Anyone had their gallbladder out after WLS?

Good morning,
I had a wonderful one year post op appt with Dr. Boe yesterday and told him that I feel sick to my stomach after I eat most of the time. It doesn't matter if it's a protein shake or food. It gets worse during that time of the month. Even when I eat really slow it happens.  I just thought it was a small price to pay to be healthy.  Well, he thinks it might be gallstones. If I have gallstones then I have to get my gallbladder removed. Has anyone ever had this happen? I really don't want another surgery since I only had my hip replaced 8 weeks ago and am trying to be back to work the end of the month. If you had it out, how is life different without your gallbladder? I go for my ultra-sound tomorrow morning at 7:30am so at least I don't have to wait long for the results.

Thanks,
Tracy

Well, Tracy, it's actually a pretty common thing, particularly among women.  Some docs give a Rx after surgery to try and prevent it... others just take the gallbladder routinely when they do the surgery. 

I actually had mine out before my WLS, so it's been gone for about 17 years.  I found that for a few years afterward, there were a FEW foods that gave me heartburn (peppers and cooked tomatoes being the worst offenders).  I also had persistent diarrhea for about 2 years after gallbladder surgery.  Other than that, nothing at all changed.

I can also tell you that waking up from gallbladder surgery, I had this INTENSE feeling of immediate relief, even as I was coming out of the anesthesia.  I had been in such pain from it prior, and just felt horrible... but it was immediate relief.  My surg was laparoscopic, but it was a tough one because my gallbadder was SO inflamed, and I was also very overweight and 3 months post-partum... so the recovery for my abdominal muscles was tough.  Given where you are in weight loss, recovery should be significantly easier.

Hope this helps!

Karen

Hi Tracy - I had mine out Sept 22, 2009 - just over 1 1/2 years post op. It was a rough recovery for me as well. Mine had been mis-firing, sending bile in the wrong direction, no stones though. I was instantly nauseous whenever I ate anything other then pasta or bread (great right...) I also was running to the potty frequently. I was out of work for 5 days and went back on monday with little discomfort - really the frist 3 days post op were the hardest (as with anything)

The only difference post-op GB surgery was fat REALLY bothered me for about the first 3 months - I might as well have eaten anything remotely fatty (say hamburger that was only 80% lean) at home because I knew that the diarreah was coming. I did get progressively better and now I am back to "normal" almost a year later.

*hugs* if it needs to come out sooner is better - the worse it gets the harder the recovery. You sure have been put through the ringer lately though! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask or PM me.

Liz

Tracy,

I had mine out numerous years ago.  I wasnt fotunate to have the laparoscopy so I have the big  incision.  Do you have any pain?   I had alot of pain when I had gallstone problems.  Started in the front and went around the side & back.  Double over pain.  I had alot of  stones. I didnt get sick when I ate but had the runs alot.   Goodluck.  Keep me posted as to what is going on.  Was hoping to have you back at work soon.  I need a walking partner.

JoAnn

Tracy,

I just had mine out on June 3rd. Liz gave me great info. from her experience. PM either one of us and we'll tell you anything you need to know.

Teresa

Teresa,
Did Dr.Boe do your surgery? I live in Reading and IF I have to get this done then Langhorne is a little too far. I had my ultra sound this morning and of course they wouldn't tell me a thing so I have to wait until next week. If I have to get this done I'll be sure to contact you and Liz for more info. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions. It's going to be a loooooong weekend.

Thanks!

Tracy - good luck with the US results.

Dr Brader was the one who diagnosed my gall bladder issues. I asked him if he wanted to do it or I should get a general surgeon - he told me to just get a general surgeon - there isn't anything different about our GB then anyone elses. HE WOULD do it - but that's about an hour and a half drive for me and I was worried about having to do that the same day after having surgery.

best of luck!

Liz

PS - I hope that the test results come quickly for you

PPS - Have they checked for ulcers?

Liz,
Dr. Boe said he would do it but I would much rather be closer to home. I really hope I don't need it done. I am so sick of surgeries. At this point they have not checked for ulcers. Maybe I will bring that up to him if nothing shows up on my ultra-sound. I hate not knowing. I have plans to go to school at the end of the month and am a planner so I need to know so I can plan what I'm going to do. Oh well. I'll just try to forget about it until I get the results...lol. (yeah right)

Thanks.

Just as an FYI the ultrasound may not show anything right off the bat.  Like Liz, she didn't have any stones....her's wasn't working right.  So, if the US doesn't show anything, don't be surprised if they send you for a different test - it's called a hida scan.  It has to do with laying on a table and they take some pictures of your gallbladder (like fancy x rays) and then they inject you with some stuff.  Then you have the pleasure of waiting around for what seems like forever (I think for me it was about 90 mins) and then they inject you with a different type of stuff and begin to take pictures as the injection is moving through you.....I was there for a couple of hours total.

Good luck!  Hopefully this will be the end of it for you and you can move on from here!

Pam

Hey Tracy!

I had my galbladder out 14 yrs ago - WAY prior to my RNY surgery.  I was only in the hospital one nite.  I had it done laproscopically (sp?) and was only out of work for a week.  I am not sure if the surgery would be the same post RYN, but I honestly don't think recovery would be too bad.

Personally, I would seek out a good surgeon closer to you sinceLanghorne is so far away.

Best of luck!

Jill

PS...you look great!