Gallbladder Removal/Surgery, who has?

I am very familiar with the risk of having to have your gallbladder removed after having the gastric bypass surgery. I know that many people have to have theirs removed because of the rapid weight loss which creates gallstones.

I am wondering who has had this procedure done and what are your thoughts about it?

Recently, I had been hospitalized for this and was in the hospital for 4 days. Surgery was scheduled for this past Thursday, but was post-poned and rescheduled for this Wednesday, 1/19/11.  I am very fortunate to have Dr. Barker has my WLS surgeon, and continued follow up, he is very knowledgable and attentive to all things.

Last February, I experiened the same exact pain that was occuring last Thursday and Friday which caused me to be hospitalized- I could not keep anything down, food or liquids. I was volume depelted and that is when they found the gallstone. He said that it was rare for an interal hernia to be present again. When I was hospitalized in February 2010 and the exploratory surgery was done where he found the internal hernia and repaired it- he now believes that was by the car accident that I was in the previous day, where it had snowed and iced real bad and I slid off the road. He believes now that the internal hernia was caused by the lock of my lap  seatbelt, and the pain that I had been experiencing prior to was in fact my gallbladder then and now.

I want to be an informed patient about gallbladder, and I know that after having the surgery people have to revap their eating behaviors, which with us who have had the gastric bypass there is no change since we have previously done that. So, this component will not be effected in my life.

I want the good and bad about your experiences and any information you can provide me.

Now a week later, I don't have the pain as bad. But, he says that it could go from years experiencing pain, to more frequently months to weeks to even days and constant. He suggested that since they found the gallstone and know that I have them that it would be best to remove it now vs. waiting until later and continue to experience this pain.

I am aware that also gallbladder problems can be genetic- my grandpa had to have his removed once it got to the gaingreen stage. And, a year ago my sister had to have her's removed but it was also to the point of pancreatsis.

Again, anyone who has had their gallbladder out post-op or even prior to surgery OR has any knowledge of this subject please share.

Thanks so much.

I seem to recall having mine out eighteen months post RNY after a year of the Urisidol (sp?). Sludge kept showing up on sonograms so opted to let Dr. Kuhn snip it out.

Sidebar is that I was having cramps etc in my back a couple of years before I even had my RNY. Thought it may have been kidney related but looking back think it may have been gall bladder. Still have back issues but think it is more age related than anything else.

Had mine taken out in July 2010 (5 years post-op), the pain was worse for me than the RNY.  It took about 7 days to feel back to normal.  It hasn't impacted what I eat for the most part, initially I had to watch my fat intake.

I had my gallbladder out 4 months after my rny. It is done outpatient usually but take at least a week or 2 for recovery. I, being "special" was in the hospitall 5 days. Recovery was rougher than my rny but not as bad as some of my other surgeries. Gall bladder removal is pretty common aand a routine operation! With Dr Barker you are in good hands!

Keep us podtes on how you are doing!

Meggie

I had mine out 3 year post-RNY, and a few months after my tummy tuck/butt lift. They could not do it laproscopically due to the tightness of my muscles and the amount of infection, so they had to slice me open. I've had 5 hernia surgeries, 2 c-sections, RNY, tummy tuck, and buttlift, and this was by far the most painful - mainly due to the staples they used. After the staples came out, I was fine.

I had my gallbladder out at about 10 months post RNY.  It was about a 30 minute laproscopic procedure, and i was back at work and feeling fine at about 3 days out. Easy Peasy.
I had had some radiating pain from breastbone to shoulder, kind of like heartburn, and sure enough, I was full of stones. 

I generally do not have any problem with foods-post gallbladder removal.

Rachel

I had my gall bladder removed one month post gastric bypass surgery. To be honest it was a lot easier than the gastric bypass surgery pain wise and discomfort. Again, everyone experiences pain differently as well as other issues.  As we all know there is risk with all surgeries.  My surgeon only had to create one new incision and used the same sites for the other he used for the gastric bypass all performed lap. and went home the same day. I really did not need any pain medication and was back to work in a couple of days. Since having my gall bladder removed I have not had any issues.  I wish you the best of luck with your surgery and a speedy recovery.