info on lap band results

In process of having lap band surgery, unfortunately came down with the flu.  When referring dr gives ok for surgery, first thing is I need my gall bladder removed before lap band.  Has anyone had their gall bladder removed first? 

I think you may need to edit this post to use a different topic, like "Gall bladder removal before band surgery".

I still have my gall bladder, so I'm no expert, but I'm curious: who is it that says you have to have your gall bladder removed? Your referring doc? Your surgeon? If you've been having gall bladder problems, often the bariatric surgeon can remove the gall bladder at the same time as the band placement. If someone is suggesting that you have your gall bladder removed to prevent problems as you lose weight, I'd get a 2nd opinion. While fast, massive weight loss can trigger gall bladder disease in some people, it isn't a foregone conclusion. I don't think my insurance would have approved "preventive" gall bladder removal.

Jean

It was the surgeon's office that said I needed my gall bladder out.  I had lab work done at the hospital & the test showed I had gall stones.  If I was going with gastric bypass, they would do both (gastric bypass & gall bladder) at the same time. 
Barb

Barb,

A lab test showed you have gall stones? When my doc thought I might have gall stones, he ordered an ultrasound exam, not lab tests. Have you been having any pain or other symptoms of gall bladder disease?

I think you need to ask the surgeon why he/she can't do the band placement and gall bladder removal at the same time. Being anesthetized twice increases your risk for complications. There's no more risk of cross-contamination doing band + gall bladder than there is with bypass + gall bladder. If the surgeon normally places the port in a place that he considers too close to the gall bladder, it's not a big deal to place the port elsewhere. And from a financial point of view, two surgeries increases the expense enormously....pre-op tests, hospital or surgery center services, surgeon's and anesthesiologist fees, etc. etc. If your insurance company is OK with that, fine. But I wouldn't be OK with that. Every unnecessary test or procedure I have adds to this country's health insurance burden and increases my risk of complications. And if you have to have the gall bladder removed first, that will delay your band surgery, by maybe 6-8 weeks. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Just my opinion...

Jean

When I said lab test, I should have included that I had a RUQ ultrasound w/gallbladder.  I will also be scheduled to have a IVC filter to block blood clots going to lungs & heart.   In 2008, I had a total knee replacement, 3 wks later I had a blood clot in both lungs & heart.   I also had C-diff which was brought on by taking too many antibiotics.  
barb

I had my gallbladder out 3 weeks prior to having the band placed - was back to work in 3-4 days it was very easy. Good luck.

My doc won't do band/gallbladder at the same time - the trocar placement isn't optimal to do them both at the same time and the chance of even a little bile contaminating the band site can lead to many problems down the road. Better to have the gallbladder out and everything clean and fresh when the band goes in.

Good luck