Question:
Why do 1/3 WLS patients develop gallstones post-op?

Last night I read somewhere that 1/3 of WLS patients develop gallstones post-op. Does anyone know why? Can anything be done to prevent them?    — Marrilee M. (posted on October 12, 2003)

October 12, 2003
I think it has something to do with the rapid weight loss, most MD's if dont take your gallbladder out, prescribe a medication called actigall, to help your gallbladder not produce stones.
   — ~~Stacie~~

October 12, 2003
1/3? Much higher! Part of it is rapid wt loss, but part is the malabsorption of fats/oils. But, hey, the bright side is that it's doomed, either way. Diet the wt off, it goes. Stay heavy, it goes. Lives next door to the pancreas and that thing does NOT like us and is kinda what exactly our disease is all about.
   — vitalady

October 12, 2003
Our experience in our support group has been a little less than 20% of RNY patients experience gall bladder disease (which is about the same percentage found among others who have experienced rapid weight loss). Of this less than 20%, not all will require gall bladder removal. Because the gall bladder does assist in the processing of fats, it makes more sense to leave it in unless gall bladder disease arises and is unresponsive to non-surgical treatments. Some people take bilesalts to stave off gall bladder problems-- however, it is a very expensive supplement and not guaranteed to necessarily prevent gall bladder problems; so, given the better than 80% chance that a RNY patient will not require gall bladder surgery, some doctors have asserted that the bile salts are not worth the cost.
   — SteveColarossi

October 13, 2003
Fast weight loss seems to put a gall bladder in the hopper... which is why my doc had ultra sound done on me before surgery... when he saw a few stones he pulled it out at the same time to prevent future issues. GOOD LUCK!
   — colette73