Hi.....I keep reading that so many people had to have their gall bladder removed soon after Sleeve surgery......anyone NOT have any gall bladder issues? I'm worried I will have to go through another surgery after this. :/

Me. No issues here

I had my gall bladder out several years ago.... way before WLS. Gall bladder problems can affect any of us at any time regardless of WLS or not. You can't predict it.

I had mine removed several years before wls but my doc removes it when performing the sleeve if it is still there.

I didn't have my gall bladder out with my surgery. I kind of wanted to, because both my mother and my sister had to have their gall bladders out in their 30s. Neither was overweight at the time. I spoke about this to my surgeon, and after the surgery he gave me some medication to take for the next six months which will help prevent gallstones. From what I understand, rapid weight loss may cause gallstones for some.

<p>Hi.....I keep reading that so many people had to have their gall bladder removed soon after Sleeve surgery......anyone NOT have any gall bladder issues? I'm worried I will have to go through another surgery after this. :/</p>

Jess,

Gallbladders are tricky. Many people experience Biliary Colic and don't attribute it to their Gallbladder. It often resembles indigestion. Some women like me find out about their gallstones during pregnancy as a result of the OB Ultrasounds. I was probably experiencing the symptoms for years without knowing what was the cause. Was this enough to make me have it removed? Nope, but add-in upcoming sleeve surgery (hopefully in July) and now I'm ready. Rapid/Frequent weight gain/loss can contribute to the formation of the stones. I take Zofran as needed for nausea and digestive enzymes for acid, fatty or spicy food.

I was sooooo relieved when the surgeon said he would just remove it at the time of the sleeve without forcing me to pay for additional imaging (ultrasounds, HIDA Scans, etc.). I have a $3000 deductible and don't want to incur the costs.

Does your surgeon require an abdominal ultrasound prior to surgery? If so, then he/she can make an informed decision about your Gallbladder. Not everyone needs a Cholecystectomy after the sleeve. But those that lose the weight really quickly may be at a higher risk.

Hope this helps.

Ally

I don't have any gallbladder issues either (knocking on wood). I'm not sure if there's anything you can do to prevent an issue either.

Had it out Tuesday.

So far I've had no issues also.

My surgeon told me that only 8% of their clinics wls patents end up needing their gallbladders removed later. They do an ultrasound to determine how healthy it is prior to surgery. If they think it will be a problem, they remove it during the sleeve surgery to try to avoid a second surgery.

There is a preventative medication that some surgeons use. You can ask your surgeon about that too.

Edited March 23, 201412 yr by snochick2005

Thank you all so much!

Ask your surgeon if he will prescribe Ursodiol. That is the liquid medication I am on twice a day to prevent gallstones. It's gross but I'd rather deal with meds than getting my gallbladder out! Plus after I finish the liquid I get switched over to the pill form.