Question:
RNY and Gall stones?

I have been reading that up to a 1/3 of RNY patients have gall stones after the surgery... have you had experience with this? What happened? Thanks!    — Ananta (posted on March 12, 2009)

March 12, 2009
While not 33% of RNY patients are affected, gall stones can happen. I'm almost 3 years out, and I go to 3 support meetings a month. Since I've had my RNY, I've met two RNY post ops with that developed gall stones, out of hundreds. Your galbladder is checked prior to surgery, if stones are there, my surgeon removes the galbladder by a LAP procedure while he does the LAP RNY. One woman I met in my surgeon's office on a post op visit. A second one I met on Tuesday. This last one is about a 3-4 month post op. Her galbaldder appeared OK prior to surgery, but she is having surgery for a galballder removal due to stones. So it can happen, no guarantee it will or it won't. DAVE
   — Dave Chambers

March 12, 2009
I had RNY Bypass on 12-19-09. I tried talking my Dr. into taking out my gallbladder then because I had also heard of a lot of patients having to get them out after. I also have a strong family history of Gallbladder removal in my family. He wouldn't do it. I ended up going back in and having it removed February 25th. I had gallstones. It was only 2-1/2 months. The Doctor said that it was from rapid weight loss. I lost 40lbs in 2 months. Which is good for me. The second surgery was a lot easier. I am still working my way up to feeling 100% better, but I feel pretty good!!
   — ready4me_now

March 12, 2009
My surgeon automatically removed my gall bladder when he did my RNY. Good thing he did as he found 30 gallstones had already developed! I had lost over 100 lbs prior to my RNY. I had no pain or symptoms of gall bladder problems. You can ask your surgeon to remove yours and be armed with your information. He will either do it or not. My insurance company agreed rather than having to pay for an additional surgery. Good luck!
   — norakeno

March 13, 2009
My surgeon removes the gallblader if you still have one. I had mine removed years before this surgery.
   — trible

March 13, 2009
My surgeon prescribed Actigal (or the generic, actually) to help prevent problems. I took it from 3rd month through 9 month after RNY surgery. I had no gall stone symptoms before surgery and don't really know what kind of shape my gb is in. But I'm 1 yr 5 mos out and no problems so far.
   — Cathy 1.

March 13, 2009
My surgeon offered to remove my gallbladder during surgery if they got in there and the gall bladder looked diseased or was full of stones. If you have insurance that is paying for it then that can work out well since you don't have to go through 2 surgeries. It is hard to know what to do, but I would discuss it with your surgeon.
   — brindledanes