Regional custom and/or state law?? really??

[synergistic1 0]

Hey, I hope someone can help me out here, because I don't think my surgeon is being on the up and up with me....

As part of the pre-op screening, they checked for gall stones, and found some (I did not get to see the ultrasound, so I have to at least trust they are there!), so are recommending to remove the gallbladder as a prerequisite for getting the band. As in, 2 separate surgeries.

Surgeon said that he doesn't do them together because "that's how they do it in the mid-west and that's why they have more complications than I do" and also said that if I keep my gallbladder, get the band, and down the line have to remove the gallbladder, they will have to also remove the band per state law, and I will need a 3rd surgery later for a new one.

I have read so many people getting the surgeries done together, or, if they have gallstones later they keep their band. I have never as far as I know had symptoms, so I am wary of removing my gallbladder at this moment in time.

I actually had another surgeon suggest this guy wanted to do them separately so he can bill the insurance twice!! Wow.

Anyway, is there truth to any of this, or do surgeons here A)do a gallbladder surgery at the same time, and B)do it while your lap band stays put??

Thanks!

[njm 0]

I knew I needed my gall bladder removed, but did the band first so I could lose some weight before gall bladder surgery. My doctor wouldn't do them together - to high risk for infection. They will do bypass and fell bladder together. I did my lap band last August and my gall bladder in November. He did not remove my band - that's just plain silly.