Good evening to all. My wife asked a question for which I did not know the answer. I know that the gall bladder can be removed during the procedure, but must it be removed? The reason I asked...my wife found info on my insurance's website that says they require gall bladder removal at the time of Lap Band surgery. What is the benefit (if any) to it's removal and is this common or required?

Thank you in advance for your insights. Take care.

Bud In Indy

I don't think I've heard of it being required before, but I have heard of it being removed at the same time if there are Gallstones present.

Developing problems with the Gallbladder isn't rare after weightloss, from a band or whatever. So maybe the insurance co is figuring it's cheaper to just pay for the one surgery, then the possibility of another later?