Question:
Gallbladder removed?

Why is it that a lot of people that have a Gastric bypass also have their gallbladder removed?    — Mini Gadget (posted on September 29, 2003)

September 29, 2003
I don't know why that is but in my case I simply didn't know I had stones. I had no indications of a gall bladder problem until the ultrasound showed stones. My doctor said by taking it out now I was saving myself a surgery later.
   — Stacey W.

September 29, 2003
Well I'm not a doctor, but I believe the reason they do that is because many obese people have gallbladder problems due to their weight problem. My surgeon said that once he opened me up that he would look at my gallbladder and if it looked bad he would remove it and if it was fine he would leave it. well, after surgery my doc said my gallbladder was "forming crystals on it" which I guess is a precursor to gallstones and/or gallbladder trouble, so he took it out and saved me from having to have another surgery in a year or two.
   — beeda

September 29, 2003
Hi Bridget Ann- I have heard that many of us who have a history of losing and then regaining weight are more susceptible to gallstones. I think some people don't realize they have stones until the surgeon does the ultrasound. Good Luck, Mea :o)
   — Mea A.

September 29, 2003
I saw something posted on Aetna's website that states there is an approximate 30% chance of developing gallstones within the first year after WLS, so they approve the gall bladder removal with the WLS in order to prevent a future surgery.
   — emtp435

September 29, 2003

   — Jazzy