gallbladder and WLS

I had a gallbladder attack which put me in the hospital 18 years ago, was scheduled for surgery, couldn't make it, didn't reschedule (I haven't had time yet - lol) but it has been completely silent for 18 years.

BUT

It shows on my barium swallow that it is still there and I know that losing weight too quickly can lead to gallbladder stone formation which is a complication I would like to avoid.  Now down in the states, some surgeons take the gallbladder out as a precaution for this and I am wondering if anyone has had this scenerio with our Drs.?

Did anyone have pre-existing stones and if so, did you get a 2 for 1 on surgery day?  I just don't want to come back in 6 months for the cholecystectomy if they are right there.

NGD (stoned)

The surgical team prefers not to remove the gallbladder at the same time as the bariatric surgery. However, if you already have a pre-existing condition, it only makes sense to do it at the same time.

Ask them about it when you have your surgical consult. May as well kill two birds with one stone, if you ask me.

Tanya

I have nothing left to do but the pre op and surgery and I am hesitant to bring it up at the pre op (not sure if I actually see the surgeon then or just the anethetist and pre op labs.  I just don't want them to delay the surgery any longer.  I was just wondering if anyone had been in this position and what the surgeons said about it or if anyone has had any gallbladder problems post surgery.

I think it wouldn't hurt to mention your concerns as they have probably seen the results of the barium swallow and may already have some thoughts.

Good luck!

At pre-op you only meet with Anaesthesia & the pre-op nurse, and it's only usually a week or 2 prior to surgery, by then they already have specific time booked for the OR.  I would either tell the surgeon right away, or wing it...and see what they say @ pre-op or the day of surgery.  They do sometimes make adjustments even the day of OR.

By the way...did you end up getting a date for surgery when you saw the dietician?

I had a lovely chat with Andrea and we talked about times in Oct but she still hadn't gotten any specific OR dates yet for the third week but she didn't sound like it was completely impossible and I am supposed to call her after the long weekend to see if she has heard any dates yet.  I'm feeling  hopeful!
 

 ha! funny you should mentoin this. i was diagnosed with gallstones in may, had a couple of nasty attacks, tried to get them to remove it day of rny they wouldnt. rny was just june 5th. guess what i did this week?? spent the bloody week slated for emergency gallbladder removal, had it out tues. less then 2 months after rny. grrrrr. glad its out though. apparently i could have died, it was gangrenous and necrotic and pus everywhere, one of the worst theyd seen. i doubt they will let you get it out at the same time, but i recomend you try, or you will be back in the or, sooner then later. well.... if your anything like me, lol
best of luck!!