Gallstones NOW?

I am just past my 2 year mark (2/7) and lost a total of 183lbs (it was 190 but I put 7 lbs back on over the past 6 months which the surgeon says "don't worry about it" but hell, how could I not worry about it!)... anyway... last week I have a few episodes of really bad gas pain that didn't respond to gas-x as usual and I ended up in the ER last Thursday night with such severe pain I just couldn't stand it.  It was typical gall bladder pain, starting under my rib cage and shotting up into my shoulder, couldn't take a deep breath, etc.  And everyone said "you still have your gall bladder? Why didn't the surgeon take it out when he did your RNY?"  Well I don't know!!  But strange thing is that they did a chest x-ray and there is apparently some of my intesting up near my liver where I guess it shouldn't be.    So I have an ultrasound scheduled for tomorrow (on my birthday none the less....) and I see the surgeon on Friday for my results. Has this happened to anyone else??

My surgeon removes the gallbladder when he performs the RNY.  As I understand it, having gallbladder problems 2 or 3 years after surgery is not all that uncommon, which is why some surgeons choose to take it out from the get go... sorry you're going through this... and on your birthday!  :-(  Hopefully the other issue with your intestines is not  major... maybe a blessing in disguise this gallbladder acting up, huh? Angie

Denise, Sorry, I've no advice as I had my gall bladder out a few years before RNY. I'm sorry that you're having these issues, but I do want to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!         Michele

I had emergency gall bladder removal at 2 1/2 years out! If that's it - get it out NOW!!!!!

My surgeon also doesnt remove the GB at the time of surgery. I just had mine out in January.  I can say I am glad my surgeon did not - it gave him a chance to get inside and see if there were any other issues going on that dont show up on tests. When he went in to remove my GB he fixed a lot of adhesion I had and also a slightly bowel obstruction - said he basically moved my intestines around to where they should be.  He said the pain typically associated with gall stones can also be ulcers, bowel obstructions and/or hernias in WLS patients. While I did have gall stones my GB wasnt bad, he said he couldnt say what was actucally causing the pain.  He also said that with massive weight loss our insides shift around a lot - they no longer have all that fat hold holding them into place so a lot of times getting a peek inside is good because things have shifted.  So its a blessing in some ways - espeically if your intestines are showing near your liver.

Hi, I usually don't post and i am over 2 years out..i did gain some weight back but am working on that right now.  As far as the gall bladder, if it doesn't show anything with the ultrasound, and the pain continues, please request a hide-a-scan (spelling)  I didn't have gall stones but i did have a dead gallbladder and because the only test they did was an ultrasound, I almost died.  My gall bladder burst before they got me into surgery.  So if nothing shows please PLEASE ask for this test to possibly save your life. Peggy 500/365/270

Thanks ladies- I had my ultrasound on Thurs and there were no gallstones.  I saw the surgeon on Friday and he said that while the ultrasound was neg, he still thinks it's my gallbladder because the CT Scan they did in the ER showed fluid around it, indicating that something was wrong in that general area.  So the plan is to do a colonoscopy to ensure it's not any type of bowel problem, and if that is negative he's going to take my gallbladder out and look around while he's in there.