Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Gallbladder Removal after LB



Recommended Posts

How many banders have had to have their gallbladder removed after banding or losing a ton of weight. I have lost 96lbs in the last 14 months and now have to have it US and tested tomorrow cause of some minor irritation. I was just curious because I did some research on it and its common.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in the process of having my gall bladder investigated...I've had two attacks that were not my heart (was tested). I'm in Canada though so there is a long wait for the ultrasound (May 19th).

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my GB removed after losing over 100 pounds when I was 19 (22 years ago). You're lucky that you are only having mild pains. It certainly helps if you are eating a VERY low fat diet. A full blown attack is debilitating! Can hardly stand let alone breath. They now do GB removal laproscopicly like the band so a lot less invasive. If you need surgery get it done now. Sooner or later you will have a bad attack. My mother compares a bad GB attack to like labor pains only in a different location.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It happens after losing a lot of weight too fast.

I had mine taken out about 10 years ago, it happened after a major weight loss.

Eat carefully, like honk said, fatty foods will cause an attack.

My grandmother had told me at the time that the pain was worse than labor.

The surgery is no biggy. Laproscopically, in and out and done.

It took me about a week to recover.

feel better

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's very common with weightloss period, not specifically banding. Little gall bladder doesn't know what to do with itself anymore and freaks out on you. I'd estimate about 90% of bandsters I know or "know" had their GBs out post-banding.

My GB came out almost exactly 18 mos after band went in.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Can someone explain where the pain is and how it feels?

I woke up this morning, and it hurts to take deep breaths. My left side as started hurting as well like just to the left of my belly button. I'm scared my band slipped or something else is going on.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't equate pain to band slippage. Most slips don't know they've slipped aside from changes in restriction (or nothing).

GB symptoms are different for different people. Mine was atypical and would be a moderate combination of ache & nausea that moved around between my breastbone and belly button. I could function through it, but could not ignore it. It would usually wake me up around 1am, and continue for 6 - 10 hours.

My mother's symptoms were much more typical, and she would compare it to heart attack (since she's never had a heart attack, I'm not sure how valid that is, but it gives you an idea of the location and/or pain levels). They're often mistaken for heart attacks.

When my cousin had his first GB attack, he thought something ruptured and called 911.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't equate pain to band slippage. Most slips don't know they've slipped aside from changes in restriction (or nothing).

GB symptoms are different for different people. Mine was atypical and would be a moderate combination of ache & nausea that moved around between my breastbone and belly button. I could function through it, but could not ignore it. It would usually wake me up around 1am, and continue for 6 - 10 hours.

My mother's symptoms were much more typical, and she would compare it to heart attack (since she's never had a heart attack, I'm not sure how valid that is, but it gives you an idea of the location and/or pain levels). They're often mistaken for heart attacks.

When my cousin had his first GB attack, he thought something ruptured and called 911.

Thank you for your help.

I don't know what is going on, but it hurts when I take a deep breath, and when I swallow anything (Water, etc.). I wasn't like this last night when I went to bed. It just started when I awoke this morning. If it continues, I will call the doctor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

According to my surgeon 20% of lap band patients require gallbladder removal within 18 months of surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am only 4 months out of my LB and I have been having gall bladder symptoms for about a month. I have a semi-severe pain in my right side especially after I eat a "large" meal (which is hardly large). Deep breaths hurt and last night for several hours, I had pain in the middle of my back. I have an ultrasound scheduled for this Friday.

I'm annoyed and feeling negative because I've been doing good with my weight loss - not too fast, concentrating on eating a healthy diet, exercising 7 hours a week, etc. And now this.

Sigh.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I thankfully only had to suffer threw 2 gallbladder attacks, the were 2 days in a row, & had an ultradound the second one. I had an ultrasound on a monday & was in surgery @ 10 on wednesday! I knew the surgeon personally so thay helps greatly ;) U will so much better with it out! Plus your diet will improve b/c you'll b able to tolerate high Fiber foods again... Hang in there!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Goyafigs

      I had VSG 11.20.24 with Miguel Burch, MD Cedars-Sinai and I am 1 month post-op. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • DaisyChainOz

      🥳 Jan 1 2025 - Day 1 of Pre Op, surgery on the 16th! 😬😅
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×