Kemmeter and Gall Bladder Removal

So i've heard that kemmeter doesnt like to do gall bladder removals at the same time as the DS, but i have a family history of gall bladder issues and am going to insist on it to the point of possibly switching surgeons and pushing back my date if i need to. Does anybody know why this is the case with him when it is so common for them to be done together? Also, if he HAS done this for anyone, any suggestions on what to say to sway his oppinion?

Ok, so according to his preop coordinator, none of the GHP surgeons will do it because they are claiming insurance wont cover it, which is total BS because most surgeons consider it the same surgery. I don't know what to do, i can't afford 2 major surgeries and the time off work they will require when (i dont say if because it's hereditary in my family) i have to have my gallbladder removed. So incredibly frustrating.

My surgeon doesn't remove gall bladder at the time of DS surgery, he does remove the appendix though.. Even though you are told you will most likely have gall bladder issues in the future, and I DID..  THe pain was awful, I didn't know it was gallbladder pain, so 15 months after DS surgery, I had my gallbladder out too.. Would be much easier just to take it all out then.

Good Luck

 

Anecdotal I know but seems to me quite a few end up back in surgery for the GB if it isn't removed with the DS.  I think MOST heavy people have GB problems eventually and it should be removed.  I insisted mine go with my DS and I'm glad!

Have you had an ultrasound done of the gallbladder?  Or a gallbladder function test?  Maybe it's ready to go now.  Do you have any symptoms of a bad gallbladder.  I had a family history and started having symptoms at 18 and had it removed in my early 20's.

I suppose that's not a bad idea. I'm not sure who i would talk to about it though, my regular doctor?

When Dr. Kemmeter did mine seven years ago, he routinely removed both the gallbladder and appendix.   I'm not sure why they no longer do, but it very likely could be because of insurance, because insurance isn't going to pay for a non-necessary surgery, on a well functioning gallbladder.      It is unfortunate that so many are going back in for removals, however, and it's rather distressing to see this happen to so many.    There really are no other surgeons as good as Kemmeter in Michigan DS-wise, however, and I'm not saying that because he was my surgeon.  I'd rather have to go back in for a gall bladder removal, which is a pretty cut-and-dried surgery, than have some inexperienced hack do my DS, which is a very complex surgery, just because my gall bladder might need removing down the line.    When you meet with him for your consult, discuss your family history of gall bladder issues, and perhaps they can use this information to justify to your insurance why you need yours removed during your DS.    

I've already had my consult. The reason I worry is because my sister had major complications from her ds because they had to do the gallbladder surgery so close and she wasn't healed yet, this caused a lot of scarring and makes it extremely difficult for her to eat sometimes.

My D.S. was done by Dr. Kemmeter, with no complications, love the results and his pre and post care. My gallbladder needed removing a year out from D.S., insurance covered both surgeries. Going through the major weight loss of 135 lbs in 8 months with a gallbladder may have been easier on my system than doing it without it. After the gallbladder removal, there was an adjustment period of a few months with extreme lose bowels. I was glad I was able to get used to the effects of foods and understanding how to function with a new D.S. before having to deal with a lack of gallbladder. An important part of maintaining health with the D.S. is counteracting the effects of malabsorbtion, tweaking vitamins and supplements, having enough protein and fluids. Long periods of too fast a bowel system would be counter productive to maintaining good lab levels. I spent the first year of my D.S. learning exactly what it would take to maintain my labs in the normal range. After my gallbladder removal, I was able to handle adjusting vits, food and fluids keeping my health in the normal zone. I am glad I had these surgeries in 2 steps, to be able to learn all about maintaining my health.                                                                                                                                                

At Grand Health Partners, along with Dr.Kemmeters skills, you will have 5 star on going care, and education from nutritionists, sports physiologists, complimentary months of weekly cognitive therapy lectures, support group meetings  and an on site store. All these things are important for your success for years to come managing your weight loss, physical and mental conditioning and more. At 2 years out , I am still able to have super surgical care and screening for other non related general surgeries, from Dr. K who is the wisest choice to do my surgeries because he knows my rerouted system best. My PCP internist agrees he is the best choice, it would be risky to have anyone else do my surgeries.

When I had my gallbladder out, I asked for my appendix to be removed at the same time. My insurance had to approve, and pay for each of these surgeries.

Advice on talking with Dr.K about your surgical wishes: He likes his patients to be educated about their surgical choices concerning bariatric options. Knowing how to handle the D.S. to maintain your health is imperative. He doesn't give the D.S. to everyone because it's an advanced highest level maintained for life, with irreversable surgical changes , no exceptions for the list of necessary care factors. Know anatomical changes due to the D.S., and why the D.S. would suit you best. How would you maintain health with which food choices, and familiarity with the amount of necessary vitamins and supplements. State your case about the need for the gallbladder removal at the same time as the D.S. These are facts he can use to present to your insurance for approval. His office is instrumental for insurance approval, and communicating with insurance co's if  first denied. I wouldn't choose any one else, or anywhere else for my surgeries. Work with them, they will have lots of ideas to make your situation work for you.

Best wishes on your journey !!!!

Thank you very much for your reply, this puts me a bit more at ease. I didnt think about the "looseness" issue. I think i will speak with him and my pcp about going on medication to reduce the risk of gall stones and call it a day. As i said above, I'm just worried about having the surgeries too close together. In a way though, I've learned from the issues my sister had to deal with. Unfortunately, when she started having issues with pain, they put her on more opiates, which made her more "stopped up" and made the pain worse. They didnt realize this until she went to a gastric specialist down at the U of M, who noticed that it was food going over the scar tissue that caused her all the pain she had. At least if it happens to me, I will know to tell them not to put me on pain killers, but rather a softener. But i digress.

I agree on the bedside manner aspect, everyone at GHP and St Mary's is wonderful and I'm sure they will be able to give me the best care.