Getting a date today & GB problems!

finding_40_fabulous
on 5/19/09 3:43 am - Pittsburgh, PA
Howdy Everybody!

I called the "scheduler" at my surgeon's office this morning.  I was told that I'd hear from her this week, and I need to ask her a question.  (I've developed a gallstone and wanted to ask if the WLS could/would handle this when I have my bypass and to see if she could schedule me soon so that I can avoid more GB problems.)

She said that she did have my file and that it is complete!  She said she'd call me today, after noon, to pick a date.  WooHoo!  She said that she has to talk to my surgeon first, but that she'd add me "to the top of the list" of her priorities today! 

So excited...and nervous!  Especially with my new GB problems...hopefully the wait until mid/late June will be possible!  The dr. that informed me of the stones gave me this list of possible complications I could experience by waiting!  I can't help but think, though, that if the WLS can do both, the surgery would be more successful.  If I have GB surgery, then WLS, maybe I'll have some scar tissue & need open surgery instead of laproscopic.???

We'll see!
Anyway...I just went online and ordered a bunch of protein powder samples!  Guess I better get moving and buy these and some vitamins.  I know..."Don't buy a ton because tastes will change."  That's why I just got some samples for now.

Now I need to find some B12 & calcium in the right dosages.  My doc said 500 mg calcium, three times per day (1500 total) and 500 mcg sublingual B12.  So far I can't find the right amount/dosages?!?

Sorry for the long post...just excited...nervous...eager!

Pat


Liz R.
on 5/19/09 4:51 am - Easton, PA
Congrats!! A lot of surgeons do the GB with the WLS. I had mine out separately and the GB was far worse!

Here's to a quick date and a speedy recovery!

Liz
finding_40_fabulous
on 5/19/09 5:11 am - Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks, Liz!
I have to admit...I'm waiting by the phone! :-)
I just have to be extremely careful until I can have this all taken care of...but then I'm going to have to be on the liquid diet anyway...huh?  That should be easy on the GB!
:-)

Pat


closure
on 5/19/09 5:25 am - PA
let us know when you find out! I just found out Friday so I know how you're feeling. I was waiting by the phone for 2 days though lol. good luck and I hope you get a date that's not too far away.
    
kgoeller
on 5/19/09 8:40 am - Doylestown, PA
I know how hard waiting can be, so hang tough!

Many surgeons will combine the gallbladder with the WLS to prevent later problems.  I had my gallbladder out 17 years ago (lap) and it was MUCH tougher than WLS recovery-wise, at least at that time.

Keep in mind that just because you HAVE a gallstone doesn't mean that you have to rush to have it out, especially if it was found incidentally and you're not having symptoms.  Many people (particularly women) carry around a few of them for years without knowing it, with no ill effects.  It's only when you develop so many that the gallbladder becomes inflamed or if one dislodges and obstructs (partially or fully) the bile duct that removal becomes a necessity.   

If you ARE having symptoms, though, it's important to resolve it fairly quickly.  An inflamed or infected GB can mean the difference between lap and open, for one thing.

My guess would be that if you have to have the GB separately, the WLS surgeon would want to wait a while longer before doing the WLS, to let the abdominal muscles heal and the other organs settle back into place.  That's based on a discussion with my onco today about the possibility of another lap surgery so soon after my gastric bypass attempt.

VITAMINS... try Wegmans if you have one near you.  TwinLab makes a B-12 in 1000mcg and 5000mcg (sublingual).   They also have a wide range of chewable calciums (make sure you look for sugar free!)... just look for calcium CITRATE as that's the one that's most easily absorbed.

Hope this helps and GOOD LUCK!

Karen
finding_40_fabulous
on 5/19/09 8:46 am - Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks Karen for the info.  I have been having painful symptoms with my GB, but my surgeon has recommended waiting and having everything done at once.  I just have to be very careful about what I eat...so I don't suffer too much.  But, I should be watching anyway...right?

Anyway...

My surgery is scheduled for June 18th!  Wow!  Can't believe it is finally going to happen.  Now starts all the pre-op testing (bloodwork & EKG) and the visit to both the PCP and the WLSurgeon.

Wow!  Now it seems that there is just so much to do!
Yahoo!

Pat


closure
on 5/19/09 1:17 pm - PA
congrats on the date! I'm sure it will go by fast!
    
finding_40_fabulous
on 5/20/09 6:27 am - Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks so much!
It's funny!  After waiting so long, now I feel like I have so much to do before the big day! 
So exciting!


Boogaloo
on 5/19/09 1:23 pm - PA
HI Pat,
Good luck with everything - lots going on for you, but it seems like you have everything under control. 
Lou
R K.
on 5/19/09 8:22 pm
Wow I`m a lucky GB patient. I had my gallbladder removed many months before WLS because it was a problem and had nothing to do with weight. Dr Holland did it and it was so easy. In at 7AM out by noon, Chicken breast sandwich in the cafeteria before leaving the building  and stopped to walk through Kohls on the way back to the Pocono`s.

From what my surgeon told me GB and WLS use different port sight so GB removal is not automatic for him.
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