Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Has anyone here had VSG surgery after they have previously had their gallbladders removed?



Recommended Posts

Hello all! I'm researching getting the VSG surgery but I don't have my gallbladder. I had it removed about 4 years ago. While watching some YouTube videos I noticed a few people that were having complications simply because they no longer had their gallbladders. If I remember correctly, it was something about bile getting into their sleeves I think. It was giving them complications and some were told their only option was to have a revision to Gastric Bypass. Just wondering if those were just isolated events or rare events even.

Has anyone who has had the VSG surgery after having their gallbladders removed either have/had complications as a result of that or haven't had any complications at all due to that?

Thanks so much!

mallymaven

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my gall bladder removed in 2009 after suffering horrid attacks due to large stones. I was sleeved in November of 2015. I have had zero issues. I never have had to take a PPI/acid reducer, not even once. I actually, to be honest, seem to be digesting my food better. I had some pretty regular diarrhea after my gall bladder got removed and was really worried about how bad it would be after the sleeve. I assume it's because my diet is so much better now, but I am completely regularly. I also haven't had any IBS episodes.

For me, this was an excellent choice. Good luck in your journey. Don't let the possible risks outweigh your potential health benefits.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I could not schedule my sleeve surgery until my gallbladder was removed, and then I had it a few weeks later.

So glad I did the GB first - very very common and don't have any worries about it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my gallbladder out in 1993 (emergency open chole). Ive never heard of this tidbit of information, saying that sleeves and post op gallbladder do not mix. Interesting.

1 thing I dont recommend getting the sleeve for is if u already have reflux. Then bile truly goes into ur stomach. My dr thought my reflux was a symptom of my slipped band. Not so. BAnd came out and reflux was much worse. Every single nite I'd wake up choking on bile. Just recently I got an adjustable bed and Ive not had relux once. SOooooo happy with my new bed!

Anyway, No, Ive not had any problems with my gallbladder surgery

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i too had my Gallbladder removed in 2014 and meet for my referral to surgeon tomorrow. I am hoping all goes well. I suffer from Gerd bad. I too have IBS but again, I will take some of these issues and deal with them. I hear to have bypass if you suffer Gerd; but really I don't know I want the sleeve preferrably. Hope the surgeon will answer my questions about that.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello all! I'm researching getting the VSG surgery but I don't have my gallbladder. I had it removed about 4 years ago. While watching some YouTube videos I noticed a few people that were having complications simply because they no longer had their gallbladders. If I remember correctly, it was something about bile getting into their sleeves I think. It was giving them complications and some were told their only option was to have a revision to Gastric Bypass. Just wondering if those were just isolated events or rare events even.

Has anyone who has had the VSG surgery after having their gallbladders removed either have/had complications as a result of that or haven't had any complications at all due to that?

Thanks so much!

mallymaven

Yes had my gallbladder out a little less than a year before my sleeve surgery and had no complications at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine removed in 96'. Most wls patients have them removed because being obese/rapid weight loss kills them.

I haven't had any issues.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yep same. Mine was out about 6 months before. My surgeon kind of acted like it was a good thing. "one less thing to worry about" he said.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine out 12 years ago. No issues for me at all!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine removed 5 years ago and just got sleeved on 1/13. When my surgeon found out that I had it removed already he was happy about it, same with the nurses. I have literally never heard of these complications involving the lack of a gallbladder and the sleeve. If anything I've heard that it's preferable to have it already removed, otherwise you're going to have to do it anyways.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine removed in 2010 and had my sleeve done in 2014. No issues! Sometimes I'll get some reflux if I eat certain foods but I just avoid those foods and try to never eat within two hours of going to sleep.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine out 4 years ago and had my sleeve surgery 2 weeks ago. I had severe Gerd and found out during sleeve surgery that i had a hyatal hernia. My surgeon fixed my hernia and I've not had issues, I'm actually able to stop taking one of my reflux medications. I feel better than I have in a long time.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My gallbladder came out about a year before my sleeve. No problems! (I did kid my surgeon and warn him not to add one back in!)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my gallbladder out in 2000 and my sleeve in 2015. Absolutely NO PROBLEMS! ! I have been able to tolerate all foods. I do follow the guidelines and never advanced my diet without my doctor's permission. Omeprazole 1 everyday sprinkled on pudding. This is not for reflux my doctor just gives it for the first year to help sleeve.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×