Question:
Should u just have your gb taken out anyway at surgery, or only if u have a problem?

   — MARCY S. (posted on January 25, 2002)

January 25, 2002
My surgeon recommends the removal of the gall bladder when the surgery is performed. He has been doing barriatric surgery for 20 years and has found that in the majority of the cases, further surgery is needed within a year, so he likes to take it during the RNY if the patient is ok with that. He removed mine and I am glad because now I don't have to worry about taking time off work for futher surgery. Many doctors recommend removing it and other refuse to remove it unless it is diseased. So, you need to discuss this with your surgeon. Also, my surgeon charges it as a second surgery - my insurance pays 50% of additional surgeries done at the same time as the initial procedure - but he was in-network so he accepts whatever the insurance pays. That might be a consideration for you also.
   — Patty_Butler

January 25, 2002
I've already had my gall bladder out and I'll tell you I would not want to go through the week prior to that surgery EVER again. I'd never had a bit of trouble with it, but then got sick one Monday right after lunch. I had it out on Friday afternoon and those were the longest 5 days of my life. I hurt all the time. If your surgeon will remove it when you have your WLS, let him.
   — [Anonymous]

January 25, 2002
My surgeon removed my gall bladder at the time of my Lap RNY surgery. The main reason from what all I've read and learned is that if it doesn't come out then, chances are that it will have to be removed within the next year or two anyway, thus, killing two birds with one stone.
   — Annie H.

January 25, 2002
I asked my surgeon to take mine out and he refused saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'. He said that many don't ever have any troubles with theirs after surgery so he won't take it out unless there are existing problems.
   — Cheri M.

January 25, 2002
Many surgeons remove the gall bladder because a fair number of WLS patients develop gallstones after surgery. My surgeon will be removing both my gall bladder AND my appendix during my DS. I just look at it as a few more ounces I'll never regain!
   — MaryM.