Gotta have another surgery

Well it's official. I will be having my gall bladder removed on December 13th. I can't have it done Laproscopic because I had open RNY and a G-Tube and Dr. B says it would be too dangerous for them to go in there and blow up my stomach so he will open me up. I'm not thrilled about it but I am ok with it. Anyone know what the normal recovery time is for open GB surgery. He got out so fast I couldn't ask him.

Opens for GB is so rare, but I had one years and years ago. It was my first surgery ever and I remember not being allowed to drive for 4 weeks. I did have a small complication...when they opened me up they couldn't find the stones. I had an attack days before and apparently it was so bad I forced them all into my system. Result was that they had to open me up a little bit more and shoot dye into my system. They got them all, but I did stay off work for six weeks. You probably won't be off any longer than you were for your open RNY. I went back to work after mine in two weeks. So I guess it all depends on you and your resiliency...just remember to keep up your protein so you heal faster.

Did you have stones previous to the RNY? If so, why didn't they do the 2-for-1 deal and take your gallbladder then? I had my gallbladder out as a *precaution to stones (never had any)... so I don't have to deal with it now. I wish you speedy healing! Beth 40 lbs to goal!

I wondered the same thing. They could have taken it out when they had me open the first time. My GB was clear before surgery. I just hate the thought of staying in the hospital again.

Well, it is like the *most common side effect... Gallstones, I mean.. I had kidney stones a few weeks ago... Mine was clear, and for some reason, it was covered by insurance, perhaps as a preventative, I dunno... Still haven't seen a bill! Beth The countdown begins...40...

My insurance wouldn't pay to have my GB removed if it was healthy. So my surgeon offered me 2 options - keep it and take actigall, or pay $900 to get it removed. I picked the actigall. Huggles to you, ~Lara

My surgeon didn't give me an option, told me I'd have to take actigall, which is fine, but I have been having pain in the right side, so when I go for my check up next week (6 months - a month late) I'll ask them to check it. If I have stones I want to get it out before it really starts hurting bad. Good luck. I'll say some prayers for your speedy recovery. Dianne

Sorry to read you are going under the knife for a second time. I'll be sending you prayers and positive energy that it all goes well. ~Lara

My surgeon refused to take MY healthy gall bladder....I wanted it removed, just-in-case....he was strongly against taking any healthy organ, no matter how much I pleaded. So, I still have mine and hopefully it won't give me any problems....BTW, I couldn't take actigall....gave me a terrible upset stomach and just a general unwell feeling. RAE

Hi Donna. I had an open RNY (9/10 of stomach removed due to cancer). My doctor thought it wise to remove my gall bladder at the time of my surgery. Good thing too because they discovered I had gall stones when they removed my gall bladder! I went back to work part-time after about 2 months. I probably could have gone back sooner had I not been so run down prior to surgery. You are young and pretty healthy, so I bet you are back to work in 4 to 6 weeks. God bless. I'll be praying for you. Peg