3 years post op - had to have Gall Bladder taken out...

So, I am three years post op. About 3 weeks ago, I had excrutiating pain and found out I had to get my gall bladder removed. Because I had weight loss surgery lap, there was too much scar tissue and they had to do the GB removal open... i was in the hospital for 5 days and it was awful. 

I am doing well now. I wish my surgeon had taken out my GB when he did the weight loss surgery but I think he said something along the lines of it was a 50/50 chance that the GB could go bad after WLS and he said no surgery is without risk, so he wanted to leave it in. So, it is what it is now.. 

I feel soar at this point. Cosmetically, the scar itself looks good but my skin isn't flat like the other side of my stomach. I think I saw this with the WLS surgery too. My aunt who is a nurse said it would flatten out in time. I am just wondering why it takes time to flatten. There is like a dent where the scar is and then the skin above it looks bloated. It seems like it is a little flatter than a few weeks go but it might just be because I am standing up straighter - putting my back straighter and then it pulls that skin up. 

Anyways, besides all this.. I am still happy with my WLS... I have been at goal for over 2 years. 

One more question... I was reading that the GB helps digests fat. But, we don't absorb much fat... only 20%. SO, does this GB removal not really affect my eating? Do I have to watch my fat intake now? What will not having a GB effect for us? 

I am a nurse as well.  It is an invasive procedure and yours was open ouch yes it will take a while to get back to normal.  In fact to recover 100 % it can take up to 6 months. For example you might feel some numbness around the surgical area and it could take 6 months to a year.  Focus on recovering and try not to worry about the what things look like.  Protein is good for wound healing.  Thankfully my surgeon took mine out when he did my DS.  I wanted him to take my appendix since he was in there and he offered however from prior surgeries and scar tissue it took so long he did not have time.  Remember to use a pillow to splint your stomach when you cough. 

Hope this helps 

Okay, thank you for the response. 

I do have numbness underneath the scar and my skin is peeling under the scar where it is numb. 

It feels weird too where it is slumping (not flat). I always feel like I need to hold it up or use a belt. It's just odd feeling... doesn't hurt. 

When I lay flat, it is flat and looks like he stitched it together evenly. 

Do you know if going in a pool (with clorine) is safe at 4 weeks after surgery? 

The doctor didn't tell me any care for the scar. He just said to not scrub at scar in shower. He said no lifting for 6 weeks and no vacuuming. I have done other cleaning, like dishes and wiping counters but nothing else. I wonder when I can vacuum? 

I don't want to get a hernia from straining anything. 

Yeah, I think they did take out my appendix but I am not sure. I will have to ask. 

I remember my surgeon saying they took out both to make it easier to diagnose things in the ER in case there's any abdominal issues later. It's a shame all surgeons don't do that as well while they are in there!!

 

 

K

I had my GB out at same time as my DS and eat like a normal DSer.

I'd introduce fat slowly and see how you do. It's quite common to have the GB removed at the same time as the DS.