Gall Bladder Surgery & WLS Question - Please Help

I have gall stones, and it has been suggested that I have my gall bladder removed. Is this something that can be done at the same time as WLS? If so, does it make recovery more difficult? One surgery is better than two right? Please let me know if you have had this done and what it was like.

I had my gallbladder removed prior to WLS, but have a couple of people in my support group that had theirs removed at the time of their WLS. So, yes, it is something that can be done at the same time. The tenderness you would feel after it's removed would be masked by that of the WLS so you most likely wouldn't even notice it. And it's also not uncommon for WLS to have their gallbladders removed following WLS. So it is probably best to go ahead and have it removed now to avoid unnecessary pain (especially since you already have gallstones) and an additional surgery later down the road. Good luck to you! ~ Monica

Hi, This is Jo Ann from Dr. J's boards (jrodgers) just wanted to let you know that I had my gall bladder removed before I had surgery. Dr. J didn't want it do it together so I had mine removed in April and had my first WLS in July. The gallbladder surgery was not bad at all. I really didn't have much pain with that one. I was in and out the same day. But you definitley want to get it done before you have an attack!! I agree with Monica that having it done at the same time would probably mask the pain. I don't know anyone that has had it done at the same time, either before or after. If you still need some help with the insurance thingy just let me know!! Good luck, Jo Ann

My GB was fine at the time of my surgery so my surgeon didn't take it out - why would he if it's okay...right don't mess with what's good! LOL...However, 7 1/2 months later I started having a few problems and it was the GB going bad...that's not to say that it happens to everyone...some people still have their GB after WLS...it depends on the person, and the cir****tances. (I will tell you the GB surgery was more painful than the RNY due to the fact that they filled my abdominal area with air to get to the GB..so it was NOT fun at all.) If you are having problems then discuss it with the surgeon he will suggest the best course of action of you and your health. Best of luck to you!!

Yes it can be taken care of at time of gastric bypass surgery. I had mine out 3 months after my bypass. I would of rather had one surgery, but my gallbladder was ok at time of surgery. blessings, Tami

Lehigh, I had my first gall bladded attack in Sept '04 while I was waiting for insurance approval for my gastric bypass. Once they had the pain under control and decided I didn't need an emergency removal, I asked the surgeon if I could wait and have the gall bladder removed at the same time as my RNY. The surgeons decided I could wait "until you have your gastric bypass or have another gall bladder attack, whichever comes first". Needless to say, I was very careful about what I ate until I had my RNY in Jan. '05. I had Lap RNY and the surgeon just added 2 extra "holes" to remove the gall bladder. I don't think it made my recovery any more difficult. Since I don't do so well with anesthia, I was glad to only have to "go under" once instead of twice. Another positive, since it was removed laprascopically, my plastic surgeon will have less scar tissue to deal with when I have my LBL next week! Vickie J.

I had a few small stones that started to give me pain just weeks before my surgery. My surgeon opted to remove it during my lap RNY. No extra charge, no extra surgery. One extra hole. No gallbladder meds. Can't beat that. Cc

I will be having my gall bladder removed when I have my surgery July 13. Dr. Anthone routinely removes the gall bladder at the time of surgery because according to one of his published papers "there is such a high incident of gall stone formation after this type of procedure." He says that one if one has pain and the gall bladder is removed they immediately can rule out one source of the problem and because so many people do develop gall stones due to the rapid weight loss it just makes sense to go ahead and do it with the WLS and not put the patient through the added risk of another surgery. Red

Hi Lehigh, I had my GB removed during my surgery and had no problems aftewards. If they can do it at the same time, it would be better than expose your body to infection by having them going in twice to do surgery. Good luck, Simone