At my ultrasound I found that I have some gallstones. I really do not want to have my gallbladder removed. It is more of a preventative surgery. Has anyone had gallstone problems either before or after the lapband surgery??? NEED ADVICE!!!

Sherri

I had Lapband surgery in May 2006... I have lost 100+ pounds.... and had my gallbladder removed 3 weeks ago. My doctor said it is very common with significant weight loss to have gall issues and many surgeons chose to take the gallbladder out right along with weightloss surgery. My advise is do it now.... save yourself a second surgery - second recovery time - second set of belly scars etc. I feel nice without that nasty gallbladder. Good luck with your decision!

I agree, have it removed! I'm not banded yet, but I had my gallbladder removed back in 1999. I was in so much pain from gallstones. You definitely don't want those problems after being banded.

HI,

Did you have gallstones prior to lapband surgery or was it after? My doctor won't remove the gallbladder the same time as lapband surgery. Either way I would have to have two surgeries. What symptoms did you have??

Thank you!! It's nice to have someone else's view!!

Sherri

I had my gall bladder removed in May of 2005, due to Reflux, and I was banded on Tuesday. I wish they couldv'e done both at the same time because I really don't like all the scars on my stomach..

I guess no two piece for me!!!

Gall Stones are very painful! My gall bladder was very inflamed and infected when it was removed 9 yrs ago.

They say you can live without it, and you can. But they don't tell you what really happens without it, at least my surgeon didn't.

If I remember correctly, the liver takes over to distribute/make bile to help food digestion.

It is a re-accuring side effect that if I eat fast food, hamburgers, ground beef of any kind, the next day I will be in the bathroom at least 3-4 times within a an hour, and I better be very near one!

Perhaps this is just my body and how it has reacted.

It might not be the same for everyone else.

Have it removed, before the real pain starts.

There is no consensus regarding cholecystectomy and obesity surgery.

Some surgeons are concerned that taking out the gallbladder at the time of lap band placement can increase the risk of infection.

1) Removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy) is termed in surgery a 'clean-contimated' case. This term is reserved for surgery in which you cut across an organ that has bacteria within it and possibly intorduce bacteria into the abdominal cavity. The gallbladder has bile, which empties into the intestine, and therfore can have bacteria within it.

1a) There has been at least one report in the literature of surgeons performing cholecystectomy at the same time as lap band placement and no increase infections were noted.

2) Many reports show a low number of patients go on to require gallbladder removal after lap band surgery.

A few years ago I recall a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons on whether cholecystectomy should be performed at the same time as weight loss surgery, and there was no consensus.

Bottom line, discuss it with your surgeon and learn your options from them.

Good luck!