I have pretty bad problems from gallbladder stones. In fact, as i type this, i am just recovering from a serious attack. I have them about 3-4 times a month now, and my ultrasound showed gallstones. They suggested surgery if i have more attacks.
The surgeon for WLS that i am considering will take out the gallbladder at the same time as the bypass (DS).
Has anyone had this during their WLS? are there any major complications? How does the loss of a gallbladder affect you?
There are many surgeons who routinely remove the gall bladder during WLS procedures, even if it is healthy. One of the primary reasons for doing so is that rapid weight loss really throws the body for a loop and often causes gall stones in patients who never had gall bladder problem before. Surgeons who don't remove the gall bladder often have patients on medication to prevent gall stones for the first 6 months post-op.
Also, let's talk about the function of the gall bladder. It's essentially a storehouse of extra bile, which it secretes to help your body process large quantities of consumed dietary fat. The idea is that, post-WLS, you won't be consuming large amounts of fat at a time, right? So you shouldn't even NEED your gall bladder. If you have a malabsorptive procedure, you may eat more fat, but you won't absorb it all, so, again, you shouldn't need that extra bile.
I've never heard of anyone having a problem with having their gall bladder removed at time of WLS. Gall bladder removal is such a relatively minor and routine procedure that it shouldn't make much difference in your healing time or anything like that.
thanks guys. to be honest, i'm not sure if i'm looking forward more to the DS WLS or to getting the gallbladder removed. the pain is unbelievable.
i've read up a bit about gallbladder removal and the results seem mixed. some people say it's worse, others say it's a dream come true. still trying to figure out why it's worse for some folks.
thanks guys. to be honest, i'm not sure if i'm looking forward more to the DS WLS or to getting the gallbladder removed. the pain is unbelievable.
i've read up a bit about gallbladder removal and the results seem mixed. some people say it's worse, others say it's a dream come true. still trying to figure out why it's worse for some folks.
If you're having the DS, then you ESPECIALLY don't need your gall bladder since you will malabsorb approximately 80% of the fat you eat. Like jiffy mentioned, your body will still produce bile; the gall bladder just stores extra to help digest large amounts of fat consumed at once, but the liver actually produces enough for most meals on its own. With absorbing only about 20% of the fat you eat, you should never need that extra boost of bile from the gall bladder unless you're basically just eating Crisco straight from the can
I wish they would've taken my gb out during WLS. I had to have it done at 3 years out and needed about 6 weeks for my body to readjust. (I'm also one of the lucky people who still seem to get stones after it was removed )
I, too, have never heard of a problem removing the gb during WLS. I'd go for it - if offered.
If you're having the DS, then you ESPECIALLY don't need your gall bladder since you will malabsorb approximately 80% of the fat you eat. Like jiffy mentioned, your body will still produce bile; the gall bladder just stores extra to help digest large amounts of fat consumed at once, but the liver actually produces enough for most meals on its own. With absorbing only about 20% of the fat you eat, you should never need that extra boost of bile from the gall bladder unless you're basically just eating Crisco straight from the can
Lol, crisco. Ew. I'll try to avoid that.
Yeah the only major problems that i have read about with gallbladder removal is the increased risk for colon cancer in the right side due to the constant bile drip. But i havent' seen anything related to DS patients and colon cancer and so right now the benefits far, far exceed the risks.
My doctor (hopefully, paperwork still isn't done yet) removes the gallbladder always, and often removes the appendix if it's easily removed.
I was having constant attacks. Haven't had WLS yet but I'm very overweight so they didn't want to take my gallbladder out yet. The Gastro Dr at the hospital did a procedure called ECRP where they remove the stones he also made the opening on the bile duct larger. As soon as I woke up from the procedure I felt better. I still have to avoid fat especially Saturated but for the mean time knock on wood I have been ok. So maybe see a gastro to see what you options are while you await WLS. I'll tell you though I had a baby in March 2009 by c-section and had a horrible time and lots of complications including a huge hernia that's very painful. But I'll tell you no pain I've had was as bad as those gallbladder attacks! So I feel for you.
i don't plan on having WLS, but i have had my gallbladder removed. i wanted to avoid this surgery, as if we were born with the organ, it can't be totally unnecesaary, right?
first the attacks came after a particularly heavy meal. after some time, it got to the point where whatever i ate would bring on an attack.
finally, after months of attacks, i scheduled surgery and got it removed. best thing i ever did. no more attacks!
but people do recover differently. for some, after eating a heavy/greasy meal, they have to run to bathroom 30minutes later. i personally do not have that problem. the only real affect i've noticed is that i don't seem to digest alcohol the same. before, i would drink like a fish and not get sick. now, if i go a little overboard, i get sick.
also, if your attacks are getting more and more frequent, i wouldn't wait too long to have it removed. if they have to perform emergency surgery, it will leave a big scar (vs pre-scheduled surgery done lapriscopically) and your gallbladder could rupture...talk to your doc about it.
good luck
I don't plan on having wls either but saw the topic.
I agree that you shouldn't wait too much longer to have it out. I guess you have to judge how bad the pain is and if you can suffer through it. I know myself i had a gallbladder attack that lasted 6 hours and it only stopped because I went to the er and was given some kind of painkiller combo. That is when I discovered that I had gallstones. I then waited 3 months to have my surgery and I wish I wouldn't have waited so long. I didn't realize how bad I really felt. It got to the point where i would have daily attacks. I was so afraid of having another big attack that I survived on bread and pretzels until surgery time. Now I am fine and have no problems, but I don't eat anything greasy anymore.
So please don't wait as long as I did if your attacks are that painful.
*hugs*
Thanks guys. i am not sure if i should just get the surgery done now or wait til i have the WLS. i'm at the point where every time i eat, i just stay really still and quiet, hoping i didn't wake the monster. =/ The type of food no longer matters, it seems. Now even simple foods cause it to get angry.
I found that walking (slowly) and drinking hot (non-black) tea really helps but doesn't prevent a major episode.
Anyway i really appreciate you guys' comments. I think i will look into having it removed now if my WLS is scheduled beyond July maybe... i'd hate for the gall bladder to rupture and cause a delay in my WLS though, so maybe i will just have it removed. Blah.. i'm over here waffling now. =P
the surgery itself is so common...you leave the hospital the same day, after a few hours of recovery, and rest at home for a few days.
i took a week off of work to be on the safe side, but after 3 days, i felt alright, i was able to walk around with minimal discomfort. the first couple of days are just really uncomfortable. again, if you notice your attacks coming on more frequently, talk to your doc asap, and don't hesitate to go to the er.
i really feel for you, i remember that pain...ugh. i'm usually pretty tolerant of pain, but the attacks would kill me. i would stay in a fetal position most of the time, it helped ease the pain (very little, but i'll take what i can get).
good luck hun
I have been suffering like crazy from intense pains lately. Thought it was my ulcer (got one of those 6 months out) but now the GI doc thinks it might be a gall bladder attack. I am having a battery of tests done this week.
I'm 14 months out since my surgery.
I did a bit of research online and discovered that rapid weight loss can bring on gall bladder attacks. Before my WLS my gall bladder was checked. The surgeons told me that if my gall bladder was inflamed that they'd take it out while I was on the operating table. Nothing was wrong with it at the time.
I know a lot of people who had their gall bladders removed at the time of WLS. That's probably the best time to do it. Why put yourself through 2 surgeries?
Gallbladder stones and gastric bypass surgery
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