Sleeve/gallbladder Out Vs. Not Same Time-- Recovery And Other Things

[Marty McSkinnystein 342]

Based on all I heard and read it seems people might have a harder time who have GB out at same time as sleeve surgery. I have large gallstones. I got freaked out because one, only 1, post in my search said that their surgeon said removal of gallstones at same time could be bad in case GB breaks open spilling contents causing infecting..yuck...I want to believe that's inaccurate info. that never happens with an experienced surgeon.

Could it also be that if your GB is very large and being pulled through the small hole that would make healing longer.

I've also wondered what the difference will be since I suffered for so long with the stones. How will I know what "symptoms" are due to not having GB vs. getting the sleeve.

I have a friend who can't eat tuna or mayo since no GB...so if that's me how would I know if that was the no GB or the sleeve.

These are the newest cuckoo thoughts in my brain.

[Marty McSkinnystein 342]

Sorry posted twice-- don't know how to remove one.

[notime 340]

I don't know the answer to most of your questions so I won't venture a guess. I do wonder, though, if it makes a difference to know which changes are due to the gall bladder removal and which are due to the sleeve. They are both permanent and we have to accept what comes with that. That said, I had my gall bladder removed some years before my sleeve surgery and experienced no changes whatsoever.

[Marty McSkinnystein 342]

You're right and I shouldn't "borrow trouble" (also I'm not changing my mind about it anyway).

I know there are some people here who are into comparing anecdotal things people say and I wondered if anyone studied that connection or found a correlation. I'm a person who reads the huge prescription inserts for example...so those kind of nerdy non-medical medical people (like me) might have ideas.

I'll tell you- it will be a relief either way to not get the gallbladder symptoms.

Maybe I'll find the pain of this to be less than that of my attacks.

(But I would love to be able to eat eggs again).

[notime 340]

You'll do fine and there is not always a lot of pain. Those eggs will be on your plate before you know it!

[CamarilloCA 41]

My gall bladder came out during laparoscopic surgery at the same time that my lap band went in four years ago. They took it out as a precaution because apparently you can get more gallstones once you switch to a low fat diet. The bile that is made by the gall bladder is for digestion fat, and if there is less fat to digest, it can build up and turn to sludge and form stones. That is the explanation that they gave me anyway.

I noticed no change, and because I could not eat lowfat healthy foods with the band, I opted for higher calorie/higher fat foods just so I could have some food that would stay down and help my hunger. I used to slather mayo on everything as dry anything would come right back up within seconds.

I think you are better off without your gallbladder with your weight loss surgery. I experienced some discomfort after they took it out, but the whole recovery for the gall bladder/lap band surgery wasn't more than about a week of taking it easy.

If you have a choice, I would highly recommend having it done all at once so you have one surgery instead of two, one anesthesia, one hospital stay, etc.

[Ready4success 380]

I'm an OR nurse so I'll always tell the truth about what goes on in surgery. Do gallbladders sometimes tear and spill yucky bile inside the abdomen during surgery? Yes, it happens all the time. When it does happen, the surgeon irrigates the entire cavity to the point that it's all washed out and the Fluid including the bile is sucked out. Honestly, it's in the patient's best interest to remove the gallbladder during WLS surgery, because they're usually back in surgery within 6 mos because of gallbladder pain. The only bariatric surgeon I've ever worked with that didn't remove the gallbladder during WLS knew the patients would be coming back, and it would be more money in his pocket for the additional surgery. Tell your surgeon you would like your gallbladder removed, and they'll usually do it unless the insurance company lists it as an exclusion during WLS. Good Luck!

[Marty McSkinnystein 342]

Yes, the plan has always been to do it...just curious when I heard that scariness about infection- but you made that so understandable about how it's dealt with and I'm at ease now. Thanks!