Question:
I had my gallbladder removed. Can I still have my WLS done Lap?

I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopic ten years ago. I'm wondering if I will still be able to have my weighloss surgery done laparoscopic? I've read where people on this board wasn't able to due to scaring. That's the only surgery I've ever had and was hoping that someone here has had their gallbladder removed and still had the Lap surgery??? I have two upcoming appointments for consultations...One with a DR that does only open and the other with a DR that does the Lap. I am hoping to get some info where I can cancel one. Thanks a bunch! Josii    — meltedbuttr (posted on October 15, 2002)

October 15, 2002
Hello Josii, I had my gallbladder removed two yrs ago and I was also concerned about lap rny. When I saw my surgeon, he asked me about it and said that because I had gallbladder surgery laporoscopic, that this is actually a plus and puts me in a good position to have it done lap. My surgeon prefers the lap rny, and he said that the incisions will not interfere with the previous gallbladder surgery since they will be on the other side. So there is a good chance that this will work in your favor. I would talk it over with your surgeon. Hope this helps!
   — Christine F.

October 15, 2002
I had my gall bladder remover lap in 1998. I am about 3 weeks post-op from this surgery and I had it done lap without any trouble. I had 2 gall bladder scars on my right side and one about 2 inches below my breast in the center and another around my belly button. The gastric surgery marks didnt go anywhere near these. If you had your gall bladder done lap you should be ok but I ask the surgeon what he thinks.
   — Debbie W.

October 15, 2002
My husband and I have both had gall bladder surgery and then several years later had lap RNY surgery. My gallbladder surgery was "open", and his was lap. Our surgeon specializes in lap WLS, and had no problems performing a lap RNY on either of us. I had a lot of adhesions (scar tissue) from my gall bladder surgery, and he simply removed all the adhesions during my lap RNY. Best wishes!
   — Diana T.

October 15, 2002
I had my gallbladder removed in Jan 2002 and WLS in Sept 2002. Both surgeries were done lap. My surgeon said that there wasn't a problem doing the new surgery.
   — Christine C.

October 15, 2002
I had my gall bladder removed lap in June...and am having Lap RNY on Monday. Not a problem -- surgeon even said he could use some of the same ports! Good luck.
   — Tamara K.

October 16, 2002
Hi, I just had surgery last Thursday. I had my gallbladder out years ago. My surgeon did do it lap..but it took him 5 hours due to all the adhesions. Best of luck to you..let me know how you make out! xo
   — Marlene U.