Question:
Why not take out appendix when in surgery

Several individuals have ask if I will have my appendix taken out along with gallbladder removal and gastric bypass surgery. Any insights on this?    — Lisa Marie D. (posted on August 26, 2001)

August 26, 2001
During surgery if your doctor find both organs are healthy, why remove them?
   — [Anonymous]

August 26, 2001
some dr's automatically remove the gallbladder because there is a high probability that with your rapid weight loss you will get stones and need it out anyway. However there is no effect on the appendix and a dr cannot remove an organ unless it is diseased or causing a problem.
   — paula B.

August 26, 2001
There is a very high probability of gallstones when you lose weight rapidly. A healthy gallbladder at surgery time is no guarantee that you wouldn't develop gallstones. Some surgeons remove the appendix and/or the gallbladder during WLS to automatically rule out either as the cause of post-op abdominal pain.
   — [Anonymous]

August 26, 2001
Paula - my surgeon routinely removes the appendix as part of the WLS. As another poster noted, it serves no purpose, and can then be ruled out if there is any subsequent abdominal problem. -Kate-
   — kateseidel

August 26, 2001
I think it has to do with where the appendix is located. Your incision is from your breast bone to belly button. The appendix is in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen - much lower than the area where they are operating. It would probably mean a much longer incision. The gallbladder is usually only removed if there is a problem found during surgery. Most surgeons will not remove a healthy organ.
   — georgiacarol

August 26, 2001
My surgeon does not routinely remove either organ during WLS. Pre-op we are given an ultrasound of the gall bladder and if no problems are discovered, then he leaves it. When I asked him why he wouldn't take it out "just in case", he said that the hospital and insurance company frown upon surgeons removing healthy organs. After the surgery, the organs are tested or biopsied, and it would be obvious that there was nothing wrong with them. I am sure this would pertain to the appendix as well.
   — Shelley.