Gallbladder

I have been told I have miltiple gallstones, and that Dr. Clough will remove it during surgery. Has anyone had this done and does it make the surgery any different or more difficult????

Kelley: I've been in the process since May and am scheduled to have surgery on Dec. 4. I had to put it off because of work. Anyway, I 've heard in different groups, that Dr. Clough always takes the gall bladder and Dr. Toder does not. I have Dr. Toder and we dicussed my problems with my gall bladder so I am hoping she will take it. I guess if you have a gall bladder with stones after surgery--you can really get sick. I've read that up to 30% of post WLS folks will have stones because of the rapid weight loss. So, I think it is best and I don't think it does anything to the surgery. I have also heard, that Dr. Clough does the open surgery and taking the gall bladder is not a big deal. Dr. Toder, who is doing lap on me(at my request) told me it will take just a bit longer to take my gall bladder doing the procedure this way. Anyway, check this out with Lynn or Dayna or a nurse in the office. Good luck and I can't wait to join the Losers! Jane

Dear Jane, I wanted to give you something to think about. I also had a LAP on July 7, 2003 and while they were in there someone put a hole in my small bowel which made me very sick. The I had to have another surgery 7 days later which resulted in a scar from the top of my belly to the pubic area. After many talks with my doctor we both agreeded that had I had it open it would of made a big difference. He actually no longer does the lap because its impossible to see it all. PLEASE consider the open version. The recovery is about the same and the pain is not that bad. Had I had to do it again I would definately chose the open. When they discuss the risks they really never tell you what could really happen and I am a average person who is 5'5" tall and weighted 256, now 192, and it happen to me so PLEASE think about the risks. Good luck and I would definately do it again in a heart beat. Deborah T p.s. I use to live in Maine in the Saco area and have been in the Florida area for the last 2 years. I always check the Maine message board as I still feel like a Mainer!!