Bad gallbladder update on St Francis

Hi Athina. My surgeon didn't put me on anything for my GB after surgery. He never even mentioned that this drug was out there. As for how long, I think my GB was unhappy the day after surgery. Everything coming out was yellow. (sorry for the graphics) I didn't think much of it at first but tests 2 months post-op showed my liver enzymes were high. Then at 5 months out they did a sonogram and it showed that my GB was chronically inflamed and had some stones in it. That's when they removed it. I don't know if 5 months is enough time to form stones or not but it seems fast to me. He also said that stones are not always the cause. I guess that sometimes the GB just malfunctions after RNY. This would fit because 2 months after surgery my liver enzymes were high. That is just to soon for stones. But if your doc has a med that he thinks will help preserve your GB then I'd definitely take it. Getting it removed is a snap but is still more surgery and I wonder if it is worth leaving it in. Chances of it going bad are 70%.

Hi Mark and all friends! This is my first post to your site. I was wondering if the gallbladder statistics you mentioned pertain to LapBand surgery too, or just the bypass. I am scheduled for Lap Band on May 16 and am very excited (if that is possible for surgery)! I think I probably have GB problems now but not sure. Your posts are very helpful. Thanks! Susan

I don't believe that the gallbladder issue has anything to do directly with RNY, rather it's rapid weight loss. It's seen most often with rny patients because they tend to lose weight faster than lap band patients. In the Duodenal Switch the gall bladder is removed as part of surgery so that problem is not there even though they lose weight quickly too. 70% of rny patients will need their gb removed. I don't have stats for Lap Band. Chances are if you gb is already iffy then it will need to come out.