Hi. I had heard that if you still had a gall bladder then it would be removed during the VSG surgery because of the high rate of gall stones with rapid weight loss. I had my pre-admission pre-op visit today, surgery 1 week from today. About 6 weeks ago, I called the bariatric center I work with and specifically asked if my gall bladder will be removed as I had hoped so and the gal there put me on hold to verify and she said yes. The reason I asked to be sure, was that I saw the insurance paperwork and mentioned an EGD, VSG, and liver biopsy but no gall bladder removal. SO I wanted to make sure it was being removed and I was told it will be and is part of the VSG entry for insurance ie: gall bladder removal is part of what they do in the procedure. Anyway, today the Physicians Asst that saw me as part of pre-op where I sign my surgery consent, said NO, it is not standard unless I had had gall bladder issues before. She said only like 10% develop issues but I had read it was like 60% or more hence why its standard to remove the gall bladder. Afterwards she tells me how it does "suck" as her sister was sleeved last year and 9 months later had to have her gall bladder removed.

How many of you had it removed (if you still had one) and how many had it left in and if so, any issues?

This bariatric center is becoming more incompetent by the day and my surgery is in a week. uggggg I just didn't want issues down the road which would be painful, cost more money and more lost work time. I cant really do anything now because if I raise a stink or ask for it, will delay my surgery (ie insurance re-approvals etc..)

thx

I had my gallbladder removed when I was sleeved 10/29. I can't tell if my issues are due to sleeve or no longer having a gallbladder. But I'm sick every time I eat no matter how small and also have become lactose intolerant

I was lactose intolerant right after surgery, too. I used Lactaid and soy milk (almond milk has almost no protein). The intolerance kind of went away after about 3-4 months and have I been back on regular dairy ever since.

My surgeon explained that food intolerances often develop after VSG because the food we eat enters the intestines a little less broken down than if we had full size stomachs. The molecules are different and the intestines sometimes don't deal with the change very well.

Mine was not removed. I have been out 1 yr and 1mos and have not had any gall bladder issues. Didn't have any prior to surgery either.

I would like to add, probably not a good idea to remove unless you have to. There are side effects of dealing with not having your gall bladder that are not very pleasant so you would probably want to avoid. My neice had to have hers removed (nothing to do with VSG) and food goes right through her now....mucho bathroom breaks...trying not to be too descriptive here

Mine was not removed. I have been out 1 yr and 1mos and have not had any gall bladder issues. Didn't have any prior to surgery either.

I would like to add, probably not a good idea to remove unless you have to. There are side effects of dealing with not having your gall bladder that are not very pleasant so you would probably want to avoid. My neice had to have hers removed (nothing to do with VSG) and food goes right through her now....mucho bathroom breaks...trying not to be too descriptive here

I've also got an aunt and a cousin that have had a hard time since having their gall bladders removed. Thus my reluctance to do so, despite having two incredibly painful attacks.