gallbladder problems

Hi all, I just had my six month post-op visit today and was a bit shocked when my surgeon recommended having my gallbladder removed. My ultrasound shows 'sludge' in my gallbladder which, according to him, always leads to stones. I know this is not uncommon in GB patients, so I was hoping to hear from folks who have had theirs removed...mainly, what happens next? I've done some internet research on the function of the gallbladder and I guess my concern is what happens to the liver bile if the gallbladder is no longer there to filter? Also, does this affect your small bowel in any way? I've had alot of gastrointestinal illnesses in the past 4 years, including a temporary colostomy and an abcess on my small intestines, so I'm concerned, to say the least. Plus, I don't know if I'm a candidate to have it removed laprorascopically because I've had 5 other abdominal surgeries. The good news in all of this is that we're hoping this will put an end to my digestion problems...I'm still on puree after 6 months because I almost constantly and they've ruled out stricture. Ugghhh!!! ~Toni~

Goodness, Toni. Bless your heart. I currently have gallstones. I found out that I had them less than a week out from WLS. I went to the ER because I had a kidney stone attack. The CT Scan revealed gallstones as well. I was very upset. My doctor said that he would check my gallbladder during WLS for stones and take it out if any were detected. He did not do his job real well. He told me that I could wait and have my gallbladder removed since I was not having any attacks. I cannot answer any of your questions as I have not had mine removed yet. LOL, Sherry 276/197/130-140

Toni, I had the open RNY and my surgeon takes out gall bladders while he is in, since it is very common to develop gall bladder problems after weight loss surgery. I had gall bladder problems before surgery, but only one real attack that lasted for about 5 hours. But, I had some other problems that I have since found out were gall bladder related (like diarrhea shortly after eating on a regular basis). Since surgery I have had no ill effects from having the gall bladder out. Although, my stool is sometimes yellowish (kind of like a baby has) and I am wondering if that is because of bile. But no problems. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.... Can you put it off and get a tummy tuck at the same time? Just a thought. Eileen 337/239/160ish

HI Toni I recently had my gallbladder and appendix removed. It was done on february 15th..just a few short weeks ago..I had taken actigall per my surgeon's request to try to prevent gallbladder issues..however, i developed sludge and ended up waiting 3 months later to have anything done about it. While waiting to get to the point to where my life cir****tances allowed me to have it removed, i had 3 gallbladder attacks, with the last one being worse than the ones before. My gallbladder surgeon opted to remove my appendix too, and told me that my gallbladder was full of sludge and gallstones and was completely unfunctional..After i came home that same day from surgery, i had problems with nausea and just felt icky, so i called the surgeon and he put me on nexium for a few days, saying that 10% of patients develop "leaky bile" and it happened to me. So the nexium took care of it.. I would talk to the surgeon and get the "low down" on the intestinal issues. All in all, the quicker you have it taken care of the quicker you will feel better. hope this helps JudyB

Wow... not good. As far as sludge always leading to stones... BS. I had sludge in my gallbladder in 2000 or 2001 and I've yet to have a stone and my pre-op ultrasound showed a clear gallbladder. But, as you're obviously still having major issues, the gallbladder may obviously be the culprit. I know lots of folks that have had theirs removed and they all seem to be getting along just fine. Hope everything works out great for you. Dawn 258/144/135