Question:
My gallbladder ultrasound indicates I have sludge in my gallbladder.

I am almost 7 months post-op lap/rny, down 81 lbs, and had a gallbladder ultrasound because of pain in my rib cage, right side, towards the back. The report shows I have no stones but I have a small amount of "sludge". Wondering if anyone has had this and what their doctor said about it and how it was treated. Did you end up having the gallbladder removed? Thanks for any help.    — [Anonymous] (posted on November 7, 2001)

November 7, 2001
I had sludge and they took the gallbladder out. Sorry say you will probably have to have another surgery.
   — [Anonymous]

November 7, 2001
I am preop and I had my gallbladder removed in 1986. I hate to say this but I continue to get occasional gallbladder attacks.They average about 3 a year and they are just as painful when I had my gallbladder. I have an appt today with a GI doc to discuss what is going on. I probably have granules or sludge that are getting stuck in the duct, causing my pain, and this is why I think my liver enzymes are elevated also. But I will find out my answer soon. My point to this whole thing is that just because they remove your gallbladder, does not guarantee that you will not have any future problems. I never expected to have any more pain after the gallbladder removal.Talk to your doc about this issue because alot of people don't really talk about this.BTW, my gallbladder removal was an open procedure, not lap. Good luck and keep us posted.
   — garyzgurl

November 7, 2001
Oh my gosh.. I am going thru this RIGHT now! My pain is all over my stomach and left side.. weird huh? I was told that I also have the sludge stuff and that it will just get worse! I have a meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and as of right now... I want this thing OUT of me! This is the most painful thing I have ever gone thru in my life! I had my surgery done Lap 11 months ago and I hope they can do this one Lap. Good luck to you and wow.. you arent that far out post-op. I guess I am a little more fortunate that I am almost a year out. I am NOT looking forward to another surgery so soon but it is better than this pain.
   — danabky

November 13, 2001
There is a huge jump (percentage wise) in the first year in patients who have WLS that also need to have their gasllbladders removed. GB problems are no surprise. Fat people have abused their GB for years. I had a CCK/HIDA scan preop and found that mine was practically non functioning. It was removed when I had the WLS. You can have an outpatient lap chole and go home the same day.
   — Tom H.

February 27, 2003
Hi there....this is probably an old post, but I just had to respond. I was told I had "sludge" last week after getting a HIDA scan and ultrasound. I don't have "stones", but so much "sludge" has built up that it has actually blocked my cystic duct in the gall bladder and I am having it removed on Monday. Good luck to you.
   — Kelly C.