Gallstones after 6 months of VSG - Should I take a second opinion or just get my gallbladder removed?

[up4challenge 54]

I was sleeved during December last year and it is going to be six months tomorrow. I've been experiencing sharp pain over my belly button (especially in and around the area where the incision was made during the surgery). At times I find it hard to inhale and exhale too.

The pain comes and goes every time I sit down or get up or try to walk faster. I cannot bend to lift anything. I have been going through every little detail in my mind, but cannot remember lifting anything heavy. I do moderate exercises and use the elliptical for 10-15 mins everyday (which I haven't this whole week). The pain over the belly button started about 2 days ago and last night was hell. I was unable to sleep straight or turn on either side.

Finally, met my doc and he asked me to get an abdominal scan done. Found out that the stitch put in my belly button had not dissolved and was weeping and there was 1ml pus collection near the umbilicus area. Apart from that, I also found out that I have many gallstones that are between 3 and 7mm. When I showed the report to my doctor, he told me that I need an operation, where my gallbladder will be removed.

Should I just go for it and get the gall bladder removed or go in for a second opinion. Is it normal to have gallstones after 6 months of VSG? Should I be worried?

Has anyone had a similar experience? If yes, please share your thoughts and experience.

[MSinger 348]

What are they going to do about the Fluid collection? Are you on antibiotics? That would probably need to be resolved first. As far a second opinion on the gallbladder it wouldn't hurt if you are not sure about going through surgery. There's a risk of stones migrating out of the gallbladder and causing complications, but you need to discuss this with a surgeon and come to your own conclusion.

[LittleLizzieLilliput 919]

Well, I almost died from my gallbladder so I'd go with get it out now. I mean, you can get a second opinion of course. Personally, I was throwing up every few hours and about 3 time each night. It was killing my pancreas and I am now a full blown diabetic because I threw a gall stone, got stuck in the duct, backed up the pancreas and it started digesting itself as well as no producing any insulin. I found out about all of this when I woke up in ICU. My gallbladder is actually the reason I got the VGS. My brothers gallbladder burst while he was at work and almost died.

I don't want to scare you but if they have picture evidence of gallstones I'm not sure what second opinion you need.

Edited June 16, 2017 by LittleLizzieLilliput

[rainyann 118]

Take the gall bladder out... it needs to eventually since you already have gall stones.... however, the other issue also need to be fixed. I wouldn't bother with a second opinion about the gall bladder

[queendeborahbee 119]

It should have been out yesterday, what are you waiting for....

[jess9395 5,448]

Very common to get gallstones after rapid weight loss. And there is no cure, they don't go away. Eventually it has to come out or, as has been said, you can die.

[ec613 6]

I had several gallstones before. I told my doctor and he took it out at the same time of surgery. He said it was very common

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[painter88 101]

I started squeezing fresh lemon juice and my gallstone issue went away. Try that first.

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[jess9395 5,448]

Be careful. Try the lemon juice only with medical supervision because gallstones are dangerous.

[travelergirl 142]

Take it out. If a stone gets out the pain is huge! Not something to mess with.

It is very common. My mother had hers removed after a few months on an Optifast diet in the 80s. My father had his removed about 10 years ago not connected to weight loss. My sister was in pain for years before they figured it out. She had hers out about 5 years ago.

Based on family history I had a scan and my gallbladder was clear. So, I'm on meds for 6 months to prevent them during this rapid loss phase.

High fat foods can trigger the attacks/pain.

Good luck...let us know how it goes.

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[SIPS in Seattle 344]

I had my gallbladder out a year after banding (am currently waiting on revision) at the time I was unaware it was my gallbladder and thought I was having a heart attack.

Cut to me sitting in my living room after calling 911 with all the EMTs and fire department personnel with my shirt pulled up over my head straight up free flowing no bra and like 12 guys just staring as one is putting on the stickies to check my heart.... looking back I can laugh now but then I thought I was dying.

Get it removed before it really becomes an emergency.

[up4challenge 54]

Thank you all for posting your replies. I really appreciate the same .

I visited my doctor 2 days ago for getting the umbilicus area cleaned and dressed. As of now the pus oozing out has reduced to 1-2 drops a day. He mentioned that if it heals well, then we can do the gallbladder surgery.

Fingers crossed.

I have to visit him on Thursday, get a blood test and abdominal scan done and then he will take a call if I can get it done on Friday.

I will keep you guys posted.

[Sullie06 1,013]

I had my VSG in December and will be getting my GallBladder out in the fall. I don't have any stones but after experiencing pain I had a HIDA scan and my gallbladder is not functioning properly. My doctor did say it's not an urgent thing so I'm planning to have it removed in September as that's a better time at work.

[jess9395 5,448]

I had my gallbladder out a year after banding (am currently waiting on revision) at the time I was unaware it was my gallbladder and thought I was having a heart attack.

Cut to me sitting in my living room after calling 911 with all the EMTs and fire department personnel with my shirt pulled up over my head straight up free flowing no bra and like 12 guys just staring as one is putting on the stickies to check my heart.... looking back I can laugh now but then I thought I was dying.

Get it removed before it really becomes an emergency.

If it makes you feel any better that's not uncommon. My sister is a paramedic with an ambulance company and has lost count of the number of gallbladder attacks she's been called to the scene of.

She's so good at diagnosing them she's diagnosed my sister in law and two family friends over the phone!

[up4challenge 54]

Hi All,

Thank you all for you best wishes. I am back home since June 24, 2017 and finally online today. I got the gall bladder removed on June 22, 2017 and was released from the hospital on the 24th. The operation went smoothly. Along with the operation the surgeon has removed the puss formed in the umbilicus area.

I wouldn't say there is no pain, but the pain is certainly lesser compared to the VSG surgery. The doctor has not put me on any specific diet, but has asked me to continue my regular medicines that were prescribed to me after the VSG along with a mild pain killer for 3 days. I did have a little difficulty getting up and sitting down the first and second day after the surgery, but from the 3rd day onwards I feel a lot better.

The surgeon did find a few stones, but the most important one was found in the neck of the bile duct and he did mention that getting the surgery done at the right time was the best decision taken by me.

I thank you all for the experiences / thoughts / suggestions that you've graciously shared with me.