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This is a question for you, as well as a general question to anyone who's reading this: did your surgeon put you on Urso (ursodiol) for 6 months after surgery? Mine did - it helps the gallbladder during the massive weight loss phase immediately post-surgery. Everyone I know that had this prescription still has their gallbladder. Bear in mind that I had my DS 6/19/06, and this was my surgeon's protocol for all his WLS patients. I don't know if surgeons still do this.
I'm sorry to hear that your gallbladder went bad. I've heard the pain is awful and I hope it resolves soon.
"Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open." --J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
I'm realy sorry to hear that your operation has been being cancelled due to the COVID-19 spike. It sounds like you're being proactive in trying to find an alternative and I hope everything works out for you. It's definitely frustrating to change surgeons late in the game. Have you considered contacting an insurance broker portland for assistance? They may be able to help you with transferring your pre-authorization and scheduling a new surgery date. I hope that the situation improves and you're able to get the surgery you need soon.
on 1/17/23 5:21 pm
Thanks for your feedback!
Good to know I fit the old ER saying. Well, not so fat anymore, but all the rest!
Appreciate the perspective. I guess treatment could be an option but it does appear that overall, the long-term odds on keeping it are not in our favor. Glad you're able to eat anything now!
Yep, I'm absolutely controlling fat right now. The pain is constant and growing over time but manageable. The moderate fat had been my adaptation of the general post-surgery plan, which all but eliminated everything but lean protein and non starchy vegetables until Monday. Since I'm already running into some deficiencies in my fat soluble vitamins, figured eating a bit more fat would help...just not for the next few weeks, or as you said, post-op for a while. My guess is they'll want this to move pretty quickly.
Have a good night, and thank you for continuing to share experiences for these questions!
HW 282, LW 123.4 (8/29/23), CW 144.4
Pre-op-33, M1-12, M2-17, M3-14, M4-11, M5-14, M6-5, M7-6, M8-5, M9-22, M10-6, M11-5, M12-2, M13-2, M14-5
GB issues are endemic for almost anyone who has been heavy a good portion of their lives. This is why many DSers have the GB removed when they have their DS. I insisted mine be removed. Long standing joke in the ER, fat, female, over 40, presents with abdominal pain. The first thing to check is the GB.
I am just fine without mine and I can eat anything.
The reason your clinic wants you on a low fat diet is to lessen the possibility of GB attacks while you are waiting for surgery. Very painful as you already know. There really is no reason to keep it. You would just be waiting for it to fill up with sludge again. Or stones.
Postop start with lower fat and once you are healed most likely you will be able to eat as before.
on 1/17/23 4:18 am
Thanks for your response! It's interesting that your surgeon said he would and didn't. I'm glad it's worked out for you and that you've been able to keep it! From what I've seen since joining, you've been pretty darned successful with your surgery and eat a good amount of fat.
I asked during pre op if gallbladder removal was included (since the internet said it's pretty common) and got a resounding no at the time. Candidly, this is the fourth time I've lost more than 100 pounds, so that might be taking a toll after decades of ups and downs. Doesn't even include all the smaller losses.
Appreciate the diet feedback as well. I was just instructed to add back 15g of carbs per meal as of yesterday, so I'll get to have some fruit, whole grains, and fiber to see how that goes. The trick is he wants me to eat that at the same meal as the 3 ounces of protein and non starchy veggies. Ha!
Have a great day!
HW 282, LW 123.4 (8/29/23), CW 144.4
Pre-op-33, M1-12, M2-17, M3-14, M4-11, M5-14, M6-5, M7-6, M8-5, M9-22, M10-6, M11-5, M12-2, M13-2, M14-5
yes i was just about to jump off the bed what if i never woke up well it was my only chance of servival though but they injected me and i was soon in LALA land. i hope you afre enjoying life now i had my surgery 21 years ago now and i have oly sat around about 79 t0 80kg since then wll they say to expect to puton 10% of the weight back on but i have only put 6% back in 21 years Ds ia the best surgery.
I think Gallbladder issues go hand in hand with the DS procedure including the Sadi. So much so, my WLS surgeon told me he was going to just remove it as a precaution at the same time he performed my Sadi procedure in 2014.
Turns out he did not remove it, although I have not had any Gallbladder issues to date. I'm a believer in eating good fats anytime you like, as well as high amounts of protein, and any amount of fruits and fiber you like. It works well for me so far but everyone needs to evaluate what works for them.
on 1/16/23 3:08 pm
Good afternoon DSers!
Today was my six month post surgery follow up, woo! About three weeks ago I started having a dull, vertical pain in my abdomen between my rib cage and navel with the occasional sharp pain when bending or lifting. After waiting a week to discount stupid human tricks, I called the clinic and had an ultrasound scheduled, which was Friday.
During the follow up today, the APRN opened with the results. In super scientific medical terms, my gallbladder has "sludge". They can't tell if there are stones. He immediately moved to "once it's out" language, and now I have a surgical consult scheduled for Monday. I also, coincidentally, will be seeing my PCP for low energy and fatigue Wednesday and will ask about this from a medical perspective. The pain hasn't gone away and it's evolved to spread to the left and right a bit, so I know something needs to be handled.
So, the point. Two of them, actually.
We malabsorb fats - I've seen the proof! My clinic wants me on super low fat diet. I've been doing a moderate fat diet with an emphasis on healthier ones like avocado, olive oil, nuts, etc., mostly in hopes of being better able to absorb vitamin content. For those who have a DS and no gallbladder, or have had your gallbladder removed post-surgery, has that changed your eating habits or how your body has handled fats?
Second, anyone had something similar with "sludge" that didn't result in surgery? I'll be consulting Dr. Google but much appreciate the lived experience of the veterans here. Thank you!
HW 282, LW 123.4 (8/29/23), CW 144.4
Pre-op-33, M1-12, M2-17, M3-14, M4-11, M5-14, M6-5, M7-6, M8-5, M9-22, M10-6, M11-5, M12-2, M13-2, M14-5
Hello all I am curious to here results from people that have had the long limb revision surgery. I had the open RNY 20 Years ago and now getting read to do the long limb revision on Feb 20th. Also I am doing a 2 week liquid clear diet before the surgery. How did you all do for that and how much weight did you lose? Thank you for any info.
Geneane
