Question:
Do you have to have Gallbladder removed if you have stones?

I have been having bloating pain and pressure under my ribs for a while now and asked the Dr. if it could be my Gallbladder. She said more than likley not, just indigestion, HUH. I insisted on a ultrasound and had it this morning and haven't gotten the official report, but saw tons of white dots in the gallbladder. The tech said it was galstones, but I have no Idea how many or how big. I am just sick of this pain. I REALLY DON'T WANT MY GALLBLADDER OUT!!!!!!!! I have been really lucky and have had no Dirrehia(SP?)and I am very afraid that if I get the Gallbladder out I will have really loose BM's. If you have stones, do you have to have the Gallbladder removed? Thanks for the help!!!!    — Jody Diou (posted on July 2, 2002)

July 2, 2002
I had my gallbladder out in 1986 and never had any problem with loose stools. Quite the contrary, I had a problem with constipation. I found that certain foods became undigestible, like corn and spinach. I will say that I was very glad to not have the terrible pain anymore. Back then, no Dr. was doing it lap so I'v got a big scar and I could not have my wls lap either because of it. Good luck!
   — Andrea S.

July 2, 2002
hi, i had my gallbladder removed at the same time as my lap rny and i have had no problems with bms at all. I had been having what i was sure was gallbladder attacks since i was in my middle teens (i am 31 now) and am so glad to have it gone. my doctor always has a gallbladder ultrasound done before you have surgery, so he can whip it out while he is in there. i am 5 months out and no problems.
   — Heather H.

July 2, 2002

   — Amber L.

July 2, 2002
I had my gallbladder out on March 1st. There is ABSOLUTLY NO DIFFERENCE in any thing in my life. No loose stools, and I can eat all the same foods as before. Except for four tiny and almost unnoticeable scars I would never know it was out.
   — Danmark

July 2, 2002
Ha! I just came home from my sonogram that was ordered after 8-10 hours in the ER last night. I have stones too. Tech didn't say what the status of my actual gallbladder was. I haven't gotten my WLS date yet but was probably looking at Sep or Oct. Sounds like it may be sooner now......I hope because I don't want 2 operations. And the stones hurt! I do not want this thing in me anymore, although the drugs are pretty nice.....good luck! Nelly
   — Nell C.

July 2, 2002
Speak to your doctor concerning alternatives to surgery and their effectiveness. But, to avoid any further discomfort or complications have your gallbladder removed. I had my gallbladder removed in 1994 and I have had no problems with my BMs. But, I made the mistake of procrastinating in seeking treatment and developed some serious complications. Take Care and Good Luck
   — Aynikaye