painful, but I was afraid to go to the ER for fear of it just being an unimaginable case of gas. So the next day I went to my doctor and he thought it might be kidney stones. I went for a ct scan (no dye) and it came back normal. That very night I had an attack of pain so severe that I couldn't hardly breathe. The pain started just to the right of my stomach and flared all the way to my back. I dropped to the floor screaming and writhing from the worst pain I have ever experienced. My husband came home to take me to the ER and after 20 minutes, the pain immediately stopped. We went to the ER anyway and they did a ct scan with the dye, along with bloodwork and a urinalysis, and I could not believe it when they told me it was all normal too. While it has not happened since, I've been wondering if it could have been a gallstone that passed. I'm not sure if it would show up on a ct scan a few hours after passing. Has anyone else had gallstone pain post op or gallbladder attacks? I truly don't think that pain could possibly been caused by gas. My sister had to have hers out a few years ago.

you dont need to wait til an attack to go to the ER. they will probably subside before u get there. just go & tell them you just had one & that you need an ultra sound to see if its your gall bladder. thats all.

[quote name=ravenjeh' timestamp='1344739734'

post='444729]

Today I had my fourth major attack. From everything I've read, it's gotta be gallstones. Two weeks ago, I called every GI doctor in my area and next Wednesday, the 15th, is the earliest anyone can see me. But that seems like an eternity with these attacks. I've vowed to go to the ER, a much bigger/prestigious ER mind you, if it happens again tonight. This is the pits

Really? Are surgeons not putting their patients on a preventative for gallstones?? Mine prescribes Actigall (aka Ursodiol) as a matter of course (unless you no longer have your gallbladder) for at least the first 6 months post-op. Gallstones are a pretty common side effect of rapid weight loss. I was more than happy to take a preventative - after WLS I wasn't in any hurry to have surgery again - for anything - EVER!

My Dr also prescribes Actigal. I just need to be more diligent about taking it. Because I'm not allowed to swallow pills I have to open the capsule and put it in pudding... very nasty taste.

Mine did the same, only issue is he prescribed the pills twice a day and I have enough difficulty getting it down once. Is anyone only taking it once a day? If so, how has this been working for you? I've never had gallbladder issues but they do run in my family.

I think I only had to break open the capsule for the first six weeks. I put the pill contents on a spoon, blobbed some applesauce on top of it, and did my best to get the spoonful swallowed without touching any taste buds. The Actigall was by far the worst of my meds, but I didn't have to do it very long before I could just swallow the pill.

So I'm in the ER right now after having what I assume to be a gallbladder attack. I'm a year post op and the attacks started about a month ago. I was prescribed Actigall after surgery and took it until my surgeon told me to stop. I did have an ultrasound a week ago and it did show signs of stones but no inflammation. My ultrasound before surgery showed no stones. Is this a common problem for people post-op?

Omgosh this is scary, I am going to ask if he could remove my gallbladder at the time of surgery.

I asked my dr to do that due to fam history. He said no because ins won't cover it and double surgery = double risk of complications. When they told me they would have to remove it, I said TOLD YOU BUT NOOOOOOO YOU DIDNT WANT TO LISTEN!! Rofl!!! I'm surprised he hasn't smacked me between the complications/attitude/dry sarcastic humor hehehe

I had gallstones before surgery. My surgeon said same thing as Ashlee, no VSG & gallbladder removed at same time. Still have my gallbladder without any problems thus far.

Hear about 33% of WLS patients eventually have gallbladders out. I am hoping for the best. Stay vigilant.

Today I had my fourth major attack. From everything I've read, it's gotta be gallstones. Two weeks ago, I called every GI doctor in my area and next Wednesday, the 15th, is the earliest anyone can see me. But that seems like an eternity with these attacks. I've vowed to go to the ER, a much bigger/prestigious ER mind you, if it happens again tonight. This is the pits

hello, did you get answers to your pain? im 9 mo out and at 6 mo dr did a sonogram and i didnt have gallstones, at my 9 mo visit just about a week ago, she said she wanted me to get a hyda scan, she said that your gallbladder han ahve 2 issues, 1. u can get gall stones. and when u pass a stone very painfull, 2. the gallbladder can malfunction. so the hyda scan is a dye test sonogram, that looks at the actual function and they make the gallbladder function and they can watch it. i wake up in the night, by upper belly gets hard , bloated, and hurts, i cant sleep, can last for hrs, then very bad painfull gas, i also get pain in my liver.

i will get the hyda scan dec 31. i hope my issue will get resoved, my vsg dr would remove it

My Doctor prescribed me Urisodol also. I hated when I couldnt swallow the whole pill, nasty. Hopefully people who read this before their surgery, they will prompt their doctor for that medicine.