Gallstone attack with the Lapband??

[candieee1974 0]

Hi everyone!! I was dx with having gallstones before I even had the lapband put in which was 5/10...my concern and question is if anyone has had an attack when they lost their weight? I am trying to be so happy about my weight loss, but I constantly wonder in the back of my mind, if this weight loss could trigger an attack! I've never had symptoms at all and I know I shouldn't worry, but I want to know if anyone out there has had an attack or not after reaching their goal? Or, if you've had an attack, how much weight did you loose before getting one?? And where you eating greasy foods? Thank you so much in advance for your input!! I really appreciate it!!!!

Concerned bander

[Machine2240 0]

Hello Candiee,

I did have some major complications with my Gall Blatter after losing about 40 lbs, although I wasn't eating greasy food. After some research I found that lapband in many cases has pushed Gall Blatters over the edge. My symtoms started out as lower back pain and as I ignored it, it got SIGNIFICANTLY worse. I ignored it for a long time suffering in silence until it was completely unbearable and told my surgeon about it. Once I explained my symtoms to him, he scheduled first a ultra sound an then emergency removal surgery because he was worried I was on the brink of sepsis. If you are having pain spare yourself and dont wait...

[Princess_Gottalose 1]

I agree if you are having pain dont wait!!! I actually (about 2 weeks ago) was having a dull pain in my right side and it went to my shoulder... Then i started throwing up and couldnt keep anything down! My lap band dr was in surgery so they sent me to the er and BAM did an ultra sound and I had gall stones... Needless to say I just had my gall bladder remove this past Tuesday and he said it was very infected and inflamed... He did take all of the Fluid out of my band to give me time to heal... So no I dont have ANY restriction :blink: which sucks!.....I wish they had taken it out at the time of surgery... The anesthesiologist told me while he was discussing putting me to sleep that lap band and gall bladder issues seem to go hand in hand. I wont have any fluid put back in the band till June 2nd when I go for my 2 week post op appointment... He said being over weight and then loosing a lot of weight can really contribute to the gall stones....

[LapBandBobbi 8]

I just went to my doc yesterday for a routine followup and have been having back and side pains along with acid reflux. He sent me over for an ultrasound and I should get the results back today. I was banded over 1.5 years ago. I am just hoping it's not severe enough to have to come out yet. He did give me a prescription for Nexium for the acid reflux. I was glad he didn't think it was band related. I was worried about having Fluid taken out of the band. I didn't think to ask him about gall bladder surgery and if they need to take fluid out at that time. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[jingleboob 5]

I started having gallbladder trouble after losing about 50 pounds on Nutrisystem several years ago... that was PAIN! When I had it taken out the surgeon told me I was a prime candidate for gallstones... I had recently lost a significant amount of weight... birth controll pills... being a woman... and family history of gb disease. If it hurts, get it out. I had many episodes laying in pain on the floor thinking I had just overdone it on the abs at the gym before I knew what was really going on.

[spoiltmom 44]

A friend of mine that was banded over a year ago is having her gallbladder removed tomorrow. Her weight loss has caused horrible gallbladder attacks. Luckily she works at our surgeons office so she gets awesome immediate and free care. Our surgeon said it's very typical to have gallstones and gallbladder attacks after losing a significant amount of weight.

[collins33 2]

I guess I was lucky in a way that my doctor saw that I had gall stones before my band. So a month before I had my band I got my gall bladder removed. Candieeee I'm kind of surprise your doc didn't suggest to take your bladder out before your band. My doc wouldn't even do my band unless I took care of the stones first just to make sure I wouldn't have complications down the road. Well I hope things get better for you.

[candieee1974 0]

I guess I was lucky in a way that my doctor saw that I had gall stones before my band. So a month before I had my band I got my gall bladder removed. Candieeee I'm kind of surprise your doc didn't suggest to take your bladder out before your band. My doc wouldn't even do my band unless I took care of the stones first just to make sure I wouldn't have complications down the road. Well I hope things get better for you.

Wow, now i'm really scared My surgeon told me that he wouldn't take it out at the same time as the band bcuz of the increase risk of infection. He also said if i'm not having any problems or symptoms then I should leave it in, which sucks bcuz now it will always be on my mind...I use to take Vitamins and xtra Vitamin D and fish oil which i'm looking forward to starting again soon, I heard that the fish oil helps with preventing attacks. Thank you all for your responses!! I appreciate it!!

[LapBandBobbi 8]

Well, I got my results back today and I definately have gall stones. The doc said it would only get worse. I don't need immediate surgery, but I will need it sometime. I'm hoping to put it of 6-8 weeks, but I guess I'll just have to wait to see if it gets worse

[candieee1974 0]

Well, I got my results back today and I definately have gall stones. The doc said it would only get worse. I don't need immediate surgery, but I will need it sometime. I'm hoping to put it of 6-8 weeks, but I guess I'll just have to wait to see if it gets worse

Oh no!! So sorry to hear that!! Are you having symptoms now? I'm praying that I never have symptoms ever! I don't want to take it out if I don't have too... Good luck to you!!

[bentonhuey 1]

I am sorry you have gall stones. I feel very fortunate that my doctor ordered an ultrasound before LB surgery & took out my gall bladder while putting my band in. He makes it a practice to remove diseased gall bladders during LB surgery (if at all possible) because he knows it's a matter of time before it has to come out & one surgery is better than two.

I suffered for years feeling crummy and in serious pain (at times) and I'll tell you, LB surgery was great, but having no gall bladder has been fantastic. I never realized how bad I felt before. If your surgeon wants to take yours out, I say the sooner the better. It was definitely worth it (& more).

[mattie7632 24]

Wow, the sad thing here is that gall stones can be flushed from the body, naturally.

[Melissannde 41]

I'm with Mattie.. there are non-surgical treatments for gall bladder problems.

[honk 780]

I had my gallbladder out after loosing about 100 pounds when I was 19. Once you have a really serious attack you will be ready to have it out. Excrutiating!

[Wheeler5051 0]

At my first post-op oppointment, my surgeon gave me a prescription to start taking that prevents gall stones. He said that it really helps prevent them from forming at all. You may want to ask your doctor about this. I wasn't happy to have to take another pill, but much better than getting gall stones!