Question:
Why do some sergeons leave gallbladder and some remove it?

I believe my surgeon leaves the gallbladder unless he sees a current reason to remove it. My concern is that I see many people that end up having it removed later. Which is better?    — [Anonymous] (posted on December 6, 2001)

December 6, 2001
I'm not sure but I think it has something to do with a surgeons code of ethics. If the organ is healthy, then it's not ethical to remove it. That is why most surgeons do the gal bladder ultrasound. Not everyone needs it removed after weightloss ......so why fix it if it ain't broke?
   — [Anonymous]

December 6, 2001
That is exactly what my surgeon told me when I asked if it could be removed by request. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. There is probably only a small percentage that have gallbladder troubles after WLS, so it is probably better to let it remain unless there is a problem with it. Your surgeon should have a gallbladder ultrasound done for you to check its current health.
   — Cheri M.

December 6, 2001
The reason why they may take it out during surgery if it is completely filled with stones and you are already having problems related to it. If they leave it, yes you will probably have to have it removed anyway because of the massive change your body is going through following the surgery (rapid weight loss). That's fine to have it removed at a later date because then you can have your tummy tuck done at the same time and since most insurances won't cover for a tummy tuck, the surgeon will be billing under gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) and you can a tummy tuck at the same time. Good luck. (RNY 60" distal 08/28/01 -57 lbs)
   — trtorrey

December 7, 2001
Not only is it not ethical to remove a healthy organ, but the insurance company won't pay for it.
   — [Anonymous]

December 7, 2001
Actually, you may not get a choice. The whole gall bladder thing varies from doctor to doctor. Some don't want to take it unless there are stones. Others don't want to leave it to chance as it may impede recovery. I don't think one way is necessarily better than the other. Of course, I had my gall bladder taken out in Feb and I am pre-op. And insurance companies WILL pay for it, even if there are no stones if there is a valid reason. The whole healthy organ thing doesn't work. Most insurance companies will NOT pay for an appendectomy if someone has been operated on in the pelvis or abdomen in the past and the doc left it in. Ask your doc which method he uses and why. Explain your concerns to him and he should be able to put your worries to rest.
   — Tina P.

December 7, 2001
I am pre-op and wasn't too happy when I heard my surgeon removes the gallbladder. The thing is, I hear a fairly large number (upwards of 1/3) or people who have WLS eventually have to have their gallbladder removed anyway. So I think it's playing the odds, really. Have it removed during WLS, or have a chance of a second surgery later. From what I have heard, people who keep their gallbladder take medications to lessen the possibility of of gall stones post-op, so do talk to your surgeon about this. I almost wish I could make my surgeon let me keep mine just to see if I would be okay. I think I can live with it though.
   — [Anonymous]