Question:
Gall bladder removal--how painful is this post-op?

I was told about the gallstones today. The doctor is going to remove gall bladder during wls. Will I have to stay longer in the hospital? Double healing time? More pain? Help    — Toby2 (posted on July 18, 2008)

July 18, 2008
I had my gall bladder removed 13 years ago (I'm 2 years post op). They did it laproscopically. They did the surgery around 10 a.m., and I walked in my door around 5 p.m the same day. It's painful for the first two to three days, then OK after that. I assume yours will be laproscopic, and knowing the U.S., unless here are complications, I doubt they'll keep you in the hospital overnight. Good luck. Better to have a little pain and get rid of it than live with the pain of a gall bladder attack!
   — Hollywog

July 18, 2008
You are lucky he is doing it then....you won't have any more pain than usual.....but I will tell you....and this is hard....the more you walk when you get home....the faster you will heal....the less gas you will have and the better you will feel... Pam / Ft Worth....Bandster Bites [email protected]
   — pphillips4720aol.com

July 18, 2008
I am having gastric bypass aug 20th. I had my gallbladder removed 15 years ago when I was 24. It was done laproscopic. It was not a bad surgery at all but I was comparing it to a c-section!! I would not think the gallbladder removal would cause you any more pain or a longer hospital stay (mine I went home the next day). I really hope the gastric bypass I'm having next month will be similar to that gallbladder surgery!! If it is, ni worries!! And also I felt like a new person after the removal of the gallbladder! Felt much better! Good luck! Donna
   — writingmyway

July 18, 2008
I had mine out 8 weeks after my c-section, so I was going home to care for my 8 week old baby, whom I was nursing. I wasn't even in the hospital overnight, I rested the next day and really it wasn't all that bad. Gall bladder is in the general area of the other surgery (Upper Abdominal). I bet you will be fine. My best advice is to TAKE YOUR PAIN MEDS. It is much easier to keep pain away than it is to make it go away once it comes. Good Luck!
   — Shirley D.

July 18, 2008
I had my gall bladder removed in an open surgery - before laprascopic - 27 years ago. My lung collapsed post op - I weighed 290 lbs. and was very sick. I was in the hospital 10 days. My bypass surgery was uncomplicated - your gall bladder surgery along with you bypass should be too. Your stay in the hospital should be the same as for your bypass. We are so fortunate to be in the age of lapascopic surgery. Good luck and God Bless. Jane
   — NanaJane

July 18, 2008
As long as the surgeon is doing it at the same time as the bypass, it will not cause more pain or prolong your hospital stay. It is a very good thing that he discovered this problem now instead of afterwards in a painfull gall bladder attack and another surgery/recovery. The time is getting close isn't it my friend? Is it Tuesday? Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

July 18, 2008
I just had both done on June 26. Open RNY & Gallbladder removal. I had surgery on Thursday and went home Saturday, so 2 days total. I have never felt better, other then being tired all the time, which comes with the territory, but that gets better with each passing day. Just think, your getting it done all at once, so you wont have to go in for a second surgery. It's really a blessing. I've had no problems, and the best thing.....No More Gallbladder Pain!! Praise God! Best wishes to you for a quick recovery. I'll be praying for you. Blessings, Vicki
   — Jrsmomi

July 18, 2008
My surgeon wouldn't remove my gall bladder ( I had gallstones at the time of surgery) during my lap rny. I wish he had. You will not have the extra anestesia which is better. You may heal a little slower, but following doctors orders and walking is key. There are always risks involved. If you have had the double over pain my gall bladder was giving me, once you have the surgeries you will feel like a whole new person right away. It is amazing. For years I thought that the doubled over pain was indigestion and the fact that I was obese. Now I have come to find out I was having gallbladder attacks for over 4 years! Stick to your guns and this will all work out. Best of luck and keep me posted on how things go. Tracy
   — heartsablaze

July 18, 2008
Nope! You won't even know the difference, wish they had done me that way! When you recover and begin eating tho just watch those fats! They don't get broken down the same and can cause Diarreah. good luck!
   — lesleigh07

July 19, 2008
I have heard that it is a lucky thing to have your gallballdder out with RNY surgery, because if you are prone to gallstones anyway...it's gonna save you so much pain and a surgery later down the line anyway! Gallstones are VERY common in RNYers later anyhow...So you are lucky they caught this early!
   — .Anita R.

July 19, 2008
Many of the sergeons do the Gall Blatter removal during the WLS, and there is no difference in the hospital and recovery time. Just a little longer in surgery.
   — William (Bill) wmil

July 19, 2008
I had RNY surgery 8/22/2006. I had a hernea repair and also had my gall bladder removed. I was told when they did a scan of my gallbladder, I had 2 small stones. They removed it when they did the RNY surgery. I had no pain at all post-op, you should'nt have to stay any longer in the hospital, not more than a couple of days. Peggy
   — DBlazer325

July 19, 2008
I'm glad you asked about this, you actually beat me to the punch. My clinic always takes the gall bladder if there are stones and, as luck would have it, I have them-- so I'm in the same boat. Have been told it won't make a difference though, so no worries. Best of luck with your surgery!
   — snickersblk

July 21, 2008
I imagine it will be easier on you to have them both done at once, though I don't know from experience. I would recommend though, if you have a recliner or something similar to try to sleep in it the first few days home. It made my gallbladder surgery recovery much easier than when I tried to sleep in the bed. Good luck!
   — lyonsrnp

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