Remove Gallbladder or Not?

My surgeon said there's a 50% chance I will develop stones post-op. I'm getting an ultrasound tomorrow to ensure there are no stones pre-op. The hospital charges an additional $2,600 for the removal but the surgeon doesn't charge anything to go ahead and remove it while he's in there. Sooooo, should I just have that sucker taken out? I'm leaning toward yes because I hear stones are super painful.

Anyone keep their gallbladder after the DS? Any issues with it?

$2600??? Wow---I got mine yanked for $640. But yes, I'd be inclined to get it out. I've never missed mine!

I suffered from gallstones from the young age of 17, so did my mom, "it runs in our family".  It was the one thing going into the DS surgery that I was so glad that I didnt have to worry about.  TRUST ME, JUST DO IT!  It is the most horrible pain, that I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy.  Why have to worry if you are going to be one of the ones that gets them.  So many wls patients do.  The one Im worrying about now is kidney stones from the calcium.  Ive had those before and dont want them again either.  At least I onley have one of them to worry about....lol

Many DS surgeons make gallbladder removal a routine part of surgery, to decrease the chance of having to open up the abdomen again.

I don't know if gallbladder surgery cam be done la*****t.  it seems that little sack of membrane is so fragile, it needs to be visualized and taken out.  Just my opinion, judging from the ones I've ruptured during dissections in class.  I'm glad I don't want to be a surgeon!

 

I had a fierce gallbladder attack when I was in college.  It's pain you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy.

Edited to add: My surgeon also routinely removes the appendix as part of her DS surgery.  Both surgeries to reduce or eliminate the chance of having to open up the abdomen again to remove them.  Although with laparoscopic surgery, both may be able to be done lap, but why go into surgery if you don't have to.  I say get them both out, and that heads off future problems at the pass.

Yeah, they can be done lap.

Mine was done lap at 19 months post-op from my DS surgery.  When the surgeon went in, it was ready to blow!  Yet it was removed just in time!  No problem at all!

Glad it didn't blow, Vicki! 

It was the worst pain I ever felt, and glad I won't ever have to feel that again!

Too many of us have had subsequent surgeries to remove that pesky thing.  I insisted mine be taken out when I had my DS and I sure haven't missed it!

My surgeon automatically takes them out, plus the appendix, when he does the DS.  The gallbladder is really hard to reach once you have the DS, and it's function isn't critical.  My surgeon said every time he left it in, it developed stones.

I told him to go ahead and remove all my excess organs.    It was wrapped up into the price of the surgery.

If that cost is not prohibitive, do it!  If you'd ever had a gb attack (and I'm happy for you that you haven't!), you wouldn't even be questioning it.  It is brutal pain!  So while he's in there, might as well.  Good luck!