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

6 months out and now having gallbladder removed!



Recommended Posts

I too would like to know if there is a way to prevent gallbladder issues postop. I know kidney stones are a result of not enough water/fluids but not sure about the gall...

My doctor has his patients take Actigall for 9 mths post op to help prevent gallbladder issues


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in the hospital now waiting for my coumadin levels to go down so that I can have my gallbladder removed. I am in soooo much pain.[emoji27][emoji20]

Sent from my LG-K430 using BariatricPal mobile app



The coumadin levels took too long to go down so the doctors put a drainage in and once the inflammation and infection is gone they will operate. They told me in 6 weeks.

Sent from my LG-K430 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh man, that sucks :(

I had the opportunity to get a pharmacist to do some research for me. He looked up studies pertaining to frequency of gallbladder issues post bariatric surgery. He had trouble finding a lot of research, but did find 3 studies on sleeved patients. 28%, 37%, and 48% of patients had trouble with their gallbladders postop.

That is huge! 1 in 3 patients! Now not all of those patients needed removals, some just developed stones or such.

Actigall is helpful and should be taken by every patient for at least 6 months.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a little over 8 months post surgery, and about 2 days ago I got this pain on the right side of my abdomen, which went away in less than an hour. But it came back yesterday and lasted about 2-3 hours. I took some acetaminophen and that may have been why the pain went away, and then I was fine until this evening when it started again. Does this sound like a gallbladder thing? It's the first time I've ever felt this sort of pain so I don't really know what's happening.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a little over 8 months post surgery, and about 2 days ago I got this pain on the right side of my abdomen, which went away in less than an hour. But it came back yesterday and lasted about 2-3 hours. I took some acetaminophen and that may have been why the pain went away, and then I was fine until this evening when it started again. Does this sound like a gallbladder thing? It's the first time I've ever felt this sort of pain so I don't really know what's happening.


I got my gallbladder out in 2009, totally unrelated to weight as I was super healthy then. Anyway, the pain is right under your ribs kind of like heartburn. The pain can radiate but I wanted to reach under my ribs and squeeze my organs to make the pain better. Weird, I know but the pain was that bad and my brain just told me that would be the solution. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'd pace my driveway crying in pain if I wasn't busy puking. Lower right pain could be appendicitis, gas, Constipation, or if you're female, (sorry I didn't notice if you said) ovarian cysts.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, KateBruin said:


I got my gallbladder out in 2009, totally unrelated to weight as I was super healthy then. Anyway, the pain is right under your ribs kind of like heartburn. The pain can radiate but I wanted to reach under my ribs and squeeze my organs to make the pain better. Weird, I know but the pain was that bad and my brain just told me that would be the solution. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'd pace my driveway crying in pain if I wasn't busy puking. Lower right pain could be appendicitis, gas, Constipation, or if you're female, (sorry I didn't notice if you said) ovarian cysts.

I actually do find myself clutching at the area where the pain is, as though it'll help at all. I haven't had any nausea or anything, just the pain really. It'd be nice if it was just gas, but the gas relief chews don't seem to help. I've called my doctor just in case. It's been 3 nights in a row and I just need to know what's happening in there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon put me on Ursodiol-300mg 2x/day. It's a medication you take for a year after surgery to prevent gallstones and/or gallbladder sludge. I'm hoping it will work as she says.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

On 6/6/2017 at 7:19 AM, KateBruin said:


I got my gallbladder out in 2009, totally unrelated to weight as I was super healthy then. Anyway, the pain is right under your ribs kind of like heartburn. The pain can radiate but I wanted to reach under my ribs and squeeze my organs to make the pain better. Weird, I know but the pain was that bad and my brain just told me that would be the solution. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'd pace my driveway crying in pain if I wasn't busy puking. Lower right pain could be appendicitis, gas, Constipation, or if you're female, (sorry I didn't notice if you said) ovarian cysts.

This was my experience as well. I had my gallbladder removed in 2007, some 9 years before my sleeve surgery. I lost 100 pounds on my own. I would get severe pain in my stomach area above the belly button and it would last for hours. I went to the hospital on four separate occasions and they told me it was indigestion. Finally on the 5th time, I was yellow from head to toe, lost my appetite, and would vomit anything I would try to eat or drink. It was at this point they finally diagnosed the gallbladder.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just got word that mine has to come out. No stones were present on ultrasound so my surgeon sent me for a HIDA scan and my ejection fraction was 85% which is out of the normal range. My surgeon also stated that ultrasound is only about 85% accurate so there could be stones no present on ultrasound.

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

    • 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.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×