one month follow up visit

I am one month out of surgery and the surgeon said I am doing great- I have lost 30 lbs so far! She is sending me for an ultra sound to check my gallbladder since I had some tenderness/pain on my right side and above my ribs. The pain is not constant though. I really hope its not my gall bladder and just pain from everything healing! Any advice? Thanks!

I would say CONGRATULATIONS on making great progress so far!  Just take a deep breath - sounds like your doc is being appropriately cautious in checking out the gallbladder, as that is a very common issue in women (especially) around weight loss (and pregnancy).  Some docs prescribe something to help prevent gallstones after surgery (can't recall the name of the rx) and others just take the gallbladder at the same time they do the rny...  

Even if it is your gallbladder, it's really not a bad surgery.  i know, not what you want to hear, but kinda better to get them both over quickly - gotta look on the bright side!

good luck and keep us posted!

karen

Thanks Karen- I believe the medicene to prevent gallstones is called Actigall?  I forgot to ask my doc about that yesterday.... almost everyone that has had bypass has had to have their gallbladder taken out- so I kinda wish they would have taken it out during my bypass but they said 90% of patients dont have trouble with their gallbladder.  So we will see what happens!  I would rather have it over and done with now rather than later!!

PHENOMENAL successing!  Keep it up!

Re: the Gallbladder....

An US is a good idea...but won't rule out all problems related to the gallbladder.  That will only show "sludge" and/or "stones" in it.  Sometimes, there is a "mechanical" function problem with the gallbladder which is basically only shown through a different type of test, a hyda scan.

As far as the pain coming and going..do you notice it more after eating?  if so...take note of WHAT you have eaten.  That could lend a clue to gallbladder issues as well.

Keep us updated!

Thanks Pam- I am really happy with my weight loss so far! 
It is hard to determine when I get the pain (although it is more of a soreness/ tenderness)  I did notice the other night I took a sip too big and after eating some eggs got a sharp pain above my ribs/ under my chest if I tried to drink anything.  Then while laying on my left side in bed got a sharp pain on my right side (around the same area of my ribs)  It felt better when I layed on my back- earlier that day I was cleaning, so was doing alot of bending over and twisting- so maybe that was the reason?  hmmmm.... who knows I have my appt on wednesday.  I wonder if they will do the hyda scan also, I will mention something to them.  thanks!!

You are doing a great job!

I second everything that Pam said about the gallbladder. Usually people develop gall bladder problems 1-2 years out, me included. I had one of the "mechanical function" problems that Pam was talking about and it did show on the Hyda Scan.

Since you are only a month out I am hoping that it is just gas or food issues.

Keep up the great work!

Liz

Thanks Liz!  My surgeon said the same thing about gallbladder issues usually dont arise this soon- but she said losing 30lbs could just be enough for my body to have trouble... also when I had an IVP scan last yr they noticed a formation in my back, but told me not to worry about it unless I had pain coming around to the front.....so who knows!