Is it a good idea to have your gallbladder removed during the lapband surgery in order to prevent gallstones?

Frankly, I didn't even know it was an option at the time. I had galbladder surgery last month (9 months out). I had no pre symptoms or troubles. I didn't even fully know what a galbladder did. I thought it was something that old people got when they had a bad diet..... TOTAL ignorance on my part. I had a bad attack, had it out that night, and two days later had to have a second procedure to get stones out that were stuck in my bile ducts. Two surgeries in three days! It wasn't pleasant at all. I had jaundice and was all yellow and gross. But I don't think I would remove an organ that was functioning properly just as a preventive measure. But I do wish I was better informed that this was a possible complication......

If I thought it was an option, I would definitely have done it. I didn't even think to ask. I have witnessed people having an attack and it seems to be excruciating.

I would suggest you research the relationship between gallbladder complications and weight loss so that you can make an informed decision. I'm not exactly sure what the relationship is but I know that gallbladder complications almost always follow rapid or large amounts of weight loss. If memory serves me correctly my aunt who had gastric bypass several years ago said that the removal of her gallbladder was automatically a part of the procedure. At any rate, it let's you know there's a definite correlation. I was able to lose 70 pounds on my own a few years ago and sure enough, "BAM" out of nowhere I started having gallblladder attacks. It is excrutiatingly painful. I think I'd rather have a baby. I had to have an emergency gallbladder removal. I was one of the lucky ones, I didn't have any stones lodged in my common bile duct. That would have been a whole other additional surgical procedure. Check the web for info. and stats and also consult with your surgeon. If your surgeon is offering to do it at the same time as your band, it may not be a bad idea. Let us know what you find out and what you decide.

i got my gallbladder out july 30, 2008... not at the time of band surgery.. wasnt made as an option for me...

but why mess with something that is working fine.. i sa just let your gallbladder be and stay where its at..:rolleyes2:

Well, I now have 4 scars from lap band and four scars from gallbladder surgery, and one from my hysterchtomy. I told my husband that now he can play "connect the dots" on my tummy!!

Well, I now have 4 scars from lap band and four scars from gallbladder surgery, and one from my hysterchtomy. I told my husband that now he can play "connect the dots" on my tummy!!

i have 5 from band and 4 from gallbladder.. luckily my surgeon used one of my previous scars.. so i have 8 scars.. my mom calls me a human strainer!!!:redface: